Digit Research Communications & Impact Manager(UK Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Role

The University of Sussex Business School, in collaboration with the ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit), is seeking a Research Communications & Impact Manager to lead the centre’s communications, engagement, and impact strategy.

Digit is a major UK research initiative exploring how digital transformation is reshaping work, employment, and organisational practice. The Centre brings together leading universities and policy partners to generate evidence that informs government, business, trade unions, and civil society.

In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that Digit’s research reaches the right audiences and delivers measurable impact across policy and practice. You will work closely with academics, policymakers, and external partners to translate complex research into accessible and influential outputs.

This role aligns with UK priorities around digital innovation, labour markets, and research impact

What You’ll Be Doing

You will lead the development and delivery of Digit’s communications and impact strategy, ensuring research outputs are visible, accessible, and influential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and delivering the Centre’s communications and engagement strategy
  Managing impact reporting and tracking research influence
  Leading stakeholder engagement across academic, policy, and industry networks
  Organising and delivering high-profile research events and forums
  Translating complex research findings into clear, engaging content
  Supporting collaboration across partner universities and organisations
  Strengthening relationships with external stakeholders including policy bodies and industry groups

You will play a central role in ensuring research is not only produced but actively used to inform decision-making and practice.

About You

You are an experienced communications or engagement professional with a strong interest in research and evidence-based policy.

You should bring:

• Experience in research communications, knowledge exchange, or public engagement
  Strong ability to translate complex academic work into accessible content
  Experience managing events, campaigns, or stakeholder programmes
  Excellent interpersonal and partnership-building skills
  Strong organisational and project management abilities
  A clear focus on delivering measurable impact

Familiarity with UK research impact frameworks will be useful

About Digit

• The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit) is a multi-university research centre jointly led by the University of Sussex Business School and Leeds University Business School, alongside partners including Cambridge, Manchester, Monash University, the Institute of Development Studies, and organisations such as FutureDotNow and the Institute for the Future of Work.

Digit explores how digital technologies are transforming work and employment, producing evidence to support better policy, business practice, and workforce outcomes.

The Centre also runs the Digit CoLab, a collaborative forum bringing together researchers and stakeholders to ensure research is shaped by and relevant to real-world needs.

Why Join Sussex

The University offers a collaborative and research-intensive environment set within a vibrant campus near the South Downs. Staff are supported to deliver high-impact work that influences policy and practice nationally and internationally.

You’ll be joining a forward-looking institution committed to innovation, sustainability, and societal impact.

Eligibility

• This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship
  Sponsorship depends on salary thresholds and eligibility criteria
  Work must be carried out within the UK

Key Dates

• Closing Date: 11 May 2026
  Start Date: As soon as possible
  Interview Date: To be confirmed

Additional Information

The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.