The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work Research (Digit) investigates the digital transformation of work and its implications for workers, employers, policymakers, trade unions and wider civil society.  Through our research, events, publications and engagement with policymakers, commercial and third sector organisations, we aim to inform key debates and provide essential evidence effective policy-making and organisational change.

Digit is now seeking an experienced Research Communications and Impact Manager, to manage, guide and deliver Centre’s impact-driven communications and engagement activities until the end of the grant (December 2029), in order to raise the profile and maximise engagement between Digit researchers and end users. As a senior member within the Digit management group, the post-holder will be responsible for creating and delivering the overall communications and impact strategy of the Centre, impact reporting, leading on stakeholder engagement, managing and tracking the Centre’s impact.

The successful candidate will be part of the Professional Services team, based at the University of Sussex. As Digit is a cross-institution research centre, jointly led by the Universities of Sussex and Leeds, you will also work closely with researchers based at our partner Universities, Cambridge, Manchester, Monash, and the Institute for Development Studies, and with our non-academic partners FutureDotNow and the Institue for the Future of Work.

The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit) was established in January 2020 with a five-year investment from the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council. The Centre has recently been awarded a further 5 years’ funding (2025-2029) to study the UK’s emerging digital work ecosystem.

Our academic research offers critical insights into the real world challenges, opportunities, risks and benefits of the ongoing digital transformation of work. We aim to generate new knowledge about the impacts of the transition on employers, workers, job-seekers and governments.

Digit is jointly led by the University of Sussex Business School and Leeds University Business School. We also have partners at the universities of Cambridge, Manchester and Monash, the Institute of Development of Studies, the Institute for the Future of Work, and FutureDotNow.

We aim to produce new evidence that can inform policy makers, businesses, trade unions and third sector organisations. Through our research-policy-practice forum, the Digit CoLab, we prioritise ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders in the digital work ecosystem. This both informs our research programme and enables stakeholders to benefit from emerging insights from our research.

About you

You will be an experienced communications professional with an interest in Digit’s research and higher education, a passion for delivering impact, with well-developed management and interpersonal skills. You will excel at building effective partnerships with key stakeholders and colleagues to support the delivery of impactful research.

You will have the skills to confidently manage a diverse portfolio of research‑related events ensuring they are well‑organised and professionally delivered. You will have excellent communication skills and should be impact‑focused, collaborative, and skilled at translating complex research into clear, accessible and engaging messages.