Communications Manager, External Affairs

Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at the NUS Career Portal. Please note your application will only be processed if you apply via NUS Career Portal.

NUS Career Portal link: https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Communications-Manager%2C-External-Affairs/33764-en_GB/

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) stands at the forefront of public policy education and research in Asia. We are a vibrant community of scholars, practitioners, and students dedicated to shaping a better future by addressing critical challenges facing Singapore, Asia, and beyond.

We're looking for an experienced communications professional to help amplify that impact. This is a role where strong writing, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex research into compelling narratives will make a real difference.

The Role

You'll join our Communications team, within the larger External Affairs department, with responsibility across media relations, content development, digital channels, and brand. This means securing meaningful media coverage, producing high-quality editorial content, managing digital campaigns, and ensuring consistency in how we present ourselves to the world.

You'll report to the Head of Communications as a senior individual contributor, working alongside colleagues in the Communications team and collaborating closely with faculty, senior leadership, and colleagues across the School. The work is varied. From pitching faculty commentary to major outlets and drafting thought leadership articles, to managing social media campaigns and coordinating production of institutional publications.

This role suits someone who is an accomplished writer and editor, comfortable working with academics, able to identify compelling story angles, and effective at managing multiple projects independently.

What You'll Do

Media Relations & Press Strategy

Lead media engagement to secure coverage across local, regional, and international outlets. Identify story angles, pitch proactively to journalists, and build relationships that lead to sustained, quality coverage. Position faculty experts for interviews and commentary, draft press materials, and prepare spokespeople for media engagements. Monitor peer institution positioning to identify opportunities for differentiation.

Editorial & Content Development

Conceive, commission, write, and edit thought leadership articles, research commentaries, faculty op-eds, institutional reports, newsletters, and executive communications. Work closely with academics to translate technical policy research into clear, compelling narratives that maintain intellectual rigour. Manage editorial calendar, coordinate production of key publications, and contribute to the development of content frameworks and institutional messaging.

Digital & Multimedia Content

Develop and manage content across digital channels - podcasts, videos, infographics, and social media - that make complex policy ideas accessible and engaging. You'll conceive content strategy and coordinate production, working with designers, videographers, and external vendors as needed. Plan and execute campaigns across social media, email, and paid channels. Oversee website copy for accuracy and brand alignment. Coordinate with departments on digital initiatives supporting student recruitment, alumni relations, executive education, and research visibility. Use analytics to measure performance and inform strategy.

Brand & Strategic Support

Support maintenance and application of our editorial voice, brand identity, and messaging standards. Develop toolkits and templates that enable colleagues to communicate clearly and consistently. Provide editorial guidance and support to faculty, colleagues, and students. Track media coverage and audience engagement, analyse trends, and prepare reports with actionable recommendations for senior leadership. Support major School events through promotion, content capture, and post-event amplification.

Qualifications

• Degree in Communications, Journalism, Media, English, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field (postgraduate qualification is an advantage).
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in communications, journalism, editorial production, or public relations, with demonstrated ability to lead projects from conception to completion and manage multiple workstreams.
• Experience in higher education, public policy, government, think tanks, or research-intensive environments is strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional writing and editing across formats - press releases, thought leadership articles, social media, research commentaries. Your portfolio should demonstrate range, clarity, and the ability to adapt voice and tone for different audiences.
• Proven media relations skills with ability to identify newsworthy angles, build journalist relationships, and secure coverage in competitive media environments.
• Strong editorial judgment to assess and improve content for accuracy, narrative structure, and audience fit, with ability to provide clear, constructive feedback to faculty, and colleagues.
• Digital proficiency with social media management, CMS, email marketing, and SEO/SEM. Comfortable with analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics, media monitoring platforms) and interpreting data to inform strategy.
• Project management capability with track record of managing concurrent workstreams, coordinating across teams and vendors, and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Multimedia content experience with podcasts, video, photography, or infographics. Working knowledge of design tools (e.g. Canva or Adobe Creative Suite).
• Experience supporting senior leadership communications, speeches, stakeholder engagement, or crisis communications is highly valued.

Why join LKYSPP

LKYSPP operates at the intersection of rigorous academic research and real-world policy impact. Our faculty's work influences government policy, shapes public discourse, and contributes to solving some of the region's most pressing challenges.

For the right candidate, this role offers:

• The opportunity to work with leading policy scholars whose research has genuine regional impact, at a time of growth and momentum for the School.
• Substantive subject matter spanning climate, governance, technology, geopolitics, and public management.
• Scope to develop your strategic capabilities and shape communications for a prominent regional institution.
• Exposure to high-level policy debates and access to build relationships across Singapore's media and policy landscape.
• The autonomy to lead projects and the support of a collaborative team.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in LKYSPP, and writing samples or a portfolio demonstrating your range and capability.

We place significant weight on the quality of written work in our assessment.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.