The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Fellowship Engagement Assistant to join our team in the Fellowship & Development Directorate, providing key support in the delivery of Fellowship engagement and election cycle.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The role

Join the Fellowship team at the British Academy in a varied role supporting Fellowship engagement and events, communication, and helping the run the busy and friendly Fellowship office.

As the Fellowship Engagement Assistant, you will work directly with Fellows and colleagues across the Academy, helping deliver a responsive and well-organised programme. You will have an interest in the humanities or social sciences and be able to juggle a variety of practical and administrative tasks, communicate clearly, manage deadlines and work collaboratively, using initiative and knowing when to seek guidance.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Fellowship elections

• Support the Fellowship Manager and Fellowship Officers with administrative aspects of the Fellowship elections process, including contributing to the collation of Sections paperwork

2. Fellowship engagement

• Support the Fellowship Engagement Manager with running Fellowship engagement events, including liaising with Fellows, room bookings, invitations, tracking attendance, dietary and accessibility requirements, catering, name badges

• Contribute to Fellowship communications as directed by the Fellowship Engagement Manager, but could include drafting content, editing documents

• Act as primary point of contact for the Fellowship email inbox, redirecting queries as needed, and passing on feedback to relevant teams, chasing and tracking responses

• Update Fellows Portal as required

3. Fellowship governance

• Support across the Fellowship Team with committee planning as required, including room bookings, meeting invites, dietary and accessibility requirements, RSVPs, minutes

4. Fellowship data and information

• Support the maintenance of the Salesforces CRM system by updating Fellows records

• Maintain accurate Sharepoint folders and files, so information is easily accessible

• Process Fellowship subscriptions and travel claims, plus other expenses as arise

• Handle Fellowship post to the Academy

5. Directorate activities

• Contribute to other related projects, tasks and responsibilities on behalf of the Fellowship Team and Fellowship and Development Directorate as reasonably requested.

 Key Stakeholders

Internal:

All Academy Teams/Directorates, Vice Presidents, Section Chairs, Fellows

External:

Other Academies

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience of working in a demanding and varied administrative or events role

• Experience in running meetings and committees

• Experience of communicating effectively with staff across departments and at all levels of seniority

• Experience of using CRM systems

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support and using initiative

• Communicates effectively both internally and externally

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Makes suggestions for improving the way things are done

• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop, and is quick in picking up new tasks

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Takes ownership of tasks and prioritises tasks to meet deadlines, monitoring progress effectively

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input as needed

• Evaluates and reflects on plans and delivery and applies learning to future planning

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Identifies problems and opportunities, acting on them with a proactive, can-do attitude

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

• Takes a flexible approach to their work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application questions.

Applications will be assessed in two stages. We will first review and shortlist candidates based on their CVs. Following this, the application questions of shortlisted candidates will be reviewed and scored to determine who progresses to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that we use AI screening software to identify responses that have been copied from AI sources and are not your own work.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 23 November 2026, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 10/11 December 2026, but this may be subject to change.