Responsibilities

• lead a newly formed communications function at a pivotal moment for ARU. As the University launches its new 10-year strategy on 1 September, we are bringing together specialist communications teams under a new leadership structure to deliver a more strategic, audience-focused and integrated approach to communications across the institution.
• provide leadership for staff, student, leadership, research and innovation, and media communications, ensuring our communications activity supports institutional priorities, strengthens engagement, enhances reputation and delivers measurable impact.
• play a key role in shaping how communications operates across the University and how we engage with our diverse audiences.
• Leading a newly established team of communications professionals, you will bring together expertise from internal communications, research and innovation communications, and media relations to create a high-performing, collaborative service.
• set standards, establish ways of working, embed planning and governance processes, and create a culture of continuous improvement that enables the team to deliver excellent outcomes and trusted advice across the institution.
• work closely with senior leaders across ARU, providing expert communications counsel, shaping institutional narratives and ensuring our communications are informed by audience needs and insight.
• oversee communications planning across a complex portfolio of activities, while also playing a key role in reputation management, issues management and crisis communications.

Requirements

• an experienced communications leader with a strong track record of delivering strategic communications in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• experience leading teams through change
• developing high-performing communications functions
• influencing senior stakeholders
• vision, credibility and collaborative leadership needed to build a new team, establish trusted partnerships and create a communications service that helps deliver ARU's strategic ambitions.

Benefits

• We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package.