Head of Communications

Responsibilities

• Develop the strategic approach and have accountability for internal and student communications - defining objectives, priorities and measurable outcomes, ensuring meaningful and impactful engagement with staff and student audiences.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Internal Communications and Student Communications teams, building a high performing team culture, motivating and supporting them to thrive and successfully deliver against agreed objectives, and helping resolve complex issues and acting as a point of escalation
• Lead communications and engagement for large, complex cross-university projects, strategic change programmes, and initiatives which may have potential or actual negative and/or sensitive impacts
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic communications and engagement projects, campaigns and initiatives that achieve impact, targets and objectives to drive high levels of staff and student engagement, pride and advocacy
• Lead the approach to crisis and incident communications, ensuring plans, processes and protocols are in place and staff have the relevant training and support, and lead communications response during incidents
• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders at all levels, including providing strategic advice, guidance and support to the Vice-Chancellor, the University Executive Board and senior leadership on communications and engagement
• Collaborate, network and use effective professional relationships with peers and sector bodies in order to establish a leading role in staff and student engagement across the sector
• Ensure robust reporting mechanisms, evaluation and continual improvement plans are in place and use evidence, insight and feedback to identify and implement new opportunities for communications and improve service delivery
• Represent the University and Communications and External Relations (CER) on internal and external project teams, working groups and committees
• Manage resources, budget, external agencies and suppliers, using an evidenced based and evaluative approach, in order to maximise value for money for the University and impact in achieving against goals, targets and objectives

Requirements

• Have a good honours degree in Communications or a related subject or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable experience of leading strategic staff and/or student communications and engagement within a large, complex organisation
• Significant knowledge of communications and engagement, including an in-depth understanding of staff and student audiences and their needs
• Experience in leading, implementing and evaluating communications and engagement for large, complex cross-university projects, strategic change programmes and integrated communications campaigns
• Demonstrable experience leading and managing individuals and teams, with the required strengths, motivation and engagement to thrive and perform to the highest standard
• Ability to provide specialist knowledge, guidance and support to colleagues relating to communications, engagement and reputation including in times of crisis/incidents and change
• A confident and influential communicator, able to develop relationships and build trust and credibility, including at the most senior level
• Be able to work with a high level of autonomy and think and act strategically and with sound judgement to formulate plans and proposals and implement with speed and pace
• Demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality at all times
• Ability to independently propose and implement improvements to processes and tasks and service delivery, using evidence and insight

Preferred

• Knowledge and experience of the Higher Education sector, including its culture, priorities, areas of strength and future challenges.

Benefits

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• access to menopause support in the workplace