Research Communications Portfolio Manager - External Relations - 108111 - Grade 7

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate and deliver the designated area's research communications Strategy to meet agreed KPIs, managing budgets and commissioning activity, where appropriate, in partnership with relevant teams and departments. This Strategy will be within the framework set by the wider communications Strategy and will align with priorities Set by the External Relations Business Partner and External Relations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including External Relations Business partners, portfolio Managers, senior academic staff, the wider ER division, and Other Professional Services, representing the designated area's perspective in key meetings and forums, in order to help align designated area and University research communications priorities and plans.
• Provide audience insight and adapt strategies to reflect profile -raising opportunities.
• Review and analyse the success of research communication activities — monitoring volume, value and impact, analysing trends and adjusting tactics to optimise performance.
• Create and/or commission communications materials and updates across a range of forms including online, publications, presentations, digital media (including film, vodcasts, etc.), briefings and internal reports.
• Provide specialist research communications advice and support to academics, including traditional media, thought leadership, digital and social media.
• Work with the Events teams to ensure maximum benefit from activities such as large -scale international conferences and public engagement activity and oversee the planning and delivery of research-focused internal and on campus events.
• Highlight designated area's research excellence to support recruitment of prospective students, staff recruitment campaigns, public affairs, and alumni relations and development activity, working together with relevant colleagues.
• Build strong relationships with other Research Communications Portfolio Managers, academic colleagues and the wider research community across disciplines to align efforts, ensure consistency and amplify the reach of inter-disciplinary research. Ensure colleagues are informed of communications activities.
• Collaborate on the internal communications strategy within designated area, working with internal stakeholders across Professional Services to align communications.

Requirements

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus relevant practical experience - where no equivalent qualification is held significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
• Substantial experience in a Communications/Press/PR role as part of a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience in devising and delivering mufti-channel strategic communications plans for a wide range of projects, with a creative approach for identifying new opportunities and avenues for Research Communications activities
• Demonstrable project management skills with experience managing complex campaigns.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Creative problem-solver with a proactive and resilient approach.
• Experience with crisis communications is desirable.
• Demonstrable track record of experience of working with the media and proactive successes e .g. selling stories.
• Proven experience in managing relationships with the ability to lead, influence, and collaborate across teams, with senior stakeholders, and with external stakeholders.
• Cultural awareness and understanding of the need for sensitivity in engagement with different audiences, and how this might be embedded.

Benefits

• 40 days paid holiday a year
• one paid day a year for volunteering
• occupational sick pay
• pension scheme
• three high quality subsidised day nurseries
• flexible working arrangements