Fixed term contract, 12 September -21 December 2022
University Alliance (UA) is looking for an ambitious and independent communications professional to cover a fixed-term vacancy in our Senior Communications Officer role. This would make a good opportunity for an early-career communications professional. The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge and experience of communications tactics and have an interest in higher education, politics, social media and press engagement.
This is a particularly exciting and challenging time in the university sector, with a fast-paced political environment, big policy changes on the horizon and a great deal of political and media scrutiny. This is an opportunity to work as part of a small and agile team at the heart of the action as we advocate on behalf of our member universities within this context. You will interact with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, and contribute to the wider work of an effective influencing organisation.
Main purpose of the job
Working closely with the Head of Communications and External Affairs, you will support in the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy, helping to maximise awareness and reach of University Alliance and our member’s profile and reputation, and communicate our campaigns, programmes and policy work via the media and UA’s communications channels.
Working with the whole UA team to identify communications opportunities and appropriate audiences, you will be responsible for developing and delivering informative, creative content, using the full range of communications tools and channels available.
Main responsibilities
• Media relations: Play a key role in the planning and delivery of reactive and proactive media plans; identify potential news stories, craft press releases, draft responsive media comments, build own network of journalists, deliver successful media interventions and undertake media monitoring.
• Produce compelling content for a range of channels that communicates our mission and helps to engage and influence key decision-makers including drafting articles, blogs, newsletters, case studies and producing or sourcing accompanying multimedia content.
• Planning: Maintain a planning grid and work across the team to identify upcoming communications events, opportunities and press interventions to ensure UA’s communications are timely and relevant.
• Digital/social: Maintain social media accounts and grow our digital presence by developing engaging content and creating multi-media communications materials for social and our website. Monitor and evaluate UA’s social and digital activity.
• Campaigns: Support the planning and delivery of impactful campaign activity; including working with member universities and other stakeholders to coordinate involvement.
• Events: Provide content and logistical support for a varied events programme, including the annual summit and regular communications network meetings.
• Public affairs: Support a programme of Parliamentary and stakeholder engagement and monitoring as well as the delivery of UA’s wider influencing strategy.
About you
• Minimum 1 year experience in a press / media handling, communications or equivalent roleExcellent written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate complex policy issues to a range of audiences
• Proven experience of producing high quality, engaging written work, with the ability to turn this into clear and concise messaging
• Experience of media relations, including handling requests, selling-in stories, working with journalists and being part of a wider effort to raise an organisation’s profile
• Experience of planning and developing communications activities across a range of channels, able to identify audiences, appropriate messages, channels, and undertake evaluation.
Starting salary: £35,000 per annum
FTE: Full-time (working 37.5 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Fixed term contract, 12 September -21 December 2022
Closing date: 11.59pm, 31 July 2022
Interview dates: interviews via MS Teams, 4 and 5 August 2022
The selection process will include an interview, and a task to be confirmed on invitation to interview.
We would be happy to arrange for an informal chat about the role, please contact annie@unialliance.ac.uk