Communications Manager

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 24 October 2023

The Role 

The Faculty of Medical Sciences are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic Communications Manager.

You will be responsible for leading and implementing the faculty’s external communications strategy and have overall oversight of the internal comms strategy and support. You will advise the Head of Operations and faculty senior leadership team in planning and fulfilling its business needs, and the strategic objectives in the area of communications.
Leading and developing a team you will be naturally collaborative. You will work closely with a number of key stakeholders across the faculty and wider University to share best practice and to develop working practices across the faculty. 

You will be people focused, excellent at building relationships with key stakeholders and support a collaborative environment, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect. You will be good at multitasking, able to plan and prioritise several communication projects simultaneously.

We are looking for someone who has energy and drive and is looking to have impact across a diverse and complex Faculty, who has ambition to take the communications activity in the faculty to the next level.
If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Faculty of Medical Sciences [email protected] – Head of Operations

Interviews to be held on the 16th November.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Faculty’s external communications strategy working in partnership with colleagues to enhance the profile of academic, research and .engagement activities, and to have overall oversight of the Faculty’s internal comms strategy
• Lead, manage and develop a range of multi-channel campaigns and projects highlighting Faculty successes, facilities and activities. This will include copy writing, social media scheduling, website updates, / producing print materials, drafting blogs etc
• Act as the Faculty’s key operational contact for providing advice and guidance on communications matters gaining buy-in from stakeholders
• Act as the Faculty’s key operational contact for colleagues working in Corporate Communications, Marketing and Alumni Relations and coordinate the communications network across the Faculty
• Benchmark, track and produce regular analytical reports for Operations Board and the Faculty Executive Board in relation to press coverage, social media analytics, web traffic etc
• Produce, or liaise with relevant colleagues/partners to arrange creative design, photography, and video content to support Faculty communications of academic, research and engagement activity
• To lead and manage a core team within the Data and Comms community which will include the Engagement Co-ordinator, Digital Content Editor, Events and Communications Officer and with a dotted line management responsibility for the Data and Information Assistant Manager To develop these individuals on a one-to-one basis and as part of the wider team
• Manage the work closely with colleagues involved in communications across the Faculty and University. To ensure alignment with Faculty strategies, share best practice and undertake joint planning to maximise impact. To ensure join up (where appropriate) with the student recruitment and marketing team to ensure a synergy of activities
• To have oversight of key corporate events including high profile conferences, celebrating workshops etc
• Any other duties as required in-line with the general nature/scope of this role

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A broad experience of managing multi-channel communications including face to face, digital and print etc
• Experience of website development and maintenance (ideally with expertise in using Terminal 4 Content Management System) (essential)
• Experience of SharePoint development and maintenance. (essential)
• Experience of delivering projects individually   and having oversight of the teams delivery of projects whilst managing conflicting priorities and working to appropriate deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, influencing and relationship building skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Evidence of a proactive and creative approach to problem-solving
• Evidence of implementing effective practices to increase stakeholder engagement with communication and events activities
• Knowledge of EDI and the ability to create inclusive and accessible content
• Experience of leading, developing and managing a team (essential)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Acts in a collaborative, inclusive, transparent and open manner showing integrity and the ability to build high levels of trust
• Anticipates change and prepares for it, keeps an open mind to alternative ways of doing things
• Uses clear, concise and accurate communication, tailoring the approach accordingly and encouraging a two-way communication process
• Sets own priorities in conjunction with team and area objectives and has the ability to quickly identify what is important and act accordingly
• Possesses high drive, professional resilience and the ability to use own initiative
• Self-confidence in advising senior colleagues on matters of policy and procedure

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent plus relevant experience demonstrating development through a series of progressively more demanding relevant roles or substantial vocational experience in a similar setting
• CIM, CIPR or marketing qualification preferrable

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26137