Communications Specialist

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Reference:  UOH-TA-0017
Campus:  Hull
Faculty/Area:  Student Recruitment and Marketing Directorate
School/Department:  Brand and Digital
Subject Group/Team:  Communications Team
Salary: 

£37,386 to £43,155
per annum
Post Type:  Full Time
Closing Date:  Tuesday 18 April 2023

Applicants are required to submit a current CV and covering letter outlining how their qualifications and experience meet the Competency Specification within the Candidate Pack below.

THE UNIVERSITY

The University of Hull has been helping to shape the future since 1927; and research is still at the heart of what we do today. The University has a long-established reputation as a civic research-led institution, which is internationally recognised for the quality of research in areas such sustainability and climate change, social justice, and applied health.

We have a bold and ambitious vision that emphasises the pursuit of excellence to achieve a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future. We are motivated by the desire to lead creative change at the forefront of environmental sustainability and social justice as demonstrated within our Strategy 2030 . The University of Hull is on a journey, one that is led by our commitment to delivering excellent research and a fantastic experience for our community.

The University has achieved significant momentum and are experiencing a period of ongoing success. With a £300m boost to new facilities, with a further £86m of green funding earmarked to invest in sustainable facilities and infrastructure, accelerating our ambition of becoming a carbon neutral campus in 2027. Now is the time to join our friendly team, located in the heart of the UK’s most affordable city.

THE ROLE

Are you a highly driven and skilled communicator with experience in delivering PR and communication strategies that are reputationally beneficial?

If so…then becoming the Communications Specialist at the University of Hull may just be the job for you!

We are looking for a highly experienced professional, who is motivated by the importance of creating, maintaining, and protecting an organisation’s reputation, while enhancing its prestige, and present a favourable brand identity.

The newly created role of Communications Specialist sits within the University’s Student Recruitment and Marketing Directorate. While the role is in its infancy, it is none other than a critical role to the University. The world is changing and the reliance upon real-time information and communication campaigns is essential for the University to operate in an ever increasingly complex, challenging and competitive market.

The University has embarked on an ambitious programme of change as it adapts with agility and assertiveness to take control of its future; responding to the needs of our current and prospective students and partners. As such, it is an exciting time for the Student Recruitment and Marketing team, playing a key role positioning the University, enhancing our reputation and making our voice heard, in order to:

• Attract and retain students, building aspiration and fair access into higher education;
• Demonstrate our research impact and expertise and its impact on society;
• Attract and retain talent (staff) and investment;
• Evidence how the University is delivering on our vision of shaping a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future.

The core purpose of the Communications Specialist role is to develop and implement communications for internal and external audiences, including students, staff, partners, stakeholders and the media. Responsibilities include proactively identifying potential news stories and securing media coverage, preparing press statements and providing advice on how to handle media and PR issues. You will act as the first point of contact for media enquiries and will be responsible for building and managing relationships with the media. In addition, you will be responsible for monitoring media coverage via the media database and producing management reports.

The appointee will play a vital role in a high performing team supporting the development and delivery of a strategic communications strategy identifying and leading on key opportunities to protect and promote the University’s reputation, in order to build a sustained positive reputation long-term.

The ideal candidate will have experience in delivering corporate communications, specifically with a track record of handling crisis communication and managing media as part of that. Ultimately, we are an education institution – it’s our bread and butter! Therefore, you will ideally hold a good degree, or equivalent. However, we also recognise the value that significant and relevant work experience can bring to an individual’s skillset.

Key to this role is high attention to detail, as the roleholder will create and co-ordinate content for external audiences on key reputational opportunities and issues as well as briefing senior colleagues and facilitating media training for spokespeople. Within this context, the roleholder will play a key role in issues management, advising senior colleagues and external stakeholders in order to manage reputational issues. Fundamentally, the roleholder will keep up-to-date on changes in the external environment, the student voice and other issues, to provide advice to senior management so that the University can respond accordingly – both proactively and reactively.

To discuss the role, please contact Katie Knass: [email protected]  

WHY HULL? 

The University of Hull welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status. We offer a diverse range of benefits and opportunities to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career in a supportive environment. From a competitive salary which is annually benchmarked against the market rate, with annual increases; alongside the option to join the USS Pensions Scheme, for which the University contribute over 21% into your retirement fund. To find out more, check out some of our Rewards and Benefits .

The University has policies in place to support a good work-life balance and employee wellbeing, from generous annual leave; hybrid-working practices to training and development opportunities. This is the time to #FindYourExtraordinary at the University of Hull.

Further details:

Find out more about our roles and opportunities by following us on social media #HullUniJobs

At Hull we are committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion at every level, because we believe a diverse workforce brings broader expertise, improved innovation and greater success for all. 

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.