Glasgow Changing Futures Communications Specialist

Job Purpose 

The Glasgow Changing Futures (GCF) Communications Specialist is a new role which will provide professional communications expertise to enable the ambitions and objectives of the newly formed GCF Programme and Institute. Reporting to the Research Communications Manager, and operating as part of a small communications team, you will lead on the development and delivery of strategic communications that support the delivery of GCF, articulating its vision and roadmap to internal and external audiences.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

The postholder will:

1. Lead on developing and implementing strategic communications plans which highlight the breadth and depth of Glasgow Changing Futures activities and impact. You will develop and implement an engagement strategy to socialise GCF across the University community and beyond.

2. Work with the Programme Director and Operations Manager for GCF, the Academic Director(s) for the Glasgow Changing Futures Institute, and the Vice Principal for Research and Knowledge Exchange to develop and deliver communication and engagement plans with audience mapping to target external stakeholders that can support the realisation of the GCF strategy and objectives.

3. Manage the coordination, design and delivery of communications related to UofG-led, multi-partner, and multi-institution GCF related projects and initiatives.

4. Develop and distribute high-quality communication materials and content promoting the GCF programme and Institute, with responsibility for website creation and maintenance, establishment and management of GCF social media channels, and development of publications/printed material including the production of artwork, sourcing images, collating and/or writing copy for all marketing collateral.  This collateral will be developed for both internal and external audiences and will vary from an annual GCF report to promoting workshops.

5. Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and plans using qualitative and quantitative metrics. Use this data to prepare and deliver progress reports to key stakeholders, advising on success criteria and key metrics, ensuring this data informs communication plans and decision-making.

6. Establish and maintain effective internal relationships through collaborative working to ensure the GCF narrative is amplified and represented across a range of strategic communications projects/campaigns, business development opportunities, shared initiatives and external partnership projects. This will involve working across the Research Services Directorate, External Relations, Government Relations, Colleges, and Schools. A focus will be to communicate the University’s activities which contribute to the achievement of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals.

7. Lead on creating and commissioning relevant communication content for media channels and other outputs. Providing effective management oversight and professional advice as required. This will include sourcing, researching, interpreting, and drafting relevant material applying knowledge, discretion and judgement.

8. Maintain professional credibility through continuous professional development, keeping informed and up to date with emerging and developing sectoral and communication trends to ensure activity is relevant from a creative, content and channel perspective.

9. As a staff member of the Research Services Directorate, you will work in collaboration with colleagues on agreed continuous improvement projects. You will bring your communications expertise and skills to these projects, which ensure the efficient and effective operations of the Directorate.

10. The role will also support the wider ambitions and objectives of the Research Communications team. You will work in collaboration to deliver GCF complementary priority projects and integrate with other initiatives/projects as needed.

11. Represent and promote Glasgow Changing Futures at both internal and external committees and events, deputising for the Executive Director of Research Services as required.

12. Perform other duties as requested, consistent with the grade level of the position and agreeing appropriate prioritisation of work with line management or other relevant stakeholders as needed.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge /Qualifications 

Essential: 

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar communications role or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training).

A2 Excellent knowledge of marketing and communication practices.

A3 Thorough and detailed knowledge of best practice for the development of content for the web and social media.

Desirable: 

B11 Thorough knowledge and understanding of work practises, policies, and procedures relevant to the role.

B2 Understanding and experience of budgets.

Skills 

Essential: 

C1 Outstanding communication skills with excellent writing ability and demonstratable evidence of message delivery for different audiences – print, digital, social media, broadcast, and internal engagement.

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and discretion, and the ability to liaise with staff and external individuals at any level of seniority.

C3 Ability to understand, interpret and summarise complex issues and research across a broad range of disciplines.

C4 Initiative, creativity, energy, and enthusiasm, as well as excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to define priorities and work flexibly and effectively under pressure to meet demanding (and sometimes conflicting) deadlines.

C5 Excellent web management skills with an ability to effectively manage social media channels.

C6 Excellent planning and organisational skills used to enable external and internal stories to be developed across a range of channels.

C7 Ability to work collaboratively and to take the lead when required with external funders and partner institutions on complex communications projects and outputs.

C8 High degree of initiative, responsibility and self-motivation, and a professional and proactive approach to problem solving.

Desirable: 

D1 Competency in InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.

D2 Experience of using Canva.

Experience 

Essential: 

E1 Extensive and relevant experience in a similar role, producing communications plans and content.

E2 Proven experience of operating at a strategic level while translating a strategy into clear deliverables.

E3 Significant experience of establishing, managing, and delivering communications strategies for internal and external audiences.

E4 Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues in other professional teams.

E5 A track record of credible engagement working with, negotiating and influencing senior leaders.

E6 Clear and evidenced experience of developing, producing, sharing, and embedding high quality written, visual, and audio-visual materials for mainstream, online and social media audiences.

E7 Experience of briefing and managing external suppliers of creative services such as design agencies and videographers.

Desirable: 

F1 Experience of delivering effective staff engagement communications.

F2 Experience of working within a research environment.

F3 Experience of using the T4 Content Management System.

F4 Experience of working in the Higher Education sector.

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 – £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and fixed term for up to 3 years from start date.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.