Communications Officer

Communications Officer

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Post Details

Full time, Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 23 October 2022
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 10 November 2022

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2472

“Previous applicants need not to apply”

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity

The Post

The post sits within the Communications, Marketing and Recruitment Directorate, which provides a wide range of services to internal and external stakeholders and works closely with the University’s senior management team. We ensure the University’s strategic messages are effectively conveyed to, and understood by, our stakeholders across all communications platforms.

The Communications Officer will work as part of the professional service offered by the Directorate’s Communications team, including public affairs, in support of the strategic communication requirements of the University. The successful candidate will focus, in particular, on media relations, research communications, teaching and learning success stories, speech writing, reputation management and contribute to a wide range of corporate communications, including support for internal communications.

The post-holder will also work closely with colleagues from the Marketing and Digital teams, to develop and deliver integrated marketing-communications projects which enhance the University’s national and international profile and reputation for excellence in teaching and research.

The post-holder will report to the Communications Manager and will work closely with the Head of Communications.

The role requires someone who has excellent communication skills and a flair for writing; equally adept at pitching to journalists as preparing strategic briefings or speeches for senior officers. The post should attract a confident, tenacious self-starter who thrives on building strong internal and external relationships and networks.

This role will be based at the University of Stirling Campus but agile working is supported and the post holder will need to be able to commute to the University when required.

Description of Duties

Research, write and edit media releases, and secure placement of news stories in local, national and international media
Research, write, edit and proof-read copy for a wide range of communications platforms, including written publications, internal communications channels, social media and the website
Work closely with academics to identify opportunities to promote their research and enhance the profile of the University at a national and international level
Contribute to the successful membership of The Conversation by identifying and organising publishing opportunities for academics
Provide a speech-writing service to senior University officers, including the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and the Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary
Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated marketing-communications projects and public relations campaigns with colleagues across Service Directorates and Faculties
Represent the Directorate on committees and working groups
Handle incoming media enquiries and facilitate requests for interview, expert comment, filming/photography – providing media training guidance and support when required
Prepare briefings for senior University officials
Monitor and screen media outlets and compile daily summary of media coverage
Analyse data from the team’s media monitoring database, to compile quarterly media coverage reports
Provide communications planning and support for key University events, including Graduation and student recruitment days
Write, edit and post content for the University’s website and internal pages, using the Terminalfour content management system
Work as part of the out-of-hours rota, responding to media enquiries at evenings and weekends
Work as part of the team responsible for emergency response and crisis communications
Adopt a flexible approach to work and be prepared to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends
Encourage effective communications practice across the University
Participate in the general activities of the Communications team as required and specified by the Communications Manager, Head of Communications, and Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment

Essential Criteria

Educated to Degree level or equivalent (where no formal qualifications are held, additional, relevant experience is required
Extensive recent experience working in Communications, PR or Journalism
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Excellent news sense and ability to identify and capitalise on media relations opportunities
Experience of interpreting complex, detailed information and translating it into language that is easily understood by a lay audience
Experience of dealing with broadcast, print, digital and photographic journalists
Proven track record of writing engaging, accurate and impactful copy
Ability to oversee the production of video news stories, including storyboarding, script-writing, filming, editing and art direction
Proven track record, and demonstrable evidence, of working on effective, integrated communications campaigns
Ability to work with and engage effectively with a range of different stakeholders
Knowledge and experience of using social media channels in a strategic capacity
Be a highly-motivated, creative and flexible individual
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise multiple tasks
Well-developed IT skills
Ability to work strategically and use own initiative
Be a collaborative team member and supportive colleague

Desirable Criteria

Postgraduate qualification in Communications, PR or Journalism
Membership of a professional body such as CIPR
Knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector
Experience in speech writing
Experience of using Terminalfour or content management systems
Experience in public affairs

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Communications, Marketing and Recruitment encompasses: Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Internal and Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Web and Digital Media, and International, UK and European Student Recruitment, and Admissions and Access.

In delivering the strategic priorities of the University, we support the enhancement of the University’s reputation for excellence in the student experience, teaching and learning, and high-quality research with global impact.

The Directorate provides a wide range of services to internal and external stakeholders and works closely with the University’s senior management team and across all faculties and professional support services. By adopting an integrated holistic approach to our work, we ensure the University’s strategic messages are effectively conveyed and understood by our stakeholders across all communications platforms.

The University

Ranked among the UK’s 40 best universities in the Complete University Guide, the University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society.

Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 20 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.

www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number: SERV01517
Contract Type: Open Ended
Closing date: 23-Oct-2022
Location:: Stirling Campus
Grade: Grade7 £35,333-£42,155 p.a.
Faculty/Service: Communications Marketing and Recruitment