Communications Officer, Birmingham Business School

Job Purpose

Working under the direction of the Deputy Communications Manager, this post is responsible for the development and implementation of communications plans for Birmingham Business School in order to grow the reputation and profile of the School and its constituent parts. The post holder will work closely with the School in order to deliver a flexible and innovative approach across the broad spectrum of communications and marketing.

The post holder will work closely with the rest of the team and proactively across the School to deliver a communications strategy which represents the evolving operating environment in each of the distinct sectors with which we work across our areas. Working across the whole spectrum of marketing and communications, and experienced in both digital and offline marketing communications, the post holder will manage and implement multiple projects across research communications, public engagement, policy impact, and profile raising activity.

The Communications Officer will deliver tailored and targeted action plans across activities as necessary and will work collaboratively with a number of key staff to develop key strategic relationships with and for the School. As part of the College’s Marketing and Communications team, the post holder will also take a lead role in some College-wide initiatives as required and as directed by the Deputy Communications Manager and the College Marketing & Communications Manager, and will also work closely with the University’s wider External Relations team.

Person Specification

Main duties

• Develop and deliver communications plans that deliver against key objectives in relation to multiple stakeholders for the project in question, and in line with the University, College and School Strategic Frameworks, raising the profile of our research and impact both internally and externally. Ensure work is aligned to the College’s research communications strategy.
• Devise and deliver annual tailored action plans designed to showcase the School’s various strengths and to support signature events on-campus and further afield. Present fully-formed plans, including allocation of resources and time for strategic projects, and any associated requirements to the College Deputy Communications Manager as necessary. Work with University Communications team to ensure delivery against appropriate areas of the University’s research communications strategy.
• Engage with internal stakeholders and form strong professional relationships across communications community. Develop strong links with senior academic staff to gain an understanding of strategic priorities within the School. Effectively and proactively engage with academic and professional colleagues from across the School (and wider College including the College Research Support Office and Business Engagement Partner) to seek out opportunities.
• Work with the Deputy Communications Manager and School Management Team to identify and agree on key priorities and touch-points throughout the academic year, whilst being able to respond to changing external situations and internal University priorities
• Work with colleagues across the School to grow the events portfolio of the School and turn this into a coherent external offering to a range of key stakeholders
• Encourage engagement and growth of media coverage of academic colleagues in the School working closely with colleagues in the University Communications team, and in particular the Communications Manager for Social Sciences and the Arts
• Encourage growth of School’s presence in commentary pieces and other associated PR activity through further engagement with academic staff (Birmingham Briefs, The Conversation, trade press, high-quality journals, University website). Work with Digital team to continue to grow the Business School blog and disseminate this accordingly.
• Develop and deliver training and development activities for academic staff enabling them to engage effectively with key stakeholders, including but not limited to the media, policy influencers, general public, and internal stakeholders
• Identify opportunities for public engagement and work with relevant stakeholders (internal and external) to make this happen where appropriate
• Play an integral role in the development and communication of a distinctive identity across the School’s activity. Ensure the effective use, delivery and development of the School’s identity and key messages, and ensure the strengths and ambitions of the School are appropriately communicated and are complementary to University branding activities and initiatives.
• Liaise with appropriate colleagues to review, design, write and produce range of online and offline collateral to represent the School’s research and consultancy activity across a broad range of channels and to a broad range of stakeholders
• Work with Marketing and Communications team colleagues to continually improve website copy to reflect the School’s strengths, including working with academics to improve ‘writing for the web’ skills of the community, and rewriting and developing new digital content as appropriate
• Liaise closely with colleagues from across the institution to develop and grow the internal profile of the School, ensuring all opportunities are explored and disseminated accordingly.
• Review and develop communications plans at key points during its lifecycle to ensure it remains relevant and aligned to key priorities, and come up with solutions for any potential issues in implementation.
• Ensure that the reputation and brand of the School and University is supported and adhered to at all times, working with University Communications, Creative Media and other colleagues as appropriate.

Other duties

• As part of the College Marketing and Communications team the post holder will also take a lead role in some College wide initiatives as and when appropriate.
• Any other duties as required by the Deputy Communications Manager and the College Marketing and Communications Manager. This may include deputising at meetings where appropriate.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Degree-level education or equivalent work experience
• Experience of devising and delivering multi-channel marketing and communications plans
• Experience of working in a communications or marketing environment
• Experience of translating complex information into accessible communications across multiple channels
• Demonstrable understanding of the complexities and competing factors related to higher education
• Strong understanding of the higher education sector, and in particular of Social Sciences disciplines
• Experience of working in a large, complex organisation
• Event management experience, involving internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrable project management skills
• Proven copywriting ability for a range of audiences and channels
• Creative and innovative approach to problem solving
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude
• Enthusiastic approach with an ability to bring people together to work towards a common goal
• Ability to influence people in senior positions
• A proven, high standard of written and oral communication and confidence of dealing with projects at all levels
• Well-developed administrative and organisational skills with a proven ability to pay attention to detail
• Tenacious, with a creative and innovative approach to problem solving
• Computer literate, confident and competent in the use of database systems and electronic communication
• Experience of using social media as part of a communications or marketing campaign
• Ability to work with initiative, under pressure and manage multiple workloads simultaneously
• A team player but someone who can work independently
• Experience of administering budgets and using financial systems
• Experience of using content management systems (CMS)
• Flexibility to work out of hours as required (including occasional evening and weekend work) and a willingness to travel where necessary
• Prepared to undertake occasional work in the evenings and weekends with some nights spent away from home.

Dimensions

• Decision Making/Problem Solving

(i) without reference to others

• Undertaking planning and management of marketing and communications activities and events
• Representing the team at meetings across College and University and reporting back to colleagues on outcomes
• Provide expert advice to colleagues on communications and marketing issues
• Managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Develop new contacts across the College, External Relations and other external organisations as appropriate
• Collating material and conducting research for communications activities
• Design of range of collateral and production of copy for web and other externally facing materials
• Day-to-day allocation of budget to activities
• Champion and support University’s brand

(ii) after consulting others

• Development of strategy and leading new projects as necessary
• Spend of overall marketing budget
• Significant revision of existing processes and practice
• Initiating new projects in pursuit of emerging markets
• Redevelopment of marketing and communications collateral

(iii) or that would be referred to someone else.

• Difficult personnel issues
• Any issues relating to crisis communications or that would affect the University’s reputation.

Strategic Thinking & Perspective

• Demonstrates understanding of the key factors impacting upon marketing and communications and the wider External Relations function of the institution, and develops and implements operational plans to deliver the University’s strategy and goals.

Working Collaboratively

For more information, and to apply, click here