Head of Communications & External Affairs

Location: UK, remote working

Hours: 37 per week 

A bit about us 

Here at NCUK, we consider ourselves a unique organisation. A consortium of leading international universities, NCUK is an international organisation, and we provide overseas students with guaranteed access to universities through our pathway qualifications. More than 50,000 students have successfully progressed to NCUK Universities worldwide by completing our qualifications. Our qualifications combine the highest of academic standards with exceptional language, study and cultural skills, and are currently delivered in more than 30 different countries across four continents. NCUK is a trading subsidiary of the Northern Consortium, a registered educational charity. 

What we’re looking for 

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, customer-focussed individual to join NCUK as Head of Communications & External Affairs. 

This role is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of NCUK’s communications and external relations strategy. It will lead the delivery of high-quality communications and events for key stakeholders – employees, students, study centres and university partners - and maintain up-to-date contacts and lists in our CRM. The post holder will ensure the organisation is engaged with its key stakeholders and target audiences, and that they are communicated with regularly, positively and consistently. 

What will you do? 

The successful candidate will lead & work to deliver communications plans, activities and campaigns to maintain and enhance reputation with key NCUK stakeholder groups such as employees, students, study centre partners and university partners. You will work seamlessly with the wider marketing and communications team and relevant departments across NCUK. 

This role will also be responsible for external affairs activities including thought leadership and PR, data and insight reports, events, as well as building relationships with sector bodies, governments and embassies across key NCUK source and destination markets, to further enhance reputation and enable business growth. 

What do you need? 

To thrive in this role, the ideal candidate will have: 

• A degree or equivalent qualification
• Proven experience in a communications post
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience of relationship marketing techniques within both a B2B and B2C environment
• Demonstrable track record of devising and implementing communications and external affairs strategies in a complex organisation
• Experience of working across the marketing and communications mix
• PR experience
• Experience of crisis comms and developing crisis comms response protocols.
• Experience of delivering internal communications strategies and plans. 

What we offer 

In joining us, we offer the below benefits: 

• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Perkbox – monthly points to use towards perks, receive discounts and cashback
• Free cash health plan for you and your dependants
• Personal development
• 37 hour working week
• Attractive pension scheme
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24-hour support and advice
• Remote-first approach – flexibility to work where you’re most productive.
• Christmas and Summer social events
• LinkedIn Learning subscription
• End of year shutdown – discretionary days off between Christmas and New Year 

How to apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ & submit your CV with a short covering letter highlighting how your experience and skills meet the requirements of the job description/person specification.  Your CV should be in Microsoft Word or PDF Format. 

If you have any further questions before applying, please send an email to vacancies@ncuk.ac.uk. 

At NCUK, we value diversity and the importance of an inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities, women, young people, ethnically diverse people, Veterans and serving British regular or reserve Armed Forces Personnel and the LGBTQ+ community. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will be happy to accommodate your needs. 

We encourage candidates to apply regardless of if you meet all aspects of the job description. We believe in the potential of individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences - your unique skills and perspectives could be a valuable addition to our team! 

The closing date for applications will be 16 September. 

The interview process will be face to face competency-based interview in London, dates TBC. 

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications - if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.*