Communications Officer

Location: Stirling Campus

Contract type: Open ended

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 were recently named Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards.

The award-winning team ensures 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, social media, 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.

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 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

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
• Experience of media monitoring and evaluation

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | University of Stirling

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