Communications Manager – Reputation Management

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Communications, you will develop and deliver communications that support the delivery of the University’s reputation management plans, articulating the University’s vision and impact to internal and external audiences.

You will be accountable for the effective coordination and delivery of communications related to University of Glasgow led, multi-partner, and multi-institution projects and initiatives, describing their impact and benefits for economies, places and society at large in support of our Global Glasgow reputation management plan.

You will build effective relationships with key stakeholders and networks and develop communication approaches to help influence our funders, stakeholders and partners to support us in communicating our reputation management goals.

You will be responsible for providing strategic communications guidance and support, working across the External Relations Directorate and wider University of Glasgow community to shape communications and presentation strategies.

Working with the Head of Communications, you will actively contribute to the development and delivery of the University of Glasgow communications strategy, maximising reach and impact for our story through communicating and engaging multiple audiences through timely communications on audience relevant platforms.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead on developing and implementing strategic communications plans in relation to the Global Glasgow Strategy, and associated projects and programmes that underpin delivery.

2. Develop our strategic communications approach to reputation management, maximising internal cooperation and collaboration, and developing content across all media platforms to maximise external reach.

3. Contribute to, and leverage, partner, sector and network communication campaigns across Scotland, the UK and internationally.

4. Deliver reports outlining the impact of outputs, evaluating performance utilising qualitative and quantitative metrics to keep internal and external audiences advised of progress and inform future action plans.

5. Develop and deliver effective digital media strategies, including the production of digital content and other unique and engaging material and collateral for our own University channels and those of partners.

6. Take a leading role in coordinating and collaborating with partners, stakeholders and other bodies to promote the Global Glasgow Strategy and provide oversight of communication plans to achieve joint strategic deliverables.

7. Contribute to and deliver University responses on matters of reputational management in relation to projects, institutional and sectoral interest issues and crisis management.

8. Manage the coordination, and delivery of communications related to UofG-led, multi-partner, and multi-institution Global Glasgow related projects and initiatives, liaising with project and institutional partners at senior level to develop content.

9. Actively lead on commissioning, composing, and producing relevant communication content for media channels and other outputs, and provide effective management oversight and professional advice as required. This will include sourcing, researching, interpreting, and drafting relevant material.

10. Maintain professional credibility through continuous personal 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.

11. Work in collaboration with colleagues across External Relations, University Services, Government Relations and Colleges on strategic campaigns to amplify content.

12. Undertake other tasks and duties as assigned by the Head of Communications

13. As part of the wider communications team provide out of hours cover as and when necessary.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different 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), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

A2 In depth knowledge and understanding of the media landscape.

A3 Understanding of Freedom of Information legislation (FOI).

Desirable:

B1 Good understanding of the HE sector.

B2 Knowledge and understanding of national and international media.

B3 Thorough knowledge and understanding of work practises, policies, and procedures relevant to the role.

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, and the ability to work efficiently on numerous projects simultaneously.

C5 Proven ability to deal with FOI enquiries from media outlets and journalists.

C6 IT proficiency and familiarity with website maintenance.

C7 Excellent planning and organisational skills used to enable external and internal stories to be developed across a range of channels.

C8 Ability to work collaboratively and to take the lead when required with external funders and partner institutions on complex communications projects and outputs.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to direct, shoot and edit video and images.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Extensive and relevant experience as a senior communications professional delivering communications, working in a busy newsroom or PR agency.

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

E3 Providing guidance, inspiration, clarity and direction to staff and students to help communicate key priorities across multiple comms platforms.

E4 Significant experience of establishing, managing, and delivering communications strategies for internal and external audiences.

E5 Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues in other professional teams.

E6 Experience of influencing and negotiating with senior management.

E7 Experience of managing communications projects.

E8 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.

Desirable:

F1 Direct experience in a senior HE communications role.

F2 Experience of delivering effective staff engagement communications.

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

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.