Civic Fundraising and Communications Officer

Job details

Department

Learning and Teaching

Responsible to

Associate Professor (Civic)

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£30,950 to £34,027 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £39,131 per annum)

Closing date

Tuesday 20 February 2024

Contract type

Fixed term contract until 31/07/2024

Post type

Full-time

Reference

0030-24

About the role

As the Civic Fundraising and Communications Officer, you will be an ambassador for the University of Derby as a Civic Institution. You will be an experienced communications professional, with a specific remit to raise internal and external awareness of the breadth of work being undertaken as part of the Civic University Agreement (CUA) and the impact this is having. You will build strong connections with external stakeholders and partners as well as within internal departments including, for example, the knowledge exchange team and colleagues in research. You will manage the administration of civic tasks related to fundraising and communications for the Civic team. The aim is to bring to fruition opportunities for University of Derby to deliver economic, social, and cultural benefit. 

You will play a vital role in identifying and engaging communities and working with partners to be bid active and fundraise for delivery of arts and cultural opportunities in Derby and Derbyshire; Our long-term vision supports communities to encourage participation in excellent learning and teaching through research and innovation led by our commitment to our civic goals and objectives. 

The University of Derby’s civic activity is being embedded across the university. The activity will make a significant contribution to the Institutional Success Measure for Civic. 

You will report to the Associate Professor (Civic Practice) and work closely alongside a small, dedicated team to support delivery of the Civic University Agreement, working with colleagues across the University, and with external stakeholders to develop and fulfil this high-profile work.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Rhiannon Jones, Associate Professor (Civic) via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]  

Principal accountabilities

Work with the Civic Team to shape a fundraising plan and exploration of bid writing opportunities with members of the civic and communities committee, Civic University Agreement signatories, Academic Theme leads, staff and students, and external stakeholders and public.

Work closely with colleagues and external stakeholders to consider the partnerships and funding mechanisms to leverage and develop initial proposals.

Work closely with University of Derby communications colleagues to raise the profile of the programme internally and externally; seek promotional opportunities and newsworthy stories including mechanisms for colleagues to get involved.

Work closely with the Civic Operations Officer to ensure that the administrative management is carried out to maximise fundraising and communications opportunities.

Ensure that regular updates and reporting mechanisms are implemented to communicate to the University of Derby the activity plans and strategy for Civic communications, including strategic planning for widening access and participation.

Ensure that detailed briefings are communicated effectively to the Civic Team to track progress on fundraising and ensure project milestones are met.

Embed access and participation best practices into the business and marketing plans.

Support Civic driven activity, and any internal and external events as required.

Promote Civic opportunities and activities, liaising with university lead partners, the wider stakeholders / community members, relevant delivery partners and stakeholders.

Support the Civic Operations Officer to ensure that the business plan delivers on widening access and participation in all detailed activity, effectively and efficiently, monitoring and reporting on the impact and constantly improving return on marketing investment.

Build partnerships with a range of multi-disciplinary contacts and organisations that share the University’s Civic aims and objectives to amplify the quality and range of civic and cultural experiences available to, and accessed by, people in Derby and Derbyshire.

Feed into evaluation and monitoring activities for the profile and delivery of the Civic University Agreement.

Work with stakeholders, in particular the Civic team, to highlight activities being undertaken as part of the CUA and encourage two-way endorsement, strengthening partnerships and collaboration via multiple channels to build internal and external engagement.

Plan and produce quality content to showcase the University’s Civic work and opportunities attached to it for internal/external channels, including video and a regular Civic newsletter.

Manage and maintain the Civic pages on the website and presence on the intranet, ensuring content is kept up to date, is accessible and engaging. Working closely with Corporate Communications on press, target media including regional, national, and international media, covering print, broadcast and online, proactively generating opportunities to profile the University’s Civic activity and commitment, and managing media enquiries linked to Civic. 

Carry out any other duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post as agreed with Line Manager.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Relevant degree (or equivalent qualification) or comparable knowledge gained through professional experience

Experience

• Experience and demonstrable success in a fundraising and communication role (preferably in a complex organisation)
• Experience of creating communication and engagement plans to support specific business objectives and targets
• Experience of working unsupervised to deadlines, planning, and setting priorities for own work and that of others and monitoring progress
• Experience of working in areas of low arts engagement with diverse communities
• Experience of successful bid writing, monitoring and evaluation processes including effective data collection, analysis, and reporting

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy
• Ability to support and develop effective stakeholder relationships
• Curious, creative, and innovative thinker, including effective problem-solving skills
• Understanding of aims and objectives of a Civic University
• Successful bid writing and fundraising track record.
• Diplomatic approach to all stakeholders: internal and external, persuasive, and resilient 
• Excellent creative skills including copywriting (press releases, case studies and features) and an innovative approach to communication and engagement campaigns  

Business requirements

• Willingness and ability to work flexibly (i.e., may be required, with prior notice, to work evenings and weekends)
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner.

Desirable Criteria
Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate degree (or equivalent qualification)

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Experience of digital marketing, including website development and social media activities
• Previous experience of engagement, widening access and participation programming within arts and culture; and / or Higher Education and the public sector

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

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How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

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If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

Please note that unfortunately, this role will not attract sufficient points to obtain a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the UK Visas & Immigration points based immigration system; however, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route..

Please consult the Home office website for further information.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates youA university that celebrates you

Further details

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Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

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We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.