PR Manager

Job details

Department

External Relations

Responsible to

Head of PR and Social Media

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£36,725 to £39,800 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £50,600 per annum)

Closing date

Monday 6 May 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

Reference

0158-24

About the role

We are looking for an experienced communicator to join our award-winning External Relations department!

As part of this exciting and varied role, you will proactively seek opportunities to raise the profile, reputation and influence of the University regionally, nationally and internationally, by promoting its achievements and successes, research, and the work of its students and staff.

You will be a highly proactive comms/PR professional who can demonstrate excellent and effective communication skills, including the ability to build and maintain beneficial relationships with target media, key policy and decision makers, as well as our internal audience. You will have experience of leading on the delivery of impactful PR/communications campaigns, and inspiring other team members to step up and get involved in order to have maximum impact.

As a senior member of the PR team you will have a sound understanding of the external and political environment and be comfortable working closely with and advising the Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Executive on communications and policy issues and challenges, as well as engaging with and influencing our key stakeholders.

You will bring to this role a strong track record of delivering impactful PR and social media activity, a talent for writing compelling and engaging copy for diverse audiences, and the confidence and ability to provide strategic communications advice and guidance to senior internal stakeholders.

You will have line-management experience, and the skills and knowledge to help develop the team as we move towards embedding a high-performance culture. You will be a go-getter, able to work well independently, and as part of a team, with an appetite to take on new challenges and drive forward the collective impact of the work that the PR team undertakes.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Kelly Severn, Head of PR and Social Media 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 Associate Director – Communications and Head of PR and Social Media and support the leadership of the wider team to develop and deliver impactful communications activity that raises the profile, reputation and influence of the University of Derby.

Through adopting a proactive and bold approach and leading by example, drive forward a culture within the team that is media hungry, switched onto the news agenda, and focused on securing national and international media coverage that raises the profile of the University, our research and academic expertise.

Utilise political monitoring tools and ensure relevant intelligence is cascaded to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, and more broadly as appropriate, in a timely manner, so that profile raising/influencing opportunities can be capitalised on.

Write credible, persuasive briefings, blogs, speeches and other outputs designed to help influence policy change / raise the University’s external profile.

Lead on the planning, management and delivery of PR campaigns, identifying opportunities to tap into the news agenda and involving the broader team to deliver impactful results.

Work closely with the Content team to deliver the Annual Review – playing a significant part in the project management, creation of content, and ensuring the continued evolution of these key corporate publications. Contribute to other content channels as required.

Build effective relationships with media and sector contacts with a view to raising the profile of the University, which should increase its national/global influence and help position it as a world-class institution.

Proactively build external networks and relationships with comms teams from key university partners within the city/county to ensure opportunities to collaborate are maximised.

Contribute to the ongoing development and management of social media channels, spotting opportunities to drive forward engagement and where collaborations with organisations could take place for mutual benefit, helping the University to increase its external influence and profile.

Responsibility for the line management of the PR Officers, ensuring sufficiently challenging and varied work is delegated and development opportunities are maximised.

Lead on the tender process for new suppliers, ensuring that the team is receiving best practice and value for money.

Attend meetings (internal and external) as directed by the Head of PR and Social Media, representing the University and ensuring we have influence and a voice at a strategic level.

Use sound knowledge and understanding of the sector and comms industry to provide strategic advice on reputational/comms matters, when required, to VCE.

Deputise (when required) for the Head of PR and Social Media, and carry out any other duties required appropriate to the post as directed by them or the Associate Director – Communications.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification, and/or equivalent professional experience

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of leading on the delivery of impactful PR/communications campaigns
• Strong grasp of the news agenda and experience of building relationships with national journalists
• Experience working with national media and successful in pitching stories to the national press
• Experience of working with senior colleagues in a ‘trusted advisor’ capacity
• Line management experience
• Experience of creating communications plans to support specific business objectives and targets
• Experience of managing external suppliers and building relationships externally
• Demonstrable success in planning and delivering effective outputs across the broad communications mix (including digital, publications and campaigns)

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Ability to lead by example and instil a ‘go-getting’ approach to spotting and maximising opportunities that can be emulated by other team members
• Ability to present confidently to a range of audiences including VCE
• Excellent creative skills including copywriting and an innovative approach to communications campaigns
• Excellent understanding of the media and social media
• Ability to write high quality, compelling copy on a range of topics for different audiences, publications and media platforms
• Ability to manage crisis communications, individually, and as part of a team
• Ability to influence internal and external audiences
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex information (i.e. academic research / policy) to a lay audience in an engaging and accessible manner
• Good political nous and an understanding of the external political environment
• Sound fact-finding skills and the ability to identify and understand key issues
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with target media, stakeholders and colleagues
• Proactive approach with the ability to spot opportunities and drive ideas forward
• Strong planning, organisation and prioritisation skills
• Knowledge of tendering process for new suppliers

Business requirements

• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner
• Willingness to work outside of normal office hours as needed, acting as a senior member of the on-call Incident Management Team rota for media and communications out of hours.

Desirable Criteria
Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Understanding of the education sector and how it is impacted by ongoing policy developments
• Knowledge of the workings of government and parliamentary procedure

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.

Find out more about pay and rewardsFind out more about pay and rewards

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.

• Apply online Apply online
• Continue application Continue application
• Advice on completing your applicationAdvice on completing your application

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

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List

• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit Applying from Overseas .

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

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

Download PR Manager job descriptionDownload PR Manager job description

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.

Find out more about working at the UniversityFind out more about working at the University

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.