Senior Communications Manager (Interim)

Job description

Are you an experienced, strategic and creative communications professional able to lead a team in one of the largest faculties at King’s College London?  

We are seeking a Senior Communications Manager (Interim) for 12 months from April 2024, to develop external and internal communication strategies for our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy.  

As an integral member of the faculty’s management team, you will advise and support the Faculty Senior Leadership Team in its key communications objectives and will provide strategic direction to its identity and coherence.  

You will devise and deliver impactful communications campaigns that promote the faculty’s influential research and teaching on key global issues to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders in line with King's Vision 2029 and our strategic and business objectives. With the Faculty Events Manager, you will also develop a programme of engaging events to showcase the research of the faculty and engage new audiences.  

You will compile faculty publications including regular staff newsletters and messages from Executive Dean to support staff engagement and community cohesion. You will also manage the faculty’s social media channels, act as web content lead for the faculty and create podcasts and videos to showcase our research and expertise.  

You will coordinate and lead a team of School Communications staff to ensure full integration across communications activities. You will also work closely with the Corporate Communications team to promote key strategic and research news opportunities and ensure effective cascading of messaging on areas of strategic importance for the university.  

The role would suit a self-motivated, results-oriented person with a ‘can do’ attitude and a track record of creating compelling and engaging content. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until the end of March 2025. 

This is a full-time hybrid post.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and management of the faculty’s communications strategy and plans to provide direction on its identity and coherence.  
• Advise and work with senior faculty management on devising communications objectives, in support of university and faculty objectives and business plan, ensuring that communications are targeted, timely and relevant.   
• Provide line management, ensuring development, advising on best practice and integration across King’s communication network.  
• Identify relevant research, staff and student success stories to create relevant campaigns with the Corporate Communications team to enhance the reputation of the faculty to diverse audiences. 
• Work closely with the university’s Central Communications Team to manage the effective cascade of messaging on areas of strategic importance for the university. 
• Compile and edit faculty publications including regular internal messages from the Executive Dean and faculty newsletters to develop a coherent and coordinated approach to staff and student engagement. 
• Manage and develop the faculty’s communication channels, including faculty social media accounts, intranet pages and external webpages for the promotion of the faculty and its activities. 
• Create podcast episodes to ensure they highlight the faculty’s research and expertise, as well as reflects its strategic narrative and objectives. 
• Work with the Central Communications team to source research impact content for the university’s Spotlight webpages.  
• Work with relevant teams across the university to manage and develop the faculty webpages and ensure that content is coherent and consistent.  
• Work closely with the Student Experience Manager, Associate Director of Education and Marketing colleagues to advise and support on communications with current and prospective students. 
• Collate and analyse data to inform decision making including monitoring media coverage, carrying out research into competitor universities and other relevant analysis. 
• Identify reputational issues, escalating where necessary and advising on solutions with the university’s Corporate Communications Team. 
• Maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive information as appropriate 
• Act as a brand guardian across the faculty’s publications, ensuring adherence to King’s house style. 
• Undertake other activities, as directed by the Executive Dean, Director of Operations, Director of Corporate Communications or colleagues as appropriate. 
• Participate in faculty, campus and university-wide events where possible and as required, which may include some out-of-hours work. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria  

1.      First degree or equivalent and significant relevant experience in a communications role. 

2.      Experience of devising and delivering impactful communication strategies to support an organisation’s objectives and enhance its reputation. 

3.      Experience of working closely with senior leadership on reputational issues and staff engagement including providing counsel as required.  

4.      Excellent communication skills including writing and editing to a high level to turn complex content into compelling stories for a range of channels and audiences.  

5.      Experience of influencing and negotiating with stakeholders, at different levels of seniority, applying judgement and identifying solutions to complex situations. 

6.      Experience of managing and creating content on web content management systems, newsletter platforms and social media channels. 

7.      Ability to develop proactive a coherent programme of events and communications activities to meet strategic goals. 

8.      Self-motivated, results-oriented and with a ‘can do’ attitude  

9.      Demonstrable ability to work under pressure with strong time management and proven ability to meet deadlines and juggle different demands.  

10.    Experience of managing a team 

Desirable criteria

11.  Experience of working in the higher education sector  

12.  Hands-on experience of creating podcasts, videos and other content for a range of channels.  

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