Description Position Title: TransiT Communications and Engagement Manager Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £36,924 - £46,485 per annum FTE and working pattern: Full Time Fixed term contract to June 2029 Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 25th October 2024 Purpose of the role TransiT is the UK’s largest research hub dedicated to rapidly decarbonising transport through digital twinning. Led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow, this £46 million initiative unites 8 universities and 67 industry partners to address transport decarbonisation. TransiT will create a Federated Transport System of Systems (FTSoS), integrating digital twins across road, rail, air, and maritime transport modes. The post holder will develop and drive all communications and engagement activities for delivery of the TransiT Stakeholder Engagement Strategy. This includes PR and external communications (online content, social media, brand recognition) as well as the planning and management a wide range of stakeholder events. Given the urgency of the challenge of transport decarbonisation, it is essential that industrial and policy stakeholders, and the wider public, are actively engaged throughout the programme of research. The Transit Hub aims to ensure an inclusive approach to research and innovation and to ensure demonstrable impact generation is embedded throughout the life cycle of the research. This demands two-way communication in listening to stakeholders and sharing research developments using appropriately targeted approaches. With such a broad stakeholder base, it is essential to maintain strong communications and awareness of the research progress with both the initial stakeholder base, and the wider industrial communities in logistics, transport, energy and digital technologies. The team includes two Project and Industry Engagement Managers to support engagement with specific industrial partners, and the Communications and Engagement Manager will complement that work through the wider communications strategy and the facilitation of in-person and online events for the broader stakeholder base. Detailed Description The research builds on highly successful consultation which explored transport decarbonisation and mode integration. This new national research hub will be responsible for delivering new knowledge, technical capabilities and policy advisement relating to UK transport decarbonisation priorities through the development of digital twinning. This highly ambitious programme of research is supported by 67 industrial, research and stakeholder organisations, and the network is expected to grow rapidly over the course of the programme. This is an exciting opportunity that will deliver a complex and transformative research programme to rapidly advance the decarbonisation of transport, building strong industrial and policy networks. Digital twinning allows different transport configurations to be tested and developed much faster than real-world engineering projects, until the lowest cost pathway to net-zero carbon emissions is identified. For more information, please visit www.transit.ac.uk About our Directorate and Team The post holder will work within the TransiT Hub Support Team. The post holder will report to the TransiT Hub Programme Manager and work alongside a team including two Project and Industry Engagement Managers, a Contracts Manager, the Hub Co-ordinator, Data Manager and Finance Manager. The Support Team is distributed between Glasgow University and Heriot-Watt University, working in a highly integrated way between the two institutions. Most of the Support Team posts, including the Communications and Engagement Manager, are based at Heriot-Watt University, sitting within the TransiT Research Hub. The role-holder is expected to spend at least 3 days a week working in person on campus at Heriot-Watt University The post holder will also be professionally supported through the University Marketing and Communications directorate and the Public Engagement team. Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities: Development and ownership of the TransiT communication and engagement strategy Reporting, via the Programme Manager to the TransiT Executive Board on the implementation and outcomes of the strategy Manage and facilitate effective stakeholder engagement events with industry, policy and community stakeholders, in collaboration with TransiT researchers and Project and Industry Engagement Managers Work with key research partners to facilitate joint research events across critically aligned research hubs Develop and coordinate in collaboration with TRANSIT researchers and external stakeholders, the delivery, marketing and evaluation of a programme of public involvement and engagement activities consistent with TRANSITs mission Design and manage effective external and internal communications including website, social media, print, film, PR etc. Development and maintenance of dynamic content on communication channels for key external audiences. Ensuring consistency with other communication channels like social media, the university website, external sites and news channels. Build and tell compelling stories of success within TransiT on digital and traditional communication channels including working with media, industry/government/business partners, public affairs agencies and the wider higher education sector Development (with external technical support as required) and regular updating of the TransiT website and social media Plan and manage all external press and media communication activity and resources and coordination of any external freelance PR resource. This includes handling enquiries from media, individuals and other organisations, often via telephone and email Ensure a consistent approach to planning external media and press communications, collaborating with the wider marketing and communications team to ensure that TransiT Hub and University communications are aligned Plan, prioritise and organise your own work and resources and others in the team to agreed objectives, including sharing responsibility for team activities and leading plans and priorities, monitoring progress against targets. Education, Qualifications & Experience: Essential Degree level education, ideally in a related marketing or communications discipline Demonstrable professional expertise and experience in communications Ability to research, analyse and present complex information and data effectively with good attention to detail Extensive communications and content management experience Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills (written and oral), including a proven ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly to non-specialist audiences, and speak with confidence to senior practitioners Strong copywriting and editing experience Demonstrable ability to forge and maintain mutually beneficial relationships Capability to motivate and influence volunteers and teams to support planning, organising, delivery and evaluation of events Confident working with senior managers and colleagues across the consortium and stakeholders Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment Desirable CIM/CIPR/IDM or equivalent Marketing/Comms qualification Experience of working within or with Higher Education Experience within environmental, transport or policy making fields Competencies, Tasks and Responsibilities The tasks and responsibilities listed under the following Competency Headings form part of all professional advice and support roles in the University at this level and it is expected that the role-holder will perform them to at least an effective standard at all times. Initiative and Problem Solving Provide advice and guidance on complex and non-standard queries, using personal knowledge and experience Use initiative and creative ideas to resolve non-standard problems using experience and reasoning to reach an effective conclusion Generate original ideas and innovative solutions through the provision of specialist know-how and advice as appropriate Gather and analyse requirements for systems in order to identify optimum solutions Prepare and deliver training and briefing sessions to provide tools, techniques and support to relevant customers and stakeholders Clear and Consistent Communications Using all forms of media, including Social Media where appropriate: Write/review papers, policies, guidance and briefings for internal and external audiences and stakeholders Write letters, emails and other direct communication to individuals and groups Interpret, prepare, analyse and deliver reports Providing detailed explanations of systems, procedure or technical information both verbally and in writing Carry out quantitative and qualitative analysis and contribute to the interpretation of results. Contribute to publications as required Planning and Organising Plan, prioritise and organise your own work or resources to ensure the timely delivery of agreed service objectives in line with customer needs Occasionally plan, organise and delegate related activity to the Centre Administrator Service Excellence Create a positive image of the University by being responsive, prompt and courteous when responding to requests or enquiries from customers Comply with University Policies when managing or processing personal and other confidential information at all times Provide timely and appropriate guidance and advice on policy, procedure, legislation and local processes and contribute to policy/procedure development Provide expert advice within your area of knowledge and expertise by acting as an internal and external consultant, advising on the development and application of, for example, specialist techniques and/or procedures Proactively seek to understand and react to the needs and requirements of the customer Work with colleagues within the department to contribute to the continued review and improvement of the service Produce timely reports for management as requested Liaise with internal and external teams, committees, bodies etc. to ensure an effective service Team Work Work collaboratively and effectively within your department, sharing expertise and contributing to the development of the Centre operational plan Participate in working groups within the university and externally if required, sharing ideas, experience and providing technical advice Contribute to and provide support and encouragement across the team Build cooperation and set example by demonstration a flexible approach Cover for team members, including deputising for senior members as appropriate Decision Making Provide timely and accurate advice to customers and stakeholders based on your technical knowledge Assess the risks of various options and work with the relevant customer/stakeholder to achieve the optimum outcome Provide technical or specialist advice and support to others to enable development of strategy, direction and vision Management Responsibilities There are no line management responsibilities within this position, but you may be asked to take on management or supervisor duties on occasion as part of your personal development Citizenship Demonstrate the University Values at all times through performance and behaviour Participate in ad-hoc duties to support the team/University and for personal development Support newer or inexperienced colleagues within and outside the University by offering support, help and advice Positively promote the University internally and externally through positive behaviour and supporting University-wide activities This job description is intended as a flexible framework which outlines the key general areas of activity in your position. Other activities may be required which are not outlined above but which are appropriate to the position and grade. Your personal objectives (Forward Job Plan) will also set out specific tasks and objectives for you to achieve, including objectives to help your career development. How to Apply Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday 06 October 2024. Please submit your CV via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment. For more information about the role, contact the TransiT Programme Manager, Dr Janey Andrews – j.andrewshw.ac.uk We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options. Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University. About Heriot-Watt University At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.