£31,814 to £35,750 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £41,113 per annum)
Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious, we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
Our External Relations team is responsible for promoting and raising awareness of our University’s brand in the UK and overseas. From creating all messaging and content for external campaigns and our website, to social media, and managing events – ours is a highly complex and expert marketing, PR and Internal Comms environment, key to making the University shine.
We are looking for a Communications and Content Officer to join our award-winning External Relations department.
As part of this exciting and varied role, you will work closely with colleagues across the department and wider university to develop and deliver engaging and impactful content to support student recruitment and the University’s wider strategic objectives.
Working as part of the Content team, you will be responsible for the creation and delivery of a suite of content aimed at effectively communicating with a range of stakeholders, including prospective students, parents and influencers, alumni and key stakeholders. Content includes email comms, publications, point of sale, video, newsletters and direct mail.
You will work with academic colleagues to unearth exciting and impactful research that’s having an impact here and across the globe, as well as student, alumni and staff success. You will tell these stories through the different content channels – positioning the University of Derby as an aspirational place to study, one where its students, alumni and staff are helping to change the world for the better.
The role will involve working across all areas of communications and content to support our work.
Key Responsibilities
* Work with the Head of Content and the wider team to develop and deliver an impactful content delivery plan to support student recruitment, and raise the profile, reputation and influence of the University of Derby, internally and externally.
* Identify opportunities and recommend appropriate tactics for effective engagement with key external stakeholders (primarily prospective students and their influencers) to help raise awareness of the University, positioning it as a ‘first-choice’ institution.
* Draft and edit high-quality content tailored to a specific audience and channel.
* Work with the team to proactively plan, manage and deliver internal and external campaigns that collectively raise the profile of our research and academic expertise with staff, students and stakeholders, supporting recruitment and conversion.
* Support the delivery of a multi-channel staff and student communications strategy to ensure the key aims and objectives align with the student journey and are in line with the University’s strategic objectives.
* Contribute to the planning and delivery of the University’s prospectus and Annual Impact Report – two key publications for the University.
* Contribute to the development of impactful videos that can be used across multiple channels to raise awareness of and drive interest in the University of Derby.
* Support the development of the team’s existing evaluation and reporting system, to drive forward engagement and further develop the content strategy, suggesting improvements based upon data and market insights.
* Continually improve what we do by gathering and sharing best practice. Encourage the adoption of new, innovative approaches, make effective use of technology and social media and maintain awareness of best and emerging practice in the sector, particularly related to student experience, content and communications.
* Build relationships with colleagues across the University to facilitate a strong understanding of the institution, its activities and Unique Selling Points (USPs), supporting the creation of accurate and engaging content for internal and external communications channels.
* Support the wider work of the External Relations department to provide an excellent prospective student experience, by assisting with key activities such as Open Days and graduation.
Minimum Requirements
* Relevant degree or equivalent qualification, and/or equivalent professional experience
* Experience of and demonstrable success in creating and managing content across multiple channels
* Proven track record of planning and delivering effective content outputs
* Experience of planning and executing photography and video shoots
* Experience of managing and working with YouTube
* Experience of planning with defined resources and delivering to this plan successfully
* Experience of reviewing and evaluating content and campaign activity, reporting on outcomes and making recommendations to senior colleagues
* Experience of developing assets for a range of media types
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
* Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write copy for a range of audiences and good attention to detail
* Video editing ability
* Excellent interpersonal skills including listening, a strong negotiating prowess and persuasion skills
* Excellent organisational and time management
* Ability to provide a clear brief and project manage complex campaigns
* Ability to manage multiple large-scale projects at once and keep key stakeholders regularly updated on progress
* Understanding of the student journey
* Good political nous and an understanding of the external political environment
* Knowledge of editing a SharePoint intranet
Business Requirements
* Willingness and flexibility to travel between all University sites, and to occasionally work outside normal office hours, as and when required, to support key University events (graduation, Open Days etc.)
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
* Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
* Discounted onsite gym
* Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
* Cycle to Work scheme
* A flexible working environment
* A commitment to personal and professional development
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Paul Hindle, Head of Content via p.hindle@derby.ac.uk
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
Start your journey to success by applying today.
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.
If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk .
Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.
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.
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