Communications and Engagement Officer

Communications and Engagement Officer (External) (Job Number: 24001562)

Marketing and Communications

Grade 6: – £29,605 – £36,024 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent – Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 01-Sep-2024, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Durham University

The Role and the Department

Durham University has an ambitious ten-year strategy (2017-2027) to achieve its objectives of becoming world-leading in research, teaching and the wider student experience. Successful implementation of the strategy is in part dependent on our approach to promoting the University in respect of:

• prospective applicants to our programmes of study;
• potential partners in teaching and research;
• current and potential collaborators in business and industry;
• current and future alumni;
• potential employers of our graduates;
• national and international policymakers and influencers.
• The over-arching ambition is to achieve a step-change in awareness and reputation of Durham University globally.

The role will sit within the Advancement Group and, within that, the Communications Team, and report directly to the Communications and Engagement Manager (External). The Advancement Group’s objectives are:

• R1 (Reputation) enhancing global reputation,
• R2 (Recruitment) contributing to international student recruitment,
• R3a (Return) driving philanthropic income,
• R3b (Return) enhancing alumni and supporter engagement.
• E: (Engagement) enabling more productive engagement with external and internal communities.

The responsibilities of the Communications Team are to develop and deliver, amongst others:

1. Marketing our programmes to and assisting with the recruitment of home and international students;
2. Promotion of the University to and managing engagement with multiple stakeholders and influencers locally, nationally and internationally;
3. Promotion of the University’s brand and proactive management of its global reputation.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
  Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
  Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.

We offer generous pension schemes.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Typical Role Requirements

• Managing a busy shared inbox and telephone line, providing customer service and administrative support across the Communications Team and Advancement Group.
• Being the first port of call for media enquiries to the University and, under the supervision of senior colleagues, supporting the University to ensure timely and accurate communication with journalists and media outlet.
• Writing content such as press releases, newsletters, website copy and social media posts.
• Recording media coverage and measuring impact of campaigns and audience engagement.
• Contributing to the effective operation of the Communications Team, including assisting colleagues with priority projects and providing operational support.
• Developing effective communications and engagement materials.
• Please note, while this is primary a role specialising in External Communications, we apply a flexible approach to the deployment of team members according to business need at any one time. As such you may be asked to provide support, appropriate to your role, to other teams within the Brand Management Team. This will
• service to give greater variety to the role and give you a much broader range of experience across our strategic communications disciplines.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) plus continuing professional development required to maintain skills.
2. Relevant administrative experience in a busy office environment.
3. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
4. Experience of creating communications and engagement materials using a range of channels.
5. Experience of working on the front live with service delivery, and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
6. Experienced service provider with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities, and of implementing policies and procedures.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally.
2. Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating, influencing and networking.
3. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and web and social media.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience of supporting reputation management and crisis communications activity.
2. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
3. Knowledge and experience of the Higher Education sector.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

What you are required to submit:

1. A CV (maximum two pages);
2. A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification (maximum two pages)

Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact: Vicki Burns, Communications and Engagement Manager (External) would be happy to speak to you. Contact: [email protected]

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service provided and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
• Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible, such as incoming enquiries.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as media enquiries management and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities, and systems to ensure safety, security and compliance.
• Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.
• Collect and record data and information accurately.
• Organise and analyse data and statistics to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to senior colleagues.
• Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events in accordance with agreed objectives.
• Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering events, project work or core operational service.
• Seek feedback from staff, students and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services and provide related advice and guidance to other staff.

Communication/Liaison

• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
• Build relationships with contractors and third-party suppliers to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Tagged as: communications and engagement officer external