External Communication and Public Affairs Manager in Aberystwyth

We are looking to appoint a Communications Manager to manage the internal and external communications team. You will manage staff and activities in order to increase the reputation of, and trust in, the University regionally, nationally and globally, leading to enhanced student recruitment, student retention and engagement with partners and stakeholders.

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

• Excellent working relationships with senior managers within the University.
• The Director of Communications and External Relations and the Internal Communications Manager.
• A small team of Communications and Public Affairs officers focused on external communications.
• Effective relationships with key stakeholders such as main contacts in the media and departments within the University.

• Manage the University's external communications team.
• As a main point of contact between the media and the University, take responsibility for delivery of external communications.
• Provide advice and support to the external communications team with media issues.
• Support and, where necessary, lead wider strategic communications campaigns on behalf of the University.
• Ensure that University representatives are prepared and supported for any media appearances.
• Support the Director of Communications and External Relations on the strategy and management of the University's external communications functions so that all target audiences receive accurate and timely information about the University, its developments, its aims and successes.
• Use a wide range of communications channels, including social media to build and maximise the reputation of the University to enable local and national audiences to understand the work of the institution.
• Contribute to policy developments for external communications.
• Gain and maintain a thorough understanding of the policy environment for higher education and ensure that the University is well placed to respond to new developments in the sector in communications and PR terms.
• Support the communications links and strong relationships with each Faculty/Professional Service department.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a robust audit-based approach to communications, ensuring feedback and measures of success.
• Manage and motivate the External Communications team, assigning all work, carrying out appraisal, personal development plans and training as necessary.
• Work with the Director of Communications and External Relations to contribute to the documents associated with the general management of the Department such as the annual Planning Round documentation and the Risk Register.
• Lead on external facing communications aspects of crisis management, including major incidents and serious incidents, collaborating closely with the Internal Communications Manager, and liaising with all relevant colleagues and where appropriate with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Manage ways of handling sensitive and confidential information often in situations of uncertainty, where information may be incomplete, often without precedent and may pose a high risk to the University’s reputation.
• Identify any potential risks to the University in respect of likely media coverage including social media.
• Identify the public relations and media training needs of key staff and ensure these needs are met.
• Provide advice to on-call personnel on media issues out of hours and provide an ‘out of hours’ PR/media service as required.
• Ensure strong communications links are maintained with partners/key stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Communications and External Relations, and other senior colleagues within the directorate on planning and implementation of all communications activities.
• Respond to changing circumstances through prioritisation to aid internal communications activities where necessary.
• This post demands a responsive and committed approach to the work at hand. The post will involve working outside normal office hours with UK travel also required.
• Fulfil health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role, while actively promoting the personal health, safety, and wellbeing of staff and students as a member of the Aberystwyth community.
• Additionally, support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability through responsible practices and engagement.
• Promote equality of opportunity, and to support and uphold the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
• To support the university strategy and underlining plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop yourself and support the development of others.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by your line manager, commensurate with the role's grade.

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties associated with this role.

• A degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or substantial relevant experience.
• Experience of managing communications within a complex organisation.
• Understanding high level Communication strategies and their delivery across existing and emerging platforms.
• Experience of stakeholder management and development, delivering results aligned to the organisation’s KPIs.
• Able to demonstrate professional knowledge of communication channels, including social media, to give advice and guidance to colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate confidentially and effectively with a range of audiences and stakeholders.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills and an ability to build effective networks across organisations.
• Demonstrable ability to juggle and cope with rapidly changing priorities.
• Ability to undertake and deliver specific projects and supervise short-term project teams.
• Close attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C2.

• A professional or postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline or membership of a professional body such as the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations).
• Experience in a unionised and/or higher education context.
• Experience of successfully managing and motivating staff and teams.
• Experience of reporting on communications impact to managers and partners.

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.

Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

• Flexible working policy
• Hybrid Working
• 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus