Media Relations Officer

Grade and Salary: Grade 6, £31,236 - £36,636 FTE and working pattern: Full time, Fixed Term contract for 12 months.

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

Organisation Name: Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Communications (MRAC).

Purpose of Role:

To implement and drive the Communications Team strategy and deliver the outputs of the operational plan and day-to-day functions. To develop and implement external communications campaigns to support the University’s media and communication objectives. The main purpose of this role is to support and promote University research, education and partnerships to media outlets and external stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally. The role holder will be the port of call for journalist queries and for staff seeking advice on communications issues and utilise best practice in communications to maximise the University’s reputation across all channels.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage relationships with the media and stakeholders effectively to proactively promote the University and safeguard its reputation.
• Develop content to maximise the reach, influence and levels of engagement with strategically important stories.
• Work with the Corporate Communications Manager and the wider Communication Team to strategically plan and promote the University research, education and business activities to external stakeholders.
• Work proactively with press and communication colleagues, academics, and professional services staff to identify and promote stories on the University’s strategic priorities.
• Place University stories in the regional, trade, national and international media as well as supporting social media content and campaigns.
• Produce regular media, social media and external communication reports to develop and enhance the overall communications strategy.
• Develop strong relationships with key journalists, social media contacts and external stakeholders relating to the University’s external communications strategy.
• Respond to incoming media calls about University activities and arranging media interviews for academics and university staff.
• Manage and log incoming media enquiries across a diverse range of subjects.
• Work in collaboration with communications and marketing colleagues in our Dubai and Malaysia campuses.
• Contribute to other University public relation activities as required e.g. events, speeches, presentations, publications, internal communications, website and social media content, logistics for video shoots, budget monitoring, administrative tasks such as planning and writing reports, institutional submissions to national and international awards.
• Perform other reasonable duties as required by the University.

Education, Qualifications & Experience:

These are the criteria on which the short‑listing and recruitment selection will be based.

Essential Experience:

• University Degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Prior experience of working in a press office, public affairs team or similar environment.
• Evidence of creating media strategies and communications campaign plans.
• Experience and passion for creating a range of written content.
• Experience of working with content management systems.
• Experience of working in a team and leading on own initiative.
• Knowledge of industry best practices.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to translate key messages into a compelling narrative.
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively under pressure and to deadlines.
• Ability to make decisions and prioritise workloads and requests on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Ability to think creatively and to communicate creative ideas to others.
• Excellent attention to detail and quality of work.
• Ability to work across teams.
• A ‘can do’ attitude and a great problem solver.
• Ability to influence colleagues both upwards and laterally.
• Experience of using digital platforms (web, social media) to amplify coverage.
• The ability to use edit web pages using a content management system.
• Sound organisational skills.
• Ability to use MS ‘Office’ applications.

Desirable:

• Professional qualifications in media, public relations or public affairs.
• Knowledge of Higher Education.
• Experience of writing stories for national and particularly international media.
• Experience of creating digital and social media content including video.

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. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part‑time working and job share options.