Communications Manager in Islington

Immediate start available. 2 month contract initially. The role ideally suits someone with proven communications support and experience delivering communications plans by creating written and visual communications for multiple internal stakeholders. You will have strong writing, editing and proof-reading skills. Hybrid role.

Purpose: Kings College London is growing. We have a bold and ambitious transformation plan to create the best spaces, facilities and experience for our students and staff to study and work in and to evolve our iconic and historic estate to be more accessible and sustainable. The Transformation Portfolio consists of several significant multi-million pound transformation initiatives supported by a set of highly interdependent programmes, projects, workstreams, teams and Boards.

We are looking for a dynamic and creative Communications Manager (Transformation Projects) to support delivery of the communication strategies across the Transformation Office portfolio. Based in the Communications & External Affairs Directorate, the Communications Manager (Transformation Projects) will work in close partnership with the Transformation Office, Project teams and colleagues across the University to manage and deliver effective, engaging and timely communications for the projects assigned to them.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Senior Communications Manager (Transformation Projects), Senior Project Manager and Change Managers to support, manage and deliver effective and engaging communications and engagement activity which align to the Transformation Office and University’s priorities.
• Be responsible for creating, developing and managing effective and engaging communications plans and delivering against these plans for assigned projects.
• Seek out stories and examples of project progress, producing rich written and digital content that is engaging and shows impact.
• Develop and support regular information dissemination from the assigned Transformations Programmes and projects.
• Work with the Communications Manager (Transformation Office) to contribute to Transformation Office Programmes communication and engagement activities taking place across the University.
• Create and embed key processes including stakeholder, multi-channel and multi-audience mapping to support communications for the assigned Transformation Programme and projects.
• Manage and input to continual evaluation and review of communications and activities, including gathering, interpreting and presenting data; identifying areas for improvement; and collecting feedback.
• Develop effective relationships with project teams, internal colleagues, senior stakeholders and key partners.
• Provide advice and best practice guidance to project teams to ensure effective, engaging and timely communications.
• Work with the Communications Manager (Transformation Office) and relevant teams to manage the information flow relating to the projects assigned to you and the Transformation Office.
• Take an active role as a member of the Transformation Office team working closely with the Executive, Sponsors, Programme teams, Faculties and Directorates.
• Confidently challenge and question current thinking in a way which engages colleagues, adds value and creates a positive difference.
• Use your knowledge of the external landscape and student and staff sentiment to advise on navigating potential barriers to delivering effective communications.
• Identify reputational issues, escalating where necessary and advising on solutions, working closely with key stakeholders and relevant members of the Communications & External Affairs team.
• Maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive information as appropriate.
• Undertake other activities as directed by the Head of Communications.

Essential skills and Experience:

• Excellent verbal and writing skills including compelling content creation, editing and proof reading to a high standard, across print and digital.
• Experience of influencing and negotiating with stakeholders, applying judgement and identifying solutions.
• Experience of supporting devising, writing and implementing effective communications and engagement plans for transformation programmes including both traditional and digital communications and evaluating outcomes.
• Ability to produce effective and tailored content for varied audiences, across different channels in a timely fashion and evaluating their success.
• Experience of absorbing, evaluating and translating complex information from various sources to create compelling stories for diverse audiences.
• Ability to take proactive ownership for the continuous review, development and implementation of communication and engagement plans.
• Experience and skill in creating and managing web content and social media channels within a content management system and/or use of HTML.
• Self-motivated, results oriented and with a can do attitude, where there is a willingness and ability to adapt quickly and responsively to changing areas of need.

Desirable: Experience of working in higher education. Understanding of change communications.