At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications and engagement strategies to amplify ACU's voice and impact.
- Company: Join a diverse international network of over 400 universities making a difference.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment fostering creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education and international development.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic communications and membership engagement at a senior level.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Hybrid - London WC1H - we operate hybrid, flexible working practices with 20% of your time per month being office based.
Join the ACU and use your expertise and experience to help us in our mission to be the voice of Commonwealth universities, supporting them to collaborate and to advance their contribution to sustainable development. Working at the intersection of higher education and international development, The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 400 members in more than 40 countries, and our official role within the Commonwealth and United Nations affords an impactful platform for advocacy and strategic partnerships.
The Head of Communications and Engagement leads ACU's external voice and its member engagement function, ensuring that our member universities experience ACU as a present, credible and valuable partner. This role is the primary custodian of how ACU communicates with the world and how relationships with members, stakeholders and partners are built, maintained and deepened.
You will develop and lead an integrated communications and engagement strategy, ensuring all activity is strategically aligned, well-coordinated and delivered with maximum impact. Working closely with the Director, you will provide leadership in shaping the external affairs of the ACU, finding new and creative ways to communicate ACU's work and impact, strengthen our position with key audiences and platform our advocacy messages within the sector and with key decision makers including at major multilateral forums. You will oversee marketing efforts to drive participation with our member opportunities and for our managed programmes and will be responsible for contract fulfilment for a range of external clients. You will also lead on internal communications in support of our people and culture agenda.
Working with the Head of Membership and Events and Head of Policy and Research, you will be jointly responsible for the membership strategy, leading an international engagement team to ensure that our offer is visible to members, and our diverse and geographically dispersed network feel engaged and see the value of membership.
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can bring a strategic and an integrated approach to communications and engagement, enjoys working in a collaborative international environment and who will foster creativity and innovation to deliver maximum impact.
- Bring a track record of leading integrated communications strategies in complex contexts, alongside experience of membership engagement or institutional relationship management at a senior level.
- Have worked at senior level in marketing or communications, be skilled in devising and implementing successful communication strategies and plans, audience segmentation, content creation, delivery and the use of the various channels for effectiveness.
- Be comfortable holding the strategic and the relational in equal measure, and understand that in a membership organisation, communications and engagement are two sides of the same endeavour.
- Be a strategic thinker, know how to use data and insight to direct a team's activity, and understand how to design an engagement model that utilises personalised approaches.
Head of Communications and Engagement in London employer: The Association of Commonwealth Universities
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London with hybrid working options that promote work-life balance. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values innovation and professional growth, alongside opportunities to make a meaningful impact in higher education and sustainable development. With a focus on member engagement and strategic communications, ACU provides a unique platform for individuals passionate about driving positive change within the global academic community.
Contact Details:
The Association of Commonwealth Universities Recruitment Team
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