Communications Assistant - College of Medicine and Health - 57817 - Grade 5 in Birmingham

Position Details

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Salary: £30,062 to £31,900 per annum, with potential progression to £35,883

Grade: 5

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 5th July 2026

Our offer to you:

• We offer flexible working arrangements, a generous benefits package and a supportive work environment.
• 40 days paid holiday per year
• One paid day a year for volunteering
• Occupational sick pay
• Pension scheme
• Subsidised day nurseries

Department Overview

External Relations is responsible for delivering the University to the world, engaging with audiences to build purposeful relationships and upholding core values of ambition, innovation, openness, collaboration and responsibility.

Role Summary

The Communications Assistant amplifies the scale, visibility and impact of the University’s activities globally, supporting the delivery of communications activities across media, social media, digital, events and advertising, and providing administrative support.

Main Duties:

• Support the delivery of creative, multi‑channel communications activities and campaigns to raise the profile and increase the impact of the University’s activities.
• Work closely with specialist colleagues in the Communications centre of excellence, with Colleges, the wider ER division, and other Professional Services to develop a comprehensive and unified approach to increase impact of communications at the University.
• Carefully log activity within the centre of excellence planning tools and contribute to news‑gathering and assignment discussions.
• Work flexibly across key functional specialisms including public affairs and stakeholder engagement, corporate communications, brand and campaigns, and across different academic research areas, in response to strategic priorities.
• Generate new ideas for content.
• Research, create and edit high quality content across a variety of channels at a level consistent with the University’s Global Top 50 ambitions, adapting content to a variety of audiences.
• Champion the University brand to ensure consistency of messaging, content and visual identity.
• Support the management of social media channels.
• Maintain and update allocated domain communications web content.
• Use CRM systems to deliver targeted, timely communications.
• Support the development of communications collaterals, working with colleagues and external agencies and suppliers as required.
• Support the delivery of the internal staff communications strategy.
• Collate, analyse and interpret data in relation to metrics, review activities and prepare written reports.
• Provide other administrative support for the team.
• Provide support to the wider Communications teams as directed, supporting a variety of activities, events and campaigns and any other duties commensurate with the grade.
• Willing to work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as needed.

General duties:

• Promote a supportive and inclusive team culture, working with discretion, demonstrating diplomacy, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring compliance with GDPR, accessibility and other regulations.
• Promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience:

• Educated to A Level or equivalent Level 3 qualification (e.g., NVQ, National Diploma) or relevant work experience demonstrating ability to perform the role.
• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
• Previous experience in a relevant role; within a large, complex organisation desirable.
• Strong IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office, with the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Excellent organisational skills with proven ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Excellent writing ability and communication skills, translating complex information to diverse audiences across multiple channels, ensuring accessibility for all.
• Develop a good understanding of recognised web standards, including accessibility.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, delivering exceptional customer service.
• High level of professionalism, discretion and tact when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently using initiative, sound judgment and flexibility.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation and understand how the University and higher education institutions operate.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures accurately.
• Meticulous attention to detail and high standards of accuracy.
• Confidence in handling statistical and financial data.

Other Requirements:

• Commitment to demonstrating behaviours aligned with the University and External Relations framework.
• Willingness to travel, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure day‑to‑day activity in own area treats those with protected characteristics equally and fairly.

Dimensions:

This role will require the exercise of personal initiative within and beyond the department and with external contacts.

Planning and organising:

The role is required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium‑longer‑term horizons without daily supervision.

Problem solving and decision making:

You will work with direction from your managers but will have a significant degree of autonomy, dealing with more complex queries and expected to resolve problems in your area of responsibility.

Internal and external relationships:

You will liaise with internal colleagues and stakeholders University‑Wide and also with external stakeholders.