At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications strategy, create impactful campaigns, and engage with media and stakeholders.
- Company: Join a leading biomedical research centre at the forefront of health innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days holiday, flexible working, and opportunities across global locations.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by translating science into health benefits through effective communication.
- Qualifications: Degree in communications and extensive experience in a similar role required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Overview
In this role you will lead the communications strategy for NIHR BRC: Birmingham, raising awareness of our research and impact among staff, partners and global audiences.
You will own the full communications mix, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and the University’s Global Top ambitions.
You will shape media engagement, content strategy and events to amplify our work and drive visibility.
You will collaborate across colleges and external partners to deliver impactful, multi-channel campaigns that support our mission to translate science into health benefits.
- Pay / Benefits
- 40 days paid holiday a year
- one paid day for volunteering
- pension scheme
- three subsidised day nurseries
- flexible working arrangements
- opportunity to work across campus and Dubai locations
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute multi-channel media engagement campaigns and track performance against targets
- Collaborate with Colleges, Communications Centre of Excellence, ER, researchers and external partners to unify communications impact
- Log activity in the planning tool and contribute to news gathering and discussions
- Monitor audience insights and use analytics to inform planning and drive innovation
- Create high-quality content across channels (social, press, publications, infographics) and manage external agencies and suppliers
- Develop media events and place stories in collaboration with teams to promote research
- Build relationships with media, policymakers, funders and other stakeholders; identify spokespeople and provide media training
- Provide leadership on communications, represent the team on committees, and manage staff workloads where applicable
- Act as brand champion, uphold university values, and support GDPR and accessibility requirements
- Support crisis communications and on-call duties and contribute to broader Communications Centre of Excellence activities
- Key requirements
- Degree level education in communications or related field and significant practical experience in a similar role
- Extensive experience in a communications/press/PR role within a large organisation
- Strong news judgement and ability to weigh story inputs
- Experience devising and delivering multi-channel strategic communications plans
- Understanding of higher education sector issues and public engagement
- Proven track record of media relations success and crisis communications
- Project management experience with multiple stakeholders
- Excellent writing and interpersonal skills with ability to simplify complex information
- Digital literacy and experience with social media channels
- Strong relationship-building, influencing and collaboration skills across teams and external partners
- Analytical ability to interpret data and market research to inform strategies
- Strong organisational skills with attention to detail and ability to work under deadlines
- Flexibility to travel and work evenings/weekends as required
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in line with university policies
- excellent written and verbal communication
- diplomacy and discretion
- proactive and resilient problem-solver
- multi-channel content creation
- social media management
- media relations and press office experience
Communications Lead (Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre) - External Relations - 101000 - Grade 7 employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant academic environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, the School of Chemistry provides ample opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles, all while being situated in a dynamic city known for its rich cultural heritage and supportive community.
