At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications strategies that shape the University’s story and enhance its global reputation.
- Company: Join the University of Birmingham, a top UK institution with a rich history and ambitious goals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a vibrant campus environment.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with strong community ties and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by telling compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications, media relations, and a creative approach to storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 36636 - 46049 £ per year.
Shape the story of one of the UK's most ambitious universities. The University of Birmingham has been changing lives since it received its Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1900. Today, our researchers are unearthing Britain's biggest dinosaur trackways, leading global clinical trials on children’s cancers, and exploring how school smartphone policies impact adolescent mental wellbeing. We've exceeded £1 billion income, secured record research funding, and risen to 76th in the QS World University Rankings. We are ambitious for more.
We're looking for an exceptional Communications Manager to join our busy and dynamic Corporate Communications team to support the University’s ambitions.
The role
In this role, you’ll be at the heart of how the University tells its story to the media, to policymakers, to partners, and to the world. You’ll lead the development and delivery of communications strategies across corporate affairs, regional impact, innovation, and education and research initiatives, shaping narratives that enhance our global reputation and drive real progress towards our most ambitious goals. You’ll work closely with senior University leaders, including members of the University Executive Board, as well as colleagues across Professional Services, external funders – including philanthropic sources – and sector bodies.
What you’ll do
- You’ll identify and develop communications opportunities that raise the University’s profile with the audiences that matter most.
- You’ll build strong, collaborative relationships across the institution and beyond.
- You’ll bring creativity, strategic thinking and editorial judgment to everything you do, from proactively identifying stories to fast‑moving reactive moments.
What we’re looking for
- You’ll bring substantial experience in communications practice, from media relations, corporate communications, and/or public affairs.
- You’ll know how to find the story, frame it compellingly, and land it with the right audiences.
- You’ll be collaborative by instinct, self‑driven by nature, and creative in your approach.
- Experience in a complex organisation, higher education, research, public sector or equivalent, is an advantage, but your ability to make an impact matters most.
About the University of Birmingham
Our Edgbaston campus is a beautiful place to work, with impressive architecture and a green heart at its centre. We’re a civic institution that is proudly of and for this city, with deep ties to Birmingham’s communities, institutions and industries. We’re a global university, and we’re proud to attract exceptional people from across the world, of our world‑class research, transformative education, community engagement and local civic leadership.
Communications Manager (Corporate) in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a commitment to employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities while working in a stunning campus environment that is deeply connected to the local community. Join us in shaping impactful narratives that enhance our global reputation and contribute to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Manager (Corporate) in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like University of Birmingham. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like University of Birmingham, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research University of Birmingham inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Manager (Corporate) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of University of Birmingham. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at University of Birmingham.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Birmingham
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
