At a Glance
- Tasks: Support creative communications across media, social media, and events for the College of Medicine and Health.
- Company: Join the University of Birmingham, a leader in education and research.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days holiday, paid volunteering day, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in health communications while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: A Levels or equivalent, strong writing skills, and IT proficiency required.
The predicted salary is between 30062 - 31900 £ per year.
Position Details
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Grade: 5 | Full time, permanent | Salary £30,062 to £31,900, potential progression to £35,883
Closing date: 5th July 2026
Our offer to you
People are at the heart of our work. We support our staff with professional development and a generous benefits package including 40 days paid holiday, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme and subsidised day nurseries. Career development opportunities are available across a range of functions in Edgbaston and our Dubai campus.
Background
External Relations is the division responsible for delivering the University to the world, building relationships internally and externally. The Communications Assistant will work primarily for the College of Medicine and Health, supporting communication of research programmes.
Role Summary
The Communications Assistant supports the delivery of communications activities across media, social media, digital, events and advertising, providing administrative support and building relationships with internal stakeholders.
Main Duties
- Support delivery of creative, multi‑channel communications activities and campaigns.
- Collaborate with specialist colleagues in the Communications centre of excellence, Colleges, and other Professional Services.
- Log activity within planning tools and contribute to news gathering and assignment discussions.
- Work flexibly across specialisms such as public affairs, corporate communications, brand and campaigns.
- Generate new content ideas.
- Research, create and edit high‑quality content for social media, press releases, publications, infographics, policy briefs, workshops, toolkits and presentations.
- Maintain consistency with the University brand and visual identity.
- Support the management of social media channels and website content.
- Use CRM systems to deliver targeted communications.
- Develop communications collateral with internal and external agencies.
- Support internal staff communications strategy.
- Analyse metrics, review activities and prepare reports.
- Provide administrative support and support wider communications teams.
- Willing to work occasional evenings, weekends and travel as required.
General Duties
- Promote inclusive team culture, maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR and accessibility requirements.
- Adequately support equality and diversity.
- Uphold the University sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- Education to A Level or equivalent, or relevant experience.
- GCSE in English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
- Previous experience in a relevant role, preferably in a large organisation.
- Strong IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- Excellent writing and communication skills, translating complex information across channels.
- Understanding of recognised web standards and accessibility.
- Strong interpersonal and customer‑service skills.
- Professionalism, discretion and tact.
- Initiative, judgment and flexibility.
- Ability to work independently in a large organisation.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
- Attention to detail and high accuracy.
- Confidence with statistical and financial data.
Other Requirements
- Commitment to behaviours aligned with the University and External Relations framework.
- Willingness to travel and occasional evenings or weekends.
- Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and protected characteristics.
Dimensions
The role requires personal initiative, planning and organising tasks, problem solving and decision making with significant autonomy, and building internal and external relationships.
Internal and External Relationships
Regular liaison with university‑wide colleagues and external stakeholders.
Application Contact
Informal enquiries to Laura Forty, email l.c.forty@bham.ac.uk.
Applicant Guidance
We value genuine written communication; over‑reliance on AI may result in the application not being progressed.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations and are committed to sustainability.
Communications Assistant - College of Medicine and Health - 57817 - Grade 5 employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where people are at the heart of our mission. With a generous benefits package that includes 40 days of paid holiday, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to equality and diversity, employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the vibrant Edgbaston area, the College of Medicine and Health fosters a collaborative culture, providing meaningful career growth opportunities across various functions and campuses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Assistant - College of Medicine and Health - 57817 - Grade 5
✨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 Assistant - College of Medicine and Health - 57817 - Grade 5
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.