At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead alumni engagement initiatives and create impactful communications that celebrate our graduates.
- Company: Join the University of Brighton, a supportive and inclusive community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape a key area of university engagement and foster a diverse community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting alumni with students and showcasing their achievements.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications and engagement, strong interpersonal skills, and team management.
The predicted salary is between 41064 - 48822 £ per year.
Are you an experienced communications and engagement professional who enjoys turning alumni connection into advocacy, insight and opportunity? The University of Brighton is seeking an Alumni Communications & Engagement Manager to lead an ambitious programme of activity that celebrates our graduates, strengthens lifelong connection to the university and creates meaningful value for alumni, students and the wider Brighton community. Brighton alumni go on to make a difference locally, nationally and globally — as creatives, innovators, practitioners, leaders and changemakers. This role sits at the heart of telling those stories and turning pride in our alumni community into advocacy, opportunity and impact.
You will lead activity that showcases the value of a Brighton education, supports student employability and graduate outcomes, and helps prospective students see what is possible through authentic alumni stories. Working closely with colleagues across professional services and academic departments, you will ensure alumni engagement is embedded across the student journey — from early awareness through to lifelong belonging. You will also manage and develop a small alumni communications and engagement team, creating a culture rooted in collaboration, creativity and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities- Lead the delivery of the alumni engagement strategic plan, creating meaningful connection and mutually beneficial value for alumni, students and the university.
- Plan and deliver alumni communications and engagement campaigns that celebrate alumni contribution and showcase professional and personal achievement.
- Build strong relationships with academic and professional service colleagues to identify, align and deliver alumni volunteering and engagement opportunities.
- Develop and maintain influential relationships with alumni and honorary graduates to support a diverse and representative volunteer and advocacy network.
- Lead an annual cycle of alumni communications and digital content across multiple channels, supporting recruitment priorities and external measures such as Graduate Outcomes.
- Act as the university’s subject-matter expert in alumni relations, identifying opportunities to innovate and maximise positive impact for students.
- Manage the alumni team, ensuring effective delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of alumni communications, engagement activities and events.
- Ensure alumni activity is accurately recorded and reported through the department CRM system.
- Proven experience delivering communications, engagement or relationship-led programmes in a complex organisation.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with experience building trust and influence with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience delivering multi-channel campaigns.
- Experience developing volunteering, advocacy or engagement initiatives.
- Educated to degree level or with equivalent professional experience.
- Experience managing and motivating staff.
Working with us you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a good work-life balance, all within a supportive, collaborative, and values-led university community. This role also has flexible and hybrid working arrangements, as well as opportunities to shape and grow a strategically important area of university engagement.
The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.
For the vast majority of our roles we operate an agile working system, with time split between working on campus and at the employee’s home. It is the University’s expectation that home working will take place within the UK. Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.
Alumni Engagement Manager - Internal Only in Brighton employer: University of Brighton
The University of Brighton is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement. As an Alumni Engagement Manager, you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working arrangements, all while contributing to meaningful initiatives that strengthen connections within the alumni community and enhance student outcomes. With a commitment to diversity and employee growth, this role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of alumni engagement in a supportive university environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Alumni Engagement Manager - Internal Only in Brighton
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for University of Brighton and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like University of Brighton are looking for.
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Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with University of Brighton on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Alumni Engagement Manager - Internal Only in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit University of Brighton. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of University of Brighton:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about University of Brighton’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Brighton
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at University of Brighton will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At University of Brighton, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
