Communications Officer

The Post

The post sits within the Communications, Marketing and Recruitment Directorate, which provides a wide range of services to internal and external stakeholders and works closely with the University’s senior management team. We were recently named Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards.

The award-winning team ensures the University’s strategic messages are effectively conveyed to, and understood by, our stakeholders across all communications platforms.

The Communications Officer will work as part of the professional service offered by the Directorate’s Communications team, including public affairs, in support of the strategic communication requirements of the University. The successful candidate will focus, in particular, on media relations, research communications, teaching and learning success stories, social media, speech writing, reputation management and contribute to a wide range of corporate communications, including support for internal communications.

The post-holder will also work closely with colleagues from the Marketing and Digital teams, to develop and deliver integrated marketing-communications projects which enhance the University’s national and international profile and reputation for excellence in teaching and research.

The post-holder will report to the Communications Manager and will work closely with the Head of Communications.

The role requires someone who has excellent communication skills and a flair for writing; equally adept at pitching to journalists as preparing strategic briefings or speeches for senior officers. The post should attract a confident, tenacious self-starter who thrives on building strong internal and external relationships and networks.

This role will be based at the University of Stirling Campus but agile working is supported.

Please note that after the closing date, this job advert will no longer be available on the University of Stirling website; therefore, please keep a copy for your records.

Unfortunately, if you are not selected to attend an interview for this post, we are unable to provide individual feedback.

Please note, previous applicants need not apply.

Description of Duties

• Research, write and edit media releases, and secure placement of news stories in local, national and international media
• Research, write, edit and proof-read copy for a wide range of communications platforms, including written publications, internal communications channels, social media and the website
• Work closely with academics to identify opportunities to promote their research and enhance the profile of the University at a national and international level
• Contribute to the successful membership of The Conversation by identifying and organising publishing opportunities for academics
• Provide a speech-writing service to senior University officers, including the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and the Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary
• Contribute to the development and implementation of integrated marketing-communications projects and campaigns with colleagues across Service Directorates and Faculties
• Represent the Directorate on committees and working groups
• Handle incoming media enquiries and facilitate requests for interview, expert comment, filming/photography – providing media training guidance and support when required
• Prepare briefings for senior University officials
• Monitor and screen media outlets and compile daily summary of media coverage
• Analyse data from the team’s media monitoring database, to compile quarterly media coverage reports
• Provide communications planning and support for key University events, including Graduation and student recruitment days
• Write, edit and post content for the University’s website, social media channels and internal pages, using content management systems including Terminalfour and Brandwatch
• Work as part of the out-of-hours rota, responding to media enquiries at evenings and weekends
• Work as part of the team responsible for emergency response and crisis communications
• Adopt a flexible approach to work and be prepared to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends
• Encourage effective communications practice across the University
• Participate in the general activities of the Communications team as required and specified by the Communications Manager, Head of Communications, and Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment

Essential Criteria

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent (where no formal qualifications are held, additional, relevant experience is required)
• Extensive recent experience working in Communications, PR or Journalism
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Excellent news sense and ability to identify and capitalise on media relations opportunities
• Experience of interpreting complex, detailed information and translating it into language that is easily understood by a lay audience
• Experience of dealing with broadcast, print, digital and photographic journalists
• Experience of media monitoring and evaluation
• Proven track record of writing engaging, accurate and impactful copy
• Ability to oversee the production of video news stories, including storyboarding, script-writing, filming, editing and art direction
• Proven track record, and demonstrable evidence, of working on effective, integrated communications campaigns
• Ability to work with and engage effectively with a range of different stakeholders
• Knowledge and experience of using social media channels in a strategic capacity and to create content using design tools such as Canva
• Be a highly-motivated, creative and flexible individual
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise multiple tasks
• Well-developed IT skills
• Ability to work strategically and use own initiative
• Be a collaborative team member and supportive colleague

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in Communications, PR or Journalism
• Membership of a professional body such as CIPR
• Knowledge of the UK Higher Education sector
• Experience in speech writing
• Experience of using content management systems such as Terminalfour, Brandwatch
• Experience in public affairs

Additional Information

Full time

Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 23 March 2025.

Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 03 April 2025.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2493.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

For a full description of duties and essential/desirable criteria please click the apply button, which will take you directly to the University Website.