Mandarin Speaking Marketing and Communications Officer

Mandarin Speaking Marketing and Communications Officer A role at The University of Sheffield to support international marketing and communications for Mandarin speaking audiences. The actual pay will be based on your skills and experience – talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base Pay Range Direct message the job poster from The University of Sheffield. HR Adviser – Recruitment Services The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university. Benefits A highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more). A generous pension scheme. Flexible working opportunities. A commitment to your development and wellbeing. A wide range of retail discounts. Staff networks providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g., Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond. A range of generous family‑friendly policies including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for those going through menopause, paid time off and support for fertility treatment. Overview We are seeking to appoint a dedicated, hardworking, and proactive marketing professional to support international marketing and communications for our Mandarin speaking audiences. The Mandarin Speaking Marketing and Communications Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing our social media strategy and digital communications specifically for the Chinese market. The primary goal is to increase brand awareness, drive engagement, and support student recruitment by creating engaging content across key Chinese social platforms and in direct digital communications. This role requires fluency in both written and spoken Mandarin and a deep understanding of the Chinese digital landscape. You’ll be comfortable working with minimal supervision and will establish a network of contacts across the University, as well as externally. Reporting to the Head of International Marketing and Communications, you’ll be part of a small, collaborative team within a welcoming and engaged department. The role will involve close working relations with other teams within Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications and with other professional services departments such as Campaigns and Alumni Relations and Global Engagement. Main Duties and Responsibilities Plan, deliver, and manage content and campaigns for key Chinese channels, including Weibo and WeChat, managing the relationship and day‑to‑day operations with a third‑party social media agency. Create high‑quality, original, and engaging content (text, images, short‑form video, graphics, articles) specifically for Chinese platforms. Provide specialist advice to colleagues to inform brand reputation content and activities to target Chinese audiences. Develop and manage the overall CRM email communications strategy for Mandarin‑speaking prospective students, writing, editing, and proofreading targeted email copy that encourages audiences to move through the student recruitment funnel. Manage student ambassadors to create regular social media content. Ensure all content is accurate, reflects local traditions and culture, and adheres to University brand guidelines. Develop strong working relationships across the University to source compelling stories and ensure timely, relevant communications. Undertake regular social listening, responding to comments, messages, and inquiries in a timely and culturally appropriate manner. Monitor, analyse, and report on the performance of Chinese social media activities and digital engagements, embedding learnings into future activities. Stay up‑to‑date with the latest developments, features, and policy changes across the Chinese digital and social media landscape. Support live‑streaming events, online Q&A, or other interactive digital activities as needed. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post. Person Specification Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply. Essential Requirements Stage(s) assessed at: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, East Asian Studies or a related field. Experience/demonstrable understanding of running campaigns on major Chinese social media platforms (Weibo, WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Douyin) and the key metrics to measure engagement. Experience of managing simultaneous projects, planning and organising activities for the short and long term. Ability to work independently with the ability to prioritise own workload and work to tight deadlines. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels and provide a positive and proactive attitude to interacting with others. Native or professional‑level fluency in Mandarin Chinese (written and verbal) is essential. Strong understanding of Chinese culture, market trends, and online consumer behaviour (e.g. popular topics, taboos). Proven skills in creating and editing engaging content tailored for social media, including strong copywriting and storytelling abilities. Experience in working in a student marketing and/or communications role. Desirable Requirements Experience of commissioning content (e.g. photography, videos etc.) to support recruitment/sales activities. Experience of working in higher education and an understanding of student recruitment trends and marketing. Additional Information Grade: 6 Salary: £32,080 – £36,636 per annum with potential to progress to £39,906 per annum. Work arrangement: Full‑time 35 hours per week, hybrid – minimum two days a week in Sheffield. Duration: Permanent. Line manager: Head of International Marketing and Communications. Direct reports: N/A. Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs Next steps in the recruitment process: It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in early January 2026. This will consist of a short stakeholder interview conducted in Mandarin (online) and a formal interview in English (in person). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kath Dawson at k.s.dawson@sheffield.ac.uk. Our vision and strategic plan: We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision. Seniority level: Associate. Employment type: Full‑time. Job function: Marketing and Writing/Editing; Industries: Higher Education. Contact for informal enquiries: Madeleine Stewart, Head of International Marketing and Communications – m.j.stewart@sheffield.ac.uk. Closing date: 22/12/2025. Equal Opportunity We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process. #J-18808-Ljbffr