Communications and Engagement Manager

**The Department and role purpose**

Our client has an ambitious ten-year strategy (2017-2027) to achieve its objectives of becoming world-leading in research, teaching and the wider student experience.

The Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications is the professional lead for teams spanning Communications, Marketing and Development and Alumni Relations. Their teams support the University’s strategy to enhance global awareness and reputationof our client.

Through their communications and engagement activity they create connected communities of brand ambassadors and advocates - both externally and internally with their students, staff, alumni and supporters.

**Core responsibilities**:

- Designing and developing internal communications and engagement strategies, and associated activity plans, in support of pan-University programmes of work and core, institutional strategic priorities.
- Contribute to the overall strategy for the promotion of the University’s activities in teaching and learning, research and business engagement and the wider student experience, including designing and developing related communications and engagement strategiesand plans that support it. Activity will be focused on internal staff and student audiences.
- Proactively research, develop, package and promote compelling narratives and stories of the University’s excellence in teaching and learning, wider student experience, research and impact to internal (staff and student) audiences using a range of channelsand methods.
- Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to inform service and activity improvement.
- Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation. This includes working closely with colleagues in other Professional Services, especiallythe Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Human Resources and Organisation Development, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Strategy Delivery Unit, Estates and Facilities, and Finance.
- Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge.
- Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist.
- Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams.

**Role responsibilities**:

- Devise, develop, lead and evaluate internal communications and engagement activity, including proactive campaigns, crisis communications and issues / reputation management, informed by comprehensive audience intelligence.
- Initiate and manage communications and engagement activity on key internal communications channels, including traditional and digital methods.
- Use audience and communications channel analytics and insights, working with other specialist colleagues across Advancement as required, to optimise influence and persuasion through communications and engagement activity, and encourage advocacy for theUniversity brand, values and Strategy.
- Use stakeholder mapping, segmentation and analysis techniques to identify and prioritise internal staff and student audiences and develop targeted communications and engagement strategies and plans.
- Benchmark, track and report on internal communications and engagement using monitoring and analytical tools where required.
- Proactively research and develop compelling narratives about our client for internal staff and student consumption and engagement.
- Contribute to the review and improvement of internal communications and engagement systems, channels and procedures.
- Provide professional advice, consultancy, support and training on internal communications matters to colleagues across the University.
- Maintain an awareness of the internal and external environments and sector best practice to support high quality services.

**Specific role requirements**
- The role is based in Durham but travel in the UK and, where appropriate, overseas, will be required to deliver projects, take part in training and to build and maintain networks.
- Throughout academic year 2021/22 they will be trialling hybrid working, allowing for time to be spent on and off campus. These arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the Senior Communications and Engagement Manager (Internal). Where ad-hoc on-campusmeetings are required, you will typically be given 48 hours notice, though shorter notice may be given at times to meet business needs.

**Working Arrangements**

At our client they recognise that their staff and students are their greatest asset and they want to support the health and wellbeing of all. Hybrid working supports this ethos and provides many benefits to their colleagues, including empowering people,where their role allows, to work in a manner which is more suitable for them, whilst encouraging their commitment to environmental sustainability.

**Reward and Benefits**

To support the delivery of the University’s People Strategy to attract, retain and reward the very best, they offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits to their staff, including:

- **30 days annual leave, plus 4 customary days and 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) and the option to purchase additional leave;**:

- **Automatic enrolment into a pension scheme;**:

- Corporate and local discounts;
- Wellbeing resources and discounted health benefits;
- Health discounts on sports and activities at Maiden Castle Health and Activity Centre;
- Reward and Recognition Schemes;
- Personal and career development;