Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title: Research Communications Manager
School/Department: Communications, External Relations
Salary: £28,695 - £37,394 per annum (pro rata) depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance
Job Family and Level: APM4
Contract Status: Permanent
Hours of Work: Full-time (36.25 hours per week)
Location: University Park Campus
Reporting to: Deputy Director, External Relations (Communications)
Purpose of the New Role:
To co-ordinate communications activity to promote the University’s research in line with Strategy 2020. To ensure that University of Nottingham research has a high profile on the regional, national and international stage. To work with colleagues in Research Graduate Services and External Relations – particularly Marketing, Media Relations, Digital, Web and Public Affairs – to ensure that Nottingham research is recognised as world-leading and the University receives maximum value from all aspects of its research activity.
Main Responsibilities / % time per year1. / Research, write and disseminate material to promote University of Nottingham research in line with the Research Strategy, Global Strategy 2020 and operational plans for External Relations.
Work with academics to create compelling content that promotes research, including case studies, infographics, digital content, features, web copy, video, printed collateral, podcasts, bulletins, interviews and academic profiles that help to promote excellence in the University’s 31 Research Priority Areas.
Increase the reach, impact and influence of University of Nottingham research by focusing on high-impact, high-value communications activity (reflecting a ‘less is more’ approach). / 35%
2. / Work with the Deputy Director, External Relations (Communications), and with Marketing colleagues to deliver the integrated communications and marketing strategy to promote UoN research. Develop a plan of activity that supports this strategy.
Measure and monitor the success of this plan of activity.
Work closely with the heads of the five Global Research Themes and Research Priority Area leads to identify key areas of research, and promote high-quality work that has not previously been recognised. Provide expert advice on communication of research to a wide external audience.
Amplify and re-purpose material for multiple uses, both externally and internally. / 20%
3. / Work with Research & Graduate Services to ensure that the University has effective and engaging impact case studies for REF 2020.
Work with the heads of the five Global Research Themes and Research Priority Area leads to identify and profile excellent individuals – from world-leading experts to rising stars – to reflect the quality and breadth of the research base at the University of Nottingham.
Facilitate the communication of research internally to promote wider knowledge of research successes and encourage staff engagement with External Relations.
Identify research ‘champions’ for external engagement and take an active part in consultation with academic colleagues, to encourage buy-in and support among the University’s academic community for research marcomms work. / 20%
4. / Work with the Media Relations team to provide material that is useful in external profiling activity, including faculty-related research stories as demand requires. Support the Media Relations team in promoting new research-related facilities and infrastructure developments on campus. This activity should include research at UNNC and UNMC.
Work with the Marketing team and faculty teams on events, advertising, digital activity, student recruitment and conversion, web copy and other material to ensure successful delivery of marcomms activity in support of the Research Strategy.
Work with the Deputy Director (Public Affairs) as needed to showcase the best of Nottingham research to government, funding bodies, research councils, thinktanks, VIP visitors and other key stakeholders. / 15%
5. / Work with the Digital and Web teams to provide compelling content for use in online/digital campaigns and ongoing promotion of research.
Develop material for use in promotion of research via digital channels. / 10%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential / DesirableQualifications/ Education / · Educated to degree level or equivalent and/or professional qualification in journalism, communications or PR.
· Significant experience in journalism, communications or PR. / · Scientific/academic knowledge
Skills/Training / · Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
· Ability to write engaging, clear and accurate copy for a range of audiences, on technical/complex subjects.
· Researching and interviewing skills.
· Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels, and to work effectively and collaboratively with academic and administrative colleagues.
· Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues and manage conflict effectively.
· A high degree of initiative, responsibility and self-motivation and a professional and proactive approach to problem-solving.
· ‘Can do’ attitude.
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
· Ability to define priorities and work flexibly and effectively under pressure to meet demanding and conflicting deadlines. Excellent planning and organising skills. / · Shooting/editing/creating short films; experience of using Premiere Pro.
· Experience of stills photography.
Experience / · Awareness of the Higher Education sector.
· Demonstrable experience of using social and digital media in a communications/media relations context.
· Experience of developing and carrying out effective, integrated communications plans. / · Significant experience of working in the HE sector.
· Awareness of REF and experience of working on research comms activity.
· Awareness of university decision-making, structures and procedures.
Statutory/Legal / · Commitment to equal opportunities.
· Understanding the importance of addressing and responding to the needs of different audiences.
· Understanding the importance of confidentiality.
· Ability to be diplomatic in sensitive situations. / ·
Decision Making
i) taken independently by the role holder
· Prioritising workload· Determining the best ways in which to promote specific research projects and individual researchers; angles to take; methods and channels to use
· Day-to-day enquiries about promotion of research
· Scheduling of work to ensure that all areas of research are included in activity
· Dealing with academics and senior managers within the University
· Use of discretion and judgement to deal with issues appropriately
· Development and delivery of operational plan to promote research
ii) taken in collaboration with others
· Delivery of work that involves colleagues from other teams within External Relations· Liaison with external designers and printers; in collaboration with Marketing
· Decisions with budgetary implications for the unit
iii) referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder
· Strategic issues around research promotion to be referred to the Deputy Director, External Relations (Communications), Tim Utton· Complaints/disciplinary issues
Additional Information
This is a new role and will report into the Deputy Director, External Relations (Communications). The post-holder will work alongside the Media Relations team, and will have regular liaison with Marketing in promotion of the University’s Research Strategy 2015-2020. The Deputy Director, External Relations (Marketing) will also provide input re: goals and performance of the Research Communications Manager.The University of Nottingham strongly endorses Athena SWAN principles, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in furthering women’s careers. It is our mission to ensure equal opportunity, best working practices and fair policies for all.
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