Job Title: Communications and Project Officer (Student Services)
Job description
Department: Student Services
Location: Moulsecoomb
Job title: Communications and Project Officer (Student Services)
Post number: SS5089
Grade: 6
Responsible to: Student Services Information Manager
Main areas of
responsibility:
1. Develop and implement an annual marketing and communications plan for Student Services.
2. To lead on departmental communication activities to internal and external audiences via multiple channels, including print and digital media.
3. Be responsible for the development and delivery of activities that support the wider strategic agenda of retention, the student experience and employability.
4. Contribute to the university’s wider communication and engagement strategy and work proactively with staff across the university to raise the profile of student life issues and support.
Specific duties:
1. Develop and implement an annual marketing and communications plan for Student Services.
1.1. Be responsible for the creation of an annual marketing and communications plan to raise the profile of the department amongst students, staff and external audiences.
1.2. Analyse research and annual reports, and utilise knowledge of the student lifecycle to ensure the plan supports the wider strategic agenda of retention, the student experience and employability.
1.3. Liaise with Student Services Managers to identify their annual objectives and develop and implement these as coordinated, timely and effective campaigns.
1.4. Lead on the delivery of the communications plan using a ‘marketing mix’ to identifying the most appropriate channels for segmented audiences and ensure that deadlines are met by managing project priorities.
1.5. Produce monthly communication plans for Online Student Ambassadors based on timely student needs.
1.6. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan by reviewing regularly and making improvements to it based upon research (e.g. event take-up, impact of national policy changes, student feedback).
2. To lead on departmental communication activities to internal and external audiences via multiple channels, including print and digital media.
2.1. Lead on the department’s digital communications on university channels including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube studentcentral, the university website and Community@Brighton.
2.2. Monitor student engagement on social media channels using monitoring software, and respond proactively and professionally to student complaints, making appropriate referrals.
2.3. Be responsible for reporting student feedback to relevant teams and departments and make recommendations for service and process improvements.
2.4. Write, edit and publish copy for multiple channels, defining the appropriate tone for the audience and message involved.
2.5. Design, produce, distribute and evaluate the department’s printed and digital marketing resources – sourcing quotes and negotiating prices with external suppliers such as printers, designers and advertising agencies.
2.6. Meet corporate guidelines/identity in all communications – visually, editorially, digitally and advise and train staff about appropriate use.
3. Be responsible for the development and delivery of activities that support the wider strategic agenda of retention, the student experience and employability.
3.1. Lead on the planning, delivery and evaluation of Re-Fresher week and report to the Student Retention & Improvement Team.
3.2. Manage Student Ambassadors to engage with audiences and deliver messages through events and social media.
3.3. Contribute to the planning of annual student engagement activities, including welcome week – advising the Steering Group, developing new student communications and leading on the collection and evaluation of student feedback.
3.4. Plan the department’s attendance at events such as freshers’ week, open days and new staff inductions through the preparation and distribution of materials and coordination of staffing.
3.5. Develop networks with colleagues across the university to identify opportunities through which to participate in student engagement events and activities.
3.6. Deliver training on the Student Lifecycle to help university staff develop their knowledge and understanding of the student experience.
4. Contribute to the university’s wider communication and engagement strategy and work proactively with staff across the university to raise the profile of student life issues and support.
4.1. Work closely with and advise colleagues in Marketing and Communications to ensure the Student Services agenda is delivered through their communication and engagement strategy.
4.2. Make recommendations to the editorial team about the inclusion of key student issues in the university’s annual publications such as the prospectus, the Guide and other relevant new student information.
4.3. Produce a termly departmental newsletter for school boards and SSGT’s, using judgement to commission and produce features which raise awareness and inform staff of student support issues.
4.4. Make recommendations about opportunities to improve the student experience through the sharing of good practise at university wide forums such as the Teaching and Learning forums.
4.5. Raise awareness of student experience issues and communicate these to staff across the university through attendance at strategic meetings, emails, newsletters, articles and press releases.
4.6. Contribute to the university’s digital strategy.
Selection Criteria: The criteria below indicated the qualities that are needed to do the job well. Candidates for the post will be selected according to the extent to which they satisfy them, and their evidence of potential for developing the rest further. Most of the criteria must normally be met in order to qualify for selection.
Essential:
Knowledge/qualifications /experience:
· Substantial knowledge and experience of managing publicity campaigns and publishing online content.
· Considerable proven evidence of implementing and evaluating social and multimedia activity considerably proven evidence of strong writing and editing skills.
· Educated to degree level or professional equivalent.
· Be diplomatic and have strong negotiation skills.
Communication:
· Exemplary communication skills, both written and verbal.
· Must be able to communicate information in an understandable way and be able to explain technical matters in clear nontechnical language.
· Listens well and considers others' needs and perspectives.
· Competence in planning and delivering training support.
Team work:
· Be a strong team player and have the ability to work co-operatively in partnership with students and staff at all levels across the university.
· Have credibility and influence and the ability to negotiate and consider alternatives
Technical skill:
· Competent in the use of Microsoft packages and Adobe Creative Suite or similar
· Appreciation of evolving technologies and their application in relation to communications.
· Able to learn new technology rapidly and continuously.
Self motivation / organisation:
· Uses time efficiently; meets priorities and deadlines with minimum of supervision.
· Committed to continuous self-development.
· Ability to manage multiple projects and be flexible.
· The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
Analysis, creativity & problem-solving:
· Considers various perspectives and the overall picture; solves problems and develops plans successfully.
· Ability to improve, consider options and produce solutions through innovation.
· Ability to make decisions based on evidence within technical and practical operational boundaries.
· Provides creative solutions and improves services through innovation.
Sensitivity:
· To be responsive to the needs of students and ability to differentiate audiences.
· Employ rules of confidentiality, data protection when appropriate.
Physical:
· Able to use display screen equipment extensively, according to health and safety guidelines. Able to access other university sites efficiently and frequently.
Desirable:
· To be aware of legislative developments impacting on the activities of Higher Education Institutions
· To be familiar with the support provided by Student Services for students in Higher Education.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character if the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
Updated April 2013 LH