Job Description

Job Title: Communications Manager – Technology Group

About SLC
Student Loans Company is a non-profit making Government-owned organisation set up in 1989 to provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK.We are responsiblefor student support delivery in the UK.
Company Mission
We enable our customers to invest in their futures by delivering secure, accurate and efficient assessment, payment and repayment services.
Company Vision
Our vision is to be valued as a digital, customer-focused, centre of excellence.
Job Details
Overview of department:
The Operations department acts as the Office of the Chief Information Office (CIO) and supports the CIO and wider Technology Group Function by enabling the provision of consistent, high quality IT for the SLC through a compliant and accountable route.
Specifically the communications team provides communications support across the Technology Group. This team design and deliver regular, high-quality communications and support; alongside promoting the Group’s service offer to increase the awareness, understanding and trust of the Technology Group brand across the company.

Grade: G4

Reporting to:

Operations Manager – Technology Group
Budget Responsibility:
Annual Communications Budget for Technology Group of circa £150k

Line Management Responsibility:

One to Two Communications Assistants
Job Purpose:
To manage the design and delivery of regular, high-quality communications and support; alongside promoting the Technology Group’s service offer to increase the awareness, understanding and trust of the Technology Group brand across the department.
Key responsibilities:
  • Day to day running and development of the Technology Group Communications Centre
  • Development of the Technology Group communications strategy and aligned communications plan; managing plan implementation
  • Development and embedding of the Technology Group brand and values within the Group, including ownership of ‘marketing collateral’
  • Production of brand and communications guideline book and monitor adherence to this
  • A requirement to design, plan, edit and write content for a variety of internal communications mediums, such as a intranet, Technology Group newsletter or regular email bulletin.
  • Ensure internal communications messages are consistent across all mediums and for different departments of the organisation
  • Ensure internal communication messages are consistent with external communication messages
  • Development of communications activity which supports key Technology Group events such as conferences, away days etc
  • SLA reporting / MI on communications
  • Help develop and deliver presentations and events as required, working to specific commissioning briefs and using the key business events calendar
  • Preparing responses to questions received through SLC mailboxes eg Ask Adrian
  • Pro-actively engage/support/contribute to the delivery of the Technology Modernisation Programme
  • Assess the impactand evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies and plans. Identify lessons learned and share feedback with colleagues
  • Manage feedback process, answer questions in response to (points raised in) communications (with support from others as required).
  • Respond to feedback from staff and adjust communications content accordingly
  • Production of the Leadership Team cascade and management of the weekly floor stand ups
  • Co-ordination and delivery of communications activity which supports key Technology Group events such as townhalls, conferences, away days etc
  • Finding new ways to promote digital delivery / social media options of communications within Technology Group
  • Provide support and clarification to managers to help them deliver key messages and strengthen the internal communication cascade process
  • Handle the internal communication response to crisis situations.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Qualifications/Experience
  • Membership of professional body (eg CIPR or PRCA) or two year’s experience in an internal communications role
Essential
  • Degree or two year’s experience as a Communications Manager / Executive or similar support role, not necessarily in a communications environment
  • Experience of working on internal communication projects using a variety of tools, techniques and channels, working with minimal supervision
  • Experience of planning , structuring and delivering internal communication activities within a large, complex organisation
  • Experience of change management communications
  • Ability to manage deadlines, timetables, multi-tasking and priorities.
  • Ability to present information clearly using different media, tools and channels, adjusting tone of voice for different internal audiences.
  • Communicates effectively at all levels, including senior managers, in a style appropriate to the audience
  • Excellent negotiating and influencing skills
  • Strong networking skills
  • Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
  • Proficiency in MS Office suite
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Events management skills
Desirable
  • Experience of working in an IT department or technical environment
  • Operational experience
  • Experience of using design software (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign) and content management systems

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