Job Description

Department:Marketing and Communications

Location:Mithras House (1 day per week at Exion 27 and potential travel
to other campuses).

Job Title:Communications Project Officer (Health and Safety)

Post number:MK5074

Grade:4

Responsible to:Internal CommunicationsManager

The Internal Communications team, based in the Marketing and Communications department, is responsible for communications to approx. 21,000 students and approx. 2,800 staff. This role will develop, own and implement a communications plan on behalf of the University’s Health and Safety department – working closely with colleagues in both departments.

Main areas of responsibility:

  1. To project manage and deliver internal communication projects and activity relating to the university’s Health and Safety department,working under the direction of the Internal Communications Manager and Deputy Director of Health and Safety.
  1. To be the lead copywriter for internal communications about Health and Safety projects, with ability to publish content across university communication channels and platforms.
  1. To assist as required with other activities within the departments. To be a positive and proactive member of, and ambassador for, the departments of Health and Safety and Marketing and Communications.

Specific duties:

  1. To project manage and deliver internal communication projects and activity relating to the university’s Health and Safety department, working under the direction of the Internal Communications Manager and Deputy Director of Health and Safety.
  2. Supporting the Internal Communicationsteam to successfully communicate Health and Safety priorities and projects (via an approved communications plan) to relevant audiences, and responding to measurement/feedback.
  3. Considering (and proactively planning for) different communications scenarios (for example changes to Health and Safety work schedules or new service developments) to ensure that issues can be handled efficiently and effectively.
  4. Managing the production of internal communicationscollateralon behalf of the Health and Safety department (e.g. web content, emails, posters and flyers) including sourcing and proofing copy, selecting images, obtaining approvals/sign-off and liaising with the graphic design team and printers.

1.4Assisting with organising meetings and events to promote Health and Safety initiatives.

1.5Taking photos and producing simple video clips or ‘vox-pops’ to capture Health and Safety initiatives, for use in communications.

1.6Carrying out desk research on request; for example investigating how other universities are handling a particular issue.

1.7Measuring the success of communications activity, for example by reporting back to Health and Safety on email open rates and ‘click-thrus’, or ‘audience actions taken’ as a result of communications (e.g. event sign-up).

2. To be the lead copywriter for internal communications
about Health and Safety projects, withthe ability to
publish content across university communication
channels and platforms.

2.1Maintaining an appropriate awareness of Health and Safety policies, processes and guidelines in order to inform others.

2.2Sourcing, writing and launching news and feature content about Health and Safety projects.

2.3Copywriting as required, in line with the university brand guidelines, and seeking appropriate sign-off from applicable internal stakeholders.

2.4Publishing approved copy on university channels and platforms, including use of content management systems and trackable email platforms such as dotmailer.

2.5Liaising with key colleagues in the Health and Safety department to ensure a consistency in terms of content and style.

2.6Putting measurement in place to test the success of communications activity and supporting the Internal Communications team to provide proactive reporting.

3. To assist as required with other activities within the

departments.To be a positive and proactive member of,
and ambassador for, the departments of Health and Safety
and Marketing and Communications.

3.1Providing support toInternal Communicationsand Health and Safety teamsas required, to assist with heavy workloads.

3.2Actively participating in team and project meetings, and ensuring that Health and Safety communications work is joined up with Marketing and Communications processes and practices.

3.3General administration, responding to departmental and interdepartmental enquiries.

3.4Undertaking any other similar duties as required by the team.

Selection Criteria:

The criteria below indicate the qualities that are needed to do the job well. Candidates will be selected according to the extent to which they satisfy these criteria. Evidence of potential will also be considered. Most of the criteria must be met in order to qualify for selection.

Essential:

  • Knowledge/qualifications: demonstrable knowledge and understanding of marketing and communications theories and planning; techniques and practices acquired through study for degree or work experience.
  • Technical skills:demonstrable experience of usingstandard office software, for example, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; email platforms such as dotmailer; analytics packages such as Google analytics;ability to use or willingness to learn how to use content management systems such as SharePoint and WordPress.
  • Communication:clear, concise, timely and appropriate oral and written communication. High standard of accuracy in written work and able to effectively check copy supplied by others.
  • Analysis, creativity and problem solving:able to compare data sets and statistics to identify trends.Able to think creatively to overcome problems and make recommendations.
  • Sensitivity: listens well and considers others’ needs and perspectives; aware of confidentiality and has an understanding of dealing with sensitive issues.
  • Self-motivation: meets objectives on own initiative; committed to continuous self-development.
  • Teamwork: flexible; cooperative; helpful; self-aware; collaborates well with others; ability to motivate others.
  • Organisation: systematic; efficient; meets agreed priorities and deadlines. Able to work independently. Ableto manage multiple projects and at times report to multiple stakeholders. Professional approach to work. Reliable and punctual.
  • Response to change: Adaptable, prepared, positive and creative in response to change.
  • Physical: Able to travel to other campuses for meetings as required; able to lift, carry and set up exhibition and presentation equipment, according to health and safety guidelines.

Desirable:

  • Experience of working in marketing and communications on behalf of an internal client.
  • Experience of influencing others to engage in a project or cause.
  • Interest in developing a professional career in marketing and communications.
  • Appreciation of best practice use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook to achieve corporate communications goals.

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 of the duties or level of responsibility entailed.

Date: December 2015