Job title:Content Officer

Post number:MK5066

Reports to:Senior Content Officer

Department:Marketing and Communications

Location:Mithras House

Grade:5

Purpose of the role

TheContent Officerisaskilledwriterwhoisresponsibleforworking with information owners and makingsurethat,asaninstitution,we areabletopublish:

  • theinformationthatweareobligedto;
  • engagingcontentthatwill helpprospectivestudentsmakethechoicetostudyatBrighton.

TheContent Officeralso contributestothecreationandpublishingofcontentthatallowsustosharewhatwedotoextend ourreachandreputationamongstourtargetaudiences.

Main areas of responsibility

  • To structure content and create new web pages, making best use of guidelines and templates provided, keeping up-to-date search engine optimisation practices in mind and ensuring content such as video and images conform to the correct specification, as an expert user of the university’s website content management system (CMS);
  • To create content for a range of audiences, purposes and media, combining existing information with new information and manage the process of approval of new text, such as in-depth course descriptions;
  • To be expert in grammar, messaging, writing and style, adhering to the university brand in terms of tone of voice and house style guidelines;
  • To ensure all documents meet established content standards and work with developers to assess any technical challenges in displaying the content;
  • To work closely with colleagues and other content contributors from across the university, making sure that activities are coordinated, keeping in touch about progress, offering advice and support, and ensuring the appropriate approval processes for new content are followed;
  • To helpinformtheuniversity'scontentstrategythrough an awareness ofthelatestcontent-related trendsandtechnologies, competitor research, use of analytics, usability testing and content audits to gauge content effectiveness.

General responsibilities

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the university’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge /
  • Abilitytowork proactivelywithcolleaguesandtarget audiencesatalllevelsinaneffective,professionalmanner;
  • Excellentwrittenandoral communicationskillsandattentiontodetail;
  • Knowledge of brandawareness;
  • Knowledge of webcontent management;
  • AgoodunderstandingofplainEnglish guidance;
  • Anaptitudeforconsistencyandaccuracy;
  • Abilitytoextractsalientinformationfromcolleaguesandcondenseinto clear,concise,appropriatetexttotightdeadlinesandtocheckcopysuppliedbyotherseffectively.

Qualifications /
  • Adegreeinarelevantsubjectorequivalentexperienceofworkingin asimilarrole.

Experience / Has substantial experience of:
  • writingandeditingengagingcontentfor digitalandprintchannels;
  • presentingcomplexinformationinclear,coherentcopy;
  • managingrelationshipswithmultiplestakeholders;
  • planninganddeliveringprojects toagreedbudgetsanddeadlines.

Technical or work-based skills /
  • Atechnicallyproficientuserofstandardofficesoftware,forexample,Word, ExcelandPowerpoint;
  • Awareness of, and ability to use, analyticspackagessuchasGoogleAnalytics;
  • Experience of a content management system.

Other requirements /
  • Self-motivation:aproactiveself-starter,withtheabilitytosetandmeetobjectivesindependently;committedtocontinuousself-development;
  • Teamwork:ateamplayer,withtheabilitytocollaborate,contributeandinfluencepositively;flexible,co-operativeandhelpful;withtheconfidencetochallengeappropriately;
  • Organisation:anefficientorganiser,withtheabilitytomeetagreedprioritiesanddeadlinesand toplanandprioritiseachangingworkloadofmultipleprojects;reliable,calmandpunctual.

Desirable /
  • Astrongdesiretodevelopacareerasawriter,orwherewritingisakeypartofthejobrole;
  • KnowledgeoftheUniversityofBrightonandthelocalareawithinthecontextoftheuniversity’s audiencesegments;
  • Experienceofinfluencingotherstoengageinaprojectorcause;
  • Understandingofhighereducationissuesandpriorities;
  • Experienceofcommissioningvideoorphotographyforwebsites.

  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This post is part-time, for 14.5 hours per week and is permanent.
  • Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after five years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After five years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
Band 10 and above / 30 days / Band 10 and above / 30 days
  • More information about Marketing and Communications can be found hereprofessional services departments.
  • Read the university’s 2016–2021 strategy.
  • The university has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website

Date:May 2017