Job Description

Department:Marketing & Communications (M&C)

Location:Moulsecoomb

Job Title:Internal Communications Manager

Post number:MK5043

Grade:8

Responsible to:Director of Marketing and Communications
Responsible for:Internal Communications team

Main areas of responsibility:

  1. Establish and lead a high-performing internal communications function and team on behalf of Marketing and Communications.
  2. Ensure that valid insight from students and staff (across all university campuses)informs internal communications methodology.
  3. Define and lead internal communication strategy and the implementation of effective, two-way internal communication channels.
  4. Have lead oversight of internal communication campaign activity and measurement.
  5. Provide specialist advice to the Senior Management Team, leaders and staff across the university about how internal communication can help them to achieve their objectives.

Specific duties:

  1. Lead a high-performing internal communications function and team on behalf of Marketing and Communications.
  2. Be responsible for ensuring that the internal communications
    function and team is fit for purpose, high-performing and
    supports the university’s structure and goals.
  3. Network with external experts and industry bodies so that internal communication recommendations, channels and products are in line with industry best practice.
  4. Recruit and develop internal communication practitioners with the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles professionally, competently and with influence.
  5. Work with colleagues across Marketing and Communications to develop practices and processes for effective internal/external communications alignment.
  6. Provide copywriting support via the Internal Communications team for strategic projects. Implement Marketing and Communications brand guidelines, style guidelines and positioning as applicable, and advise other departments accordingly.
  7. Manage a budget and prioritise where available resources can be used to best effect.
  8. Have responsibility for attending (and contributing Internal Communications team resource to) internal decision-making committees as applicable. For example providing internal communications input to the MATISSE programme board; Equalities Committee and Race Equality Committee and; project boards for staffcentral, studentcentral, National Student Survey, SID Online and Student Centres.

2. Ensure that valid insight from students and staff (across
all university campuses) informs internal communications
methodology.

2.1Ensure that the internal communications function has access
to valid stakeholder insight, drawn from independent research.

2.2 Use this insight to guide internal communication strategies,
tactics and decisions that support the business strategy.

2.3 Ensure communication meets the needs of specific staff and
student segments.

2.4Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications and
marketing team to develop audience insight that (once wider
university policies and procedures are also in place) might
inform a continuous customer journey from recruitment to
retention.

2.5 Design channels and materials that appeal to stakeholders;
speaking their language and using appropriate media.

2.6Facilitate staff dialogue and cross-functional collaboration to
enable SMT to listen and act, and choose strategies and
tactics that actively engage and involve stakeholders.

2.7Promote the work of the department and update the wider
university staff community about research outcomes to
improve colleagues’ understanding of the benefits
of insight-informed communications work.

  1. Define and lead internal communication strategy and the implementation of effective, two-way internal communication channels.

3.1Develop an internal communication strategy that is based on
valid insight and has been discussed and agreed with key,
senior stakeholders.

3.2Define and develop a range of communication channels,
setting out the purpose, target stakeholder groups, uses and
measures. Ensure this is the appropriate range of channels to
deliver business outcomes.

3.3Benchmark with other organisations to identify opportunities for
continuous improvement.

3.4Maximise the use of technology to improve the effectiveness of
internal communication activity, and ensure effective
stakeholder engagement.

3.5 Provide internal communications input into Marketing and
Communications processes and policies, for example the
Communications Team’s crisis communications plan.

  1. Have lead oversight of internal communication campaign activity and measurement.

4.1 Work with the Internal Communications team to ensure key
campaigns have agreed communication plans and that these
are effectively implemented and reported on.

4.2Oversee a clear calendar of activity for staff and student
communications.

4.3Manage team resources and advise where budget/resources
will be required from other departments.

4.4Ensure campaigns are planned in alignment with wider
Marketing and Communications activity.

  1. Provide specialist advice to the Senior Management Team, leaders and staff across the university about how internal communication can help them to achieve their objectives.

5.1Translate business strategy into internal communication
messaging, working closely with colleagues inside and outside
of the department, so that it is made meaningful to every part of ourorganisation.

5.2Provide incisive, effective and influential counsel to senior
leaders about internal communications including in crisis
management scenarios.

5.3Support leaders and managers to be better communicators by
providing them with timely, relevant and accessible training
and materials. Input into HR developments around objectives
and competencies around communication.

5.4Provide effective communication channels for leaders,
ensuring leaders understand and support business activities
before they are asked to communicate them to others.

5.5Input into Marketing and Communications reporting to the
Senior Management Team and university community.

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/experience

  • Educated to at least degree level or equivalent
  • A professional qualification e.g. CIM or CIPR
  • High-level experience gained from working in a strategic internal communication role in large and complex organisations.
  • Successful track record of developing and implementing internal communication strategies and plans.
  • Substantial experience of developing and managing intranet sites that meet the needs of the audience.
  • Knowledge of editorial design.
  • Substantial experience of managing external agencies with a track record of managing performance to deliver objectives and value for money.
  • Ability to interpret technicalities for non-technical audiences
  • High degree of literacy.
  • Operational experience of digital media to communicate with internal audiences.
  • Budget management experience.
  • Experience of brand and sub-brand development and management within a complex environment.

Leadership and people management

  • Demonstrable experience in a marketing management position leading a team of professionals, including the direct and indirect line management of staff to achieve objectives.
  • Leadership and experience at senior level in a complex organisation.
  • Ability to inspire, motivate and lead a team of professionals; challenging constructively.
  • Proven ability to develop others, demonstrating flexibility in management style.
  • Reflective.

Communication

  • The ability to develop a wide network of relationships/contacts at different levels across the university.
  • Have strong influencing and negotiating skills.
  • Exemplary communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Able to present complex concepts.
  • Aware of -- and able to meet – the information needs of others; able to communicate information in an understandable way, as suitable to the situation.
  • Assertive, credible, persuasive and diplomatic.
  • Strong advocacy and negotiation abilities.
  • Ability to deliver objectives through devolved teams without direct line-management responsibility.
  • Sensitivity: listens well and understands the needs of others.

Self-motivation:

  • Has a record of successful performance at an appropriate level of responsibility.
  • Sets and meets objectives on own initiative; is committed to continuous self-development and that of others.

Teamwork:

  • Flexible, co-operative, helpful.
  • Respects ideas and expertise of others.
  • Appreciates own strengths and weaknesses.

Organisation:

  • Excellent project management skills.
  • Experience of delivering on numerous complex projects; works systematically.
  • Uses time efficiently; meets priorities and deadlines with a minimum of supervision.

Response to change:

  • Prepares and plans self and others for change.
  • Adaptable; interested in learning and investigation.

Analysis, creativity & problem-solving, insightful:

  • Considers various perspectives and the overall picture.
  • solves problems and develops plans successfully.
  • Thinks and plans strategically.
  • Demonstrates clear insight into problems.
  • Ability to make decisions based on market evidence.
  • High level analytical, negotiating and influencing skills.
  • Ability to improve services through innovation.
  • Creative skills to find interesting ways to present information and to generate interest.
  • Excellent problem solving skills.

Technical skill:

  • Competent in the use of Microsoft office packages.
  • High level of understanding of evolving technologies and their application in relation to the media and internal communications.

Physical:

  • Able to use display screen equipment as a major part of the job according to health and safety guidelines; able to visit locations across the university and externally on a frequent basis.

Desirable:

  • An insight into the needs and priorities of staff and 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 of 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.

Date: June 2015