Job Description

Job title: / Internal Communications Officer (temporary)
Department/School: / Corporate Communications Department
Grade: / 6
Location: / University of Bath, Claverton Down Campus
Job purpose
To support the Communications Manager in the implementation and delivery of a University of Bath internal communications strategy which will in turn, support the achievement of the University’s Corporate Plan objectives.
To work closely with managers, staff and students to ensure effective internal communications.
To ensure high quality, timely internal communications.
Source and nature of management provided
Communications Manager
Staff management responsibility
n/a
Career and Professional Development Activities
From time to time you may be asked to assist in the facilitation of CPD activities for you and your colleagues. This will form part of your substantive role and you will not receive additional payment for these activities.
Special conditions
The postholder may need to be flexible with their working hours to meet exceptional communications requirements e.g. in relation to adverse conditions etc.
Main duties and responsibilities /
1. / To exercise judgement in authoring, editing and prioritising information and to facilitate its most appropriate transmission.
2. / To maintain a dynamic, accurate, visually appealing online internal news service by managing requests for news and information to be published on the University’s internal & students’ homepages/website.
3. / To lead on the maintenance of other webpages with the support of departmental colleagues : Staff Info, Public Lectures, News archive, etc.
4. / To produce, edit and publish articles, reports, publications (online and printed) and other communications as required.
5. / To liaise with authors, photographers and designers as required to produce published work aimed at an internal audience.
6. / To approve and co-ordinate the timely publication of forthcoming events submitted to the University’s online What’s On calendar, obtaining appropriate authorisation where required.
7. / To advise on the internal publicity of events (timing, channels, wording of ads, etc) so as to ensure best attendance.
8. / To lead on proof reading and/or editing of articles received from departments/services for publication on the University’s internal & students homepages and advise on best web-writing practice, and advise originator on additional/alternative possible channels as appropriate.
9. / On occasions, with the agreement of the Communications Manager, to proof read other internal and external Corporate Communications publications – either online or in print.
10. / To assist and advise on internal communication options and content for ad hoc projects e.g. University Transport Survey, Parking Plus, Staff Discounts, with the agreement of the Communications Manager.
11. / As appropriate, to advise on wording of corporate internal communication messages from senior managers in order to best achieve their aim.
12. / To track and locate online news stories relevant to the University community and exercise judgement in their dissemination.
13. / To be alert to potential threats to the image & reputation of the University &/or Department, and bring to the attention of relevant parties (eg Head of CC, Security, University Secretary, PVCs)
14. / To be involved in the training / induction of colleagues within and beyond the Department, where agreed, in the effective use of internal communications channels.
15. / To liaise regularly with colleagues across all academic and professional services departments in order to be aware of their communications issues, maintain good working relationships and collaborate on more effective internal communications.
16. / To become and/or remain conversant with current developments within the internal communications and web-authoring fields, with the specific aim of improving staff and student communication.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager.


Person Specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / Assessed by
A/F / I/T / R
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent / X / X / X / X
Experience/Knowledge
Awareness of policy issues within the University / X / X / X / X
Specialised knowledge of best practice in internal communications / X / X / X / X
Skills
Excellent interpersonal skills – able to build highly effective working relationships across the University / X / X / X / X
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Ability to describe complex issues in a clear, concise, engaging and accurate manner / X / X / X / X
Highly effective computer literacy and web design skills / X / X / X / X
An informed sense of design and visual presentation / X / X / X / X
Ability to develop managers’ skills in producing effective communications / X / X / X / X
Highly effective editing and proof reading skills / X / X / X / X
Accuracy and immediacy, ability to work to tight deadlines / X / X / X / X
Ability to identify appropriate communications channels / X / X / X / X
Ability to maintain effective client relationships / X / X / X / X
Attributes
Commitment to and delivery of client service and to high quality customer service / X / X / X / X

Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References

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