Job Description

Robert Gordon University means dynamic leadership, multiple awards, a stunningly beautiful campus and a well-established reputation as an innovative, friendly and thoroughly modern university.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leadership role in the development of a corporate communications strategy, and to lead the implementation of the University's external and internal communications activities.

Your focus will be on strategic communications that enhance the reputation of Robert Gordon University in local, national, and international communities, and communicate University accomplishments through, and with, institutional stakeholders. You will also be responsible for all internal communications across the University and the content on the University website.

You will have a high degree of strategic communications capability as well as the creativity and ability to proactively lead communications campaigns. You will demonstrate proven experience of high-level writing skills and will bring experience of working quickly and accurately under pressure. You'll be responsible for the external communications staff and as such will have experience of leading a team and working in teams.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

We are committed to attracting and engaging a diverse range of staff and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome, comfortable to express their ideas, and can reach their full potential. For more information, please visit Our Diverse Workforce pages.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your availability against the requirements set out in the person specification.

As per the UKVI immigration rules, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship under this route is dependent on factors specific to the applicant and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

RESPONSIBLE TO

: Director of External Affairs

RESPONSIBLE FOR

: All Strategic, External and Internal Communication. The Communications team, the Content & Media Lead and the Web Development team, a total of 7 posts in the team

PURPOSE OF POST

: To lead the development of the communications strategy for the University, and to lead the implementation of the University's communications activities. In doing so, the focus will be on strategic communications that enhance the reputation of Robert Gordon University in local, national, and international communities, to raise awareness of the impact of the University through the delivery of its teaching, learning and student experience, its research and knowledge exchange and its contribution to economic, social and cultural initiatives and communicate university accomplishments through, and with, institutional stakeholders. Also, to be responsible for the university's internal communication and communication to university Alumni and to take ownership of the university website communication and web team. You will be responsible for providing strategic communications support to the University's leadership, including the Principal and the Executive.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

:

oTo set the communication strategy for the University in conjunction with all of the senior management groups of the University including the Principal, the Executive, the Directors of departments and the Deans of the Schools.
oTo oversee and manage the delivery of all communications campaigns and strategic content development to raise the profile of the University and build engagement with its mission to transform people and communities by providing high quality teaching, research and knowledge exchange and contributing to economic, social and cultural
development and environmental sustainability.

oTo provide guidance and communications support to the University's Executive and leadership group with all their communications both internally and externally and represent the Communications Team in all necessary forums and meetings.
oLead the delivery of the annual communications plan in line with the overall communication strategy and the university business plan and strategy ensuring that all communication and campaigns are delivered in an effective and efficient manner achieving and/or over-achieving the annual communication objectives.

oOversee the delivery of targeted media relations activity to achieve reputation-building press coverage especially in national or international press that enhances the university's reputation.
oManage crisis communications and advise senior decision-makers as necessary including the Executive and the Principal.

oLiaise with Deans of Schools, senior managers, and other university officials to support strategic growth of university's external profile in relation to promoting the various schools to their target audiences and using the to enhance the reputation of the university and raise the profile of the university.

oEnsure that the team is maintaining at all times an efficient and proactive relationship with all Academic Schools and university support departments to enable local delivery of university communication plans.

oLead the development of and ensure that University's website meets the needs of internal and external stakeholders and effectively promotes the University as a destination of choice for all learners. Ensure all website content is up to date on an on-going basis.

oActively look for opportunities to improve copy-writing on the website and linkages between communication objectives and website objectives as well as innovative ideas to improve re-usability of content across platforms.

oManage a continuously improving communication plan with all RGU Alumni in conjunction with the Fundraising & Alumni team.

oManage and develop the Communications Team focusing on editorial and digital content development for external and internal communications, and media relations activity as well as website content development and improvement.

oTake ownership of the University's reputation management, including the delivery of crisis communications protocol for external and internal communications.

oMonitor and report on all departmental priorities, activities and objectives. Ensure the measurement of effectiveness across all communication campaigns and provide analysis and insight to inform future activity, building and maintaining a culture of continual improvement amongst department staff.

oManagement responsibility for the Communications Team including three web content editors. Manage and improve the personal development of all members of the Communications Team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

First degree in communications related discipline and significant background in a senior corporate communications role.

Knowledge

Knowledge of the communications landscape relating to higher education in Scotland and the UK. Knowledge of how to develop, manage and deliver focused communications plans aligned with organisational or departmental strategies. Knowledge of how to lead and motivate a team to be proactive in achieving their objectives and to perform to the best of their abilities whilst prioritising their workload to hit organisational objectives. Proven high-level writing skills and multimedia content development ability, including creating content for digital and print channels to reach specific audiences. Strong project management and team working skills, while having the ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative and make key decisions. Knowledge of national and regional media in Scotland and the UK.

Experience

Experience of managing communications staff or a communications team. High degree of strategic communications creativity and ability to proactively lead communications campaigns that have cut-through and impact and hit organisational objectives. Excellent stakeholder relations capabilities, building positive working relationships with a wide range of people. Experience in generating a positive and productive work environment. Experience in coaching individuals and teams to develop their skills. Experience in delivering communications support and recommendations to staff within all levels of an organisation.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

oMember of a professional communications body.

Knowledge

oKnowledge of the communications landscape relating to higher education internationally.
oKnowledge and understanding of digital media and peer-to-peer communications strategies.

Experience

Experience working in higher education or public sector organisation. Experience or working in a private sector communication department or agency communication department. Experience of managing websites and linking communication objectives to website objectives.

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication

- Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Team Development

- Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts, delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities and identifying the training and development needs of the team and carrying out performance appraisals

Behaviour 3: Service Delivery

- Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers' expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.

Behaviour 4: Team Work and Motivation

- Experience of being an overall team leader for one or several sections, setting the goals, and directing to effectively meet team objectives.

Behaviour 5: Decision Making

- Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others.

Behaviour 6: Planning and Organising Resources

- Experience of being responsible for the operational planning and organisation of large projects or the coordination of a number of teams or projects, including setting performance standards and monitoring procedures.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 57,422.00-66,537.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking UK visa sponsorship Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aberdeen AB10 7GJ

Reference ID: RGU07424