Job Description

Marketing and Communications Coordinator, SCENE Commercialisation Programmes

(

Job Number:

25000818

)

Research and Innovation Services
Grade 6: - 18,483 - 22,304.40 which is pro rata the full time salary of 30,805 - 37,174
Fixed Term - Part Time

Contract Duration

:

This contract has a fixed end date of 30th April 2030 with the possibility of extension subject to funding

Contracted Hours per Week

:

21

Working Arrangements

:

Hybrid working arrangements available with a mix of on site and home based working

Closing Date

:

27-Jul-2025, 5:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement

:

Not Applicable.

Background; Strategic Research Commercialisation in the North East

Since 2018, the five North East universities have worked increasingly closely to build a strong collaboration to commercialise our research through the creation of high-growth businesses. Since launching the Northern Accelerator programme, 54 spinouts have been created, catalysing new investment and jobs.


Supported by Research England's CCF-RED fund with 8.9m in funding over a five year period, the Strategic Commercialisation Eco-system North East (SCENE) programme represents an exciting next phase in our regional collaboration with the aim of wrapping new activities around and into Northern Accelerator to strengthen our support for the spin out process, and building new services and activities to extend successful research commercialisation in new areas, such as licensing and commercial partnerships.


Underpinning these propositions is the creation and development of a structured and connected ecosystem around University research commercialisation, drawing together partnerships with business, investors and institutions to drive a sustainable step-change in our impact.


Through the delivery of seven workstreams over a five year programme, SCENE will:

Strengthen and expand the region's ecosystem, engaging businesses, sector bodies, Catapults and investors more actively in commercialising university research; Expand the pipeline of high-quality, investible new spinouts; Support growth for existing spinouts, helping secure them for the long-term; Increase adoption of university IP by businesses of all sizes in strategic sectors; Attract new UK and international investment into the formation and growth of research-led businesses; and Enhance structures, systems and leadership to support regional commercialisation ambitions.

SCENE is led by Durham University and involves as key partners the other 4 North East Higher Education institutions - Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside - who come together through Universities for North East England (UNEE).


SCENE is also supported by a number of strategic partners - our two Combined Authorities in the North East and Tees Valley, Catapults, Business Support organisations and key Businesses as well as associated universities in York and Cumbria.

The Role and the Department

We are seeking a skilled, creative and experienced Communications Co-ordinator who can provide excellent communications and events support to the delivery programmes within the SCENE programme and work with the programme team to support the commercialisation eco-system with a programme of excellent internal communications activity. The postholder will work closely with the Northern Accelerator Communications Manager and Partnership managers to ensure a seamless communications effort within the University partnership and with our key partners and strategic stakeholders.


The project is an ambitious and complex project with a number of workstreams which also interact with existing Northern Accelerator programmes and the role of communications will be key in ensuring the visibility of the various aspects of the programme and maintaining a strong sense of common endeavour.


Ideally, the postholder will have a good understanding of innovation and commercialisation purposes and mechanisms and be able to work flexibly and collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to design and ensure delivery of effective communication plans. They will also need to understand the purpose of our national and regional funders in allocating the resource, in order to maintain alignment of SCENE communications activity with the economic plans in the North East and commercialisation objectives of Research England and the Government.


The main duties of the post will be:

Working with the Head of Regional programmes, Programme Manager and other team members, design and ensure a strong and visible communications and events plan to support the effective delivery of the workstreams and key projects set out in the SCENE programme. Co-ordinate internal communications activity between the University partners and the wider network of Strategic partners to underpin the success of the commercialisation eco-system. Work closely with the Communications manager and wider network of Communications staff to ensure that there are complementary communication activities across the SCENE programme, Northern Accelerator, the Commercialisation and Spin Out Fund, and any other projects which re-enforce their brands and demonstrate the collaboration between North East universities. Provide support, advice, information, presentations and guidance to University staff regarding the communications activities within the project, including ensuring compliance with the expectations of partners and funders with respect of use of logos and other corporate or programme identities and to be the focal point for communications across the University and strategic partners. Monitor communications activities against a key set of metrics and make proposals for improvement

An illustration of the UNEE Governance Structures and SCENE Staffing Structures will be available

here.

The Department

The postholder will sit within Durham University's Research and Innovation Services (RIS) team, accountable to the Head of Regional Programmes.


RIS is a professional services directorate at the heart of Durham University which provides expertise, leadership and support to academics and professional colleagues across the University for all research, research-related, knowledge exchange and economic development activities and aims to strengthen their University's role at the leading-edge of research and innovation, inspiring change across the world and in our region.


The team is based in our exciting new professional services hub at Bolden House, which is located on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Bolden House brings professional services teams together across the University in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working.

Useful Links:

Helping Business - Durham University Home - Northern Accelerator Universities for North East England - Durham University 30 million to grow regional research commercialisation ecosystems - UKRI University spinouts to grow industries of the future with new government backing - GOV.UK UNEE Governance and SCENE Staffing Structures

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.


Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.


We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.


Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. We offer generous pension schemes.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.


We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.



Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience related to the field of communications.


2. Professional experience in the coordination of communications and event activities.


3. Experience and expertise in the development and delivery of external and internal communications plans and services.


4. Experience in the organisation of meetings and events of different sizes and purposes, equivalent to strategic meetings, conferences and showcases.


5. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of key stakeholders, customers and colleagues.


6. Experience of implementing communications policies and procedures for example in the management of brands.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

7. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.


8. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.


9. An understanding of the role of universities in the economy and the purpose of knowledge exchange or commercialisation activity.


10. The ability to prepare content for print and online publications and to curate websites.


11. Committed to continuing professional development.


12. Ability to plan and organise events, conferences and engagement programmes involving the Team and wider network of partners.


13. An understanding of the key outcomes and outputs of good communications and the ability to monitor and improve performance.


14. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.


15. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

Desirable Criteria

16. A professional qualification in a communication(s) related discipline.


17. Experience working in a professional role in a University.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.


While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

A CV. A supporting statement of no more than four pages which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. Ensure that the University's procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service provided and adapt ways of working where this is not evident. Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible for. Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as internal or external communications and the development of events and make recommendations based on your findings. Manage, maintain and monitor communications metrics and compliance to ensure the focus and direction of the programme. Provide the best possible service to key stakeholders, partners and staff by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service. Collect and record data and information accurately. Organise and analyse data and statistics to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to senior colleagues. Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.

Planning and Organising

Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role. Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events in accordance with agreed objectives. Supervise the work of staff, contractors and teams involved in delivering events, projects or core operational service. Seek feedback from key stakeholders, management and partners to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations. Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services and provide related advice and guidance to other staff.

Communication/Liaison

Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees. Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers. Build relationships with partners, stakeholders and university teams to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives. Any other reasonable duties.




Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.



When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

SECONDMENT

The post is full time, fixed term until Mar/Apr 2030 and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.