Communications pathway

Welcome to the Communications Career Pathway.

Below you are able to access information, by grade, on some of the roles available within this and other pathways that might be of interest. Click on the grade/role you are interested in to reveal further information.

For a more comprehensive overview of this Pathway a PDF version is available to download below.

Communications Pathway (PDF, 138kB)

Other sources of support and guidance are available from the home page.

Case Studies

• Case study 1 (PDF, 55kB)
• Case study 2 (PDF, 127kB)
• Case study 3 (PDF, 126kB)
• Case study 4 (PDF, 127kB)

Grade L - Head of Public Engagement/Public Relations

Summary of role

• Strategic leadership of public engagement strategy development and implementation
• Line manages the Marketing Officers
• Reports to the Director of Communications
• Responsible for
  • The Marketing Officers
  • The Public Relations Office and its interactions with international, national and local media
  • The University’s key publications including the prospectus and annual review
  • The central web team.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of strategy development and implementation.

Opportunities elsewhere

• School Manager

Grade K - Head of Public and Ceremonial Events Office

Summary of role

• Responsibility for the strategic planning and budget of events, graduation ceremonies and the public lecture programme.
• Ensuring that the University’s reputation with external audiences is maintained and developed.
• Overall management responsibility for the graduation team, the events team and the post and reception services.
• Liaison with the senior management team and academics on the shape direction of the University’s ceremonies and events.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Significant project management experience (possibly supported by qualification).
• 5+ years experience in similar role

Opportunities elsewhere

• School Manager
• Research Development Manager (CPE)
• Institute manager

Grade J - Web and New Media Officer

Summary of role

• Web and New Media Officers have responsibility for the strategic development of the University’s online presence to a wide-ranging external audience and key internal stakeholders through professional web activity.
• Each Officer has a defined area of responsibility in terms of Faculties, Schools and departments (including some Professional Services departments.
• The range of work is very wide but includes the analysis, planning, developing, monitoring of websites and new media within the overall University web and new media presence.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Substantial professional experience in a web environment within a large institution
• Strategically developing web and new media content
• A thorough understanding of complex web publishing workflows
• Ability to write for the web using clear, accurate and concise English. Must demonstrate an understanding of the difference between writing for the web and printed publications
• Experience and knowledge of web page creation and structures, including XHTML, CSS and image and SEO optimisation
• Knowledge of accessibility principles/issues and the University’s legal obligations
• Excellent knowledge of current web standards
• Experience and knowledge of user-centred designs
• Excellent understanding of web analytics
• Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload, including the need for flexibility and multi-tasking over a range of activities
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritising effectively to ensure all deadlines are achieved.

Opportunities elsewhere

• Research Development Assistants (CPE)

Grade I - Communications Officer (CPE)

Summary of role

• Leads on communicating about public engagement internally and externally, through a range of online, social and print media

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Significant experience (2+ years) plus specialist knowledge of particular area.
• Proven excellent written and oral communications skills.

Opportunities elsewhere

• Research Development Associates
• Deputy School Managers

Grade H - Web Support Officer

Summary of role

• Works under the supervision of the Web and New Media Manager and/or other Web and New Media Officers.
• Helps design, organise, present, maintain and monitor a range of high-profile content on the University’s website and social media channels, enabling effective communication of its core business and activities to a diverse range of external and internal stakeholders

Skills, knowledge and experience

• A thorough understanding of XHTML and correct semantic mark-up
• Substantial experience in web and new media development typically spanning three years
• Experience of Content Management Systems (CMS)
• An understanding of the workflow involved when publishing web content (create, edit, approve/review, publish, etc)
• Serif Photo Plus and Photoshop – image manipulation and optimisation, using image templates
• MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
• Experience and knowledge of usability principles and issues; understanding of best practice with a view to enhancing a user’s web experience
• Good knowledge of accessibility principles and the University’s legal obligations
• Experience of working in a large and complex organisation.

Opportunities elsewhere

• Senior Executive Assistant

Grade G - Events Officer

Summary of role

• Organising and delivering events and a programme of public lectures.
• Coordinating with academics to agree on lectures and abstracts, booking speakers and making the associated arrangements
• Writing event plans and briefs.
• Booking rooms, AV and catering for all events.
• Organising all publicity and social media for events.
• Supporting the graduation process and the running of ceremonies.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Experience of managing medium sized events and small-medium projects.
• 1-2 years relevant experience.

Opportunities elsewhere

• Senior Executive Assistant

Grade F - Office Manager (PACE)

Summary of role

• Provides administrative and PA support to the Head of PACE, the Director and to the events team
• Undertakes the management of the database for the staff side of all graduation ceremonies
• Provides support and co-ordination for the Honorary Degrees Committee
• Secretary to the Web Board
• booking national and international travel arrangements, managing expenses claims and complex diary management
• Day-to-day management of the departmental budget
• Updating and maintaining the departmental web pages
• Dealing with incoming communications via a variety of media.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Good administrative skills (1-2 years experience)
• Budget management experience
• Good customer service skills
• Demonstrable interest in area.

Opportunities elsewhere

• Executive Assistant
• Other Administrative Roles

Grade D - Reception Assistants

Summary of role

• Providing a professional and welcoming reception service to visitors, students and staff in Senate House.
• Answering queries and providing information and advice.
• Receiving candidates for interview and other scheduled visitors for meetings.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Good customer skills.

Opportunities elsewhere

• Admin Assistants in Schools and Faculties