Job description

The post holder will be responsible for delivering a broad communications and engagement portfolio of the Centre leading on communications, marketing, stakeholders’ engagement, and events. 

 

They will provide direct support to the Centre Manager and Directors, as part of a team working to increase the awareness of the CDT and develop and support its thriving community of postgraduate research students.

 

The activities of this post will include the maintenance and development of the CDT digital communications channels and the planning and delivery of both internal and external events. In addition, the post holder will provide general administrative support, as required, alongside the Centre Manager.

 

The EPSRC SMI CDT CDT is a collaborative partnership between two universities (King’s College London and Imperial College London); this post will work with colleagues across both institutions. Working closely with the SMI CDT Manager, the Operational and Management Team, the SMI Communication & Engagement Officer will develop close working relationships with academic and professional services staff at both King’s College London and Imperial College London.

 

The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with experience of communications and marketing ideally in a higher education context, coordination of activities and events, and able to manage relationships with partners. 

 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 24 months 

This is a full-time  post – but we are open to other flexible working requests (min 80%FTE).

 

Key responsibilities

Communications

•         In consultation with the Directors and Manager, lead on development and implementation of the communications strategy of the CDT for both internal and external audiences. 

•         Maintain and develop the Centre website (WordPress) and communications channels, such as social network sites (Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube), providing quarterly metrics for all channels.  

•         Plan and craft accurate web content, news pieces, email updates, reports, case studies and other publications for a variety of audiences, including PGRs, supervisors, and other stakeholders. 

•         Commission and deliver multi-media content including videos, brochures, infographics, charts, images and presentation formats. 

•         Proactively build and maintain a broad network of communications contacts including internal and external audiences, supervisors, alumni and non-HEI partners. 

•         Create and manage content for digital product, occasionally working with external creative freelancers. 

 

Marketing

•         Develop and implement a marketing and recruitment strategy, to ensure the CDT meet its annual student recruitment targets. 

•         Implement marketing plans for the attraction of applicants, in particular those from under-represented groups in academia and develop a comprehensive understanding of how to best engage with them. 

•         Use web analytics and other data to drive the development of appropriate communications channels to broaden the reach of the SMI CDT both internally and externally. 

•         Showcase research impact and engagement, as variously defined by HEFCE and research funders, including strategies for evidencing of impact, working closely with the Directors and Manager. 

•         Coordinate and edit marketing material, including gathering, drafting and editing content and working with graphic designers and printers. 

•         Develop and maintain close working relationships with colleagues in Marketing, Corporate Communications, Students and Education and other relevant departments across the School and the university.

 

Engagement & Coordination

•         Enhance our engagement and two-way communication with the student community, ensuring student voice feeds into the work of the CDT.

•         Develop and implement plans for bringing partners into CDT training and networking activities, including but not limited to: arranging seminars and masterclasses as part of the regular training programme; supporting cohort development with partner involvement in group projects and hackathons; and arranging partner engagement events for networking between external partners and students.

•         Oversee and develop the CDT industry placements (internships) function, including, engagement with relevant CDT partners, CDT students and university stakeholders.

 

Project & Event Management

•         Take a lead role in the organisation and delivery of events and external engagement work such as workshops, receptions, seminars, and public engagement events. This will include managing invitations and registration; event logistics; event marketing; liaising with speakers, delegates and suppliers; and evaluation and reporting. 

•         Measure and evaluate the impact of events among key audience through analytical and qualitative methods. 

•         Act as a point of contact for CDT students for advice on public engagement and widening participation activities, maintaining a record of public engagement activities. 

 

General administrative support

•         Working with the CDT Manager, monitor and administer the CDT email inbox, distributing and answering enquiries as appropriate. 

•         Provide administrative assistance to the CDT Manager and Directors, within the grade and scope of the post as required. 

•         Deputise for the CDT Manager when appropriate or assist with peaks in workload in other areas. 

•         Supervise temporary staff, as needed. 

 

Other duties

•         Undertake continuous personal and professional development through effective use of the College’s Performance Development Review scheme and staff development opportunities. 

•         Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working in partnership with academic staff in the Centre and more widely with colleagues in the School, Faculty teams and functional networks. 

•         Participate in local and national public engagement networks to share best practice. 

•         Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the CDT Manager and CDT Directors. 

 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria  

1.       Educated to degree level or has relevant work experience  

2.       Experience of communications, publishing and/or marketing. 

3.       Experience of event coordination for a range of different event types (including online and offline events). 

4.       Good working knowledge of web authoring, development and publishing tools 

5.       Up-to-date knowledge of social media channels and developments. 

6.       Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate and tailor content effectively for different formats and audiences.  

7.       Excellent digital skills, including software packages, communications and project management platforms, website management, social media. 

8.       Strong project management skills, ideally with experience in a large complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.  

9.       Proven ability to meet tight individual and group deadlines and to manage one’s own workload through effective prioritisation, time management and organisational skills.  

10.     High levels of accuracy and attention to detail in all areas of work. 

11.     Proven ability to exercise initiative and operate both independently and part of a team.  

12.     Commitment to principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and an understanding of how these principles are applied within the context of PGR training 

 

Desirable criteria

1.       Professional qualification in communications, particularly science communication.  

2.       Experience of Adobe Creative Suite and/or similar software packages and/or design and graphic skills.  

3.       Experience of developing evaluation strategies for impact or public engagement activities.  

4.       An understanding of the purpose and public engagement. 

5.       Enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing PGR student experience.