External Communication and Public Affairs Manager

The Role

We are looking to appoint a Communications Manager to manage the internal and external communications team. You will manage staff and activities in order to increase the reputation of, and trust in, the University regionally, nationally and globally, leading to enhanced student recruitment, student retention and engagement with partners and stakeholders.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Steve Thomas at

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

• Excellent working relationships with senior managers within the University.
• The Director of Communications and External Relations and the Internal Communications Manager
• A small team of Communications and Public Affairs officers focussed on external communications.
• Effective relationships with key stakeholders such as main contacts in the media and departments within the University.

• Manage the University's external communications team.
• As a main point of contact between the media and the University, take responsibility for delivery of external communications.
• Provide advice and support to the external communications team with media issues.
• Support and, where necessary, lead wider strategic communications campaigns on behalf of the University.
• Ensure that University representatives are prepared and supported for any media appearances.
• Support the Director of Communications and External Relations on the strategy and management of the University's external communications functions so that all target audiences receive accurate and timely information about the University, its developments, its aims and successes.
• Use a wide range of communications channels, including social media to build and maximise the reputation of the University to enable local and national audiences to understand the work of the institution.
• Contribute to policy developments for external communications.
• Gain and maintain a thorough understanding of the policy environment for higher education and ensure that the University is well placed to respond to new developments in the sector in communications and PR terms.
• Support the communications links and strong relationships with each Faculty/Professional Service department. Support the systems designed to ensure each Faculty/Department has an opportunity to develop its external profile in line with the strategic approach.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a robust audit-based approach to communications, ensuring feedback and measures of success.
• Manage and motivate the External Communications team, assigning all work, carrying out appraisal, personal development plans and training as necessary.
• Work with the Director of Communications and External Relations to contribute to the documents associated with the general management of the Department such as the annual Planning Round documentation and the Risk Register.
• Lead on external facing communications aspects of crisis management, including major incidents and serious incidents, collaborating closely with the Internal Communications Manager, and liaising with all relevant colleagues and where appropriate with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Manage ways of handling sensitive and confidential information often in situations of uncertainty, where information may be incomplete, often without precedent and may pose a high risk to the University’s reputation.
• Identify any potential risks to the University in respect of likely media coverage including social media.
• Identify the public relations and media training needs of key staff and ensure these needs are met.
• Provide advice to on-call personnel on media issues out of hours and provide an ‘out of hours’ PR / media service as required.
• Ensure strong communications links are maintained with partners/ key stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Communications and External Relations, and other senior…