Strategic Communications Manager

Role

Title:

Strategic Communications Manager

Grade and Salary:Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (24 months)

Reward and Benefits
: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator:  see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

The Strategic Communications Manager is responsible for leading the planning, development and delivery of integrated strategic communications that support the University's Strategy 2035, institutional priorities and corporate reputation.

Working across the University, the postholder will translate complex institutional priorities into clear, engaging communications that strengthen understanding, build trust and enhance Heriot-Watt University's reputation among internal and external audiences.

The role provides strategic communications advice to senior leaders, develops communications approaches for major institutional initiatives and ensures communications activity is coordinated across the Communications and Engagement team. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Communications Directorate (MRAC), the postholder will ensure strategic communications complements marketing, recruitment, brand and digital activity while maintaining responsibility for institutional communications and engagement.

The postholder will exercise significant professional judgement in determining appropriate communications approaches, balancing organisational priorities, reputational considerations and stakeholder needs.

The Strategic Communications Manager will:

• Lead the development and implementation of integrated communications strategies supporting Strategy 2035 and other major institutional priorities.
• Develop communications approaches that translate complex organisational priorities into clear, engaging and audience-focused communications.
• Lead communications planning for major institutional programmes, organisational change, strategic projects and corporate initiatives.
• Ensure communications activity supports the University's strategic objectives and contributes to institutional reputation and stakeholder confidence.

• Act as a trusted communications adviser to senior leaders, providing professional advice on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, messaging and reputational issues.
• Identify communications risks and opportunities and recommend appropriate communications approaches for complex or sensitive issues.
• Develop messaging frameworks, communication plans and key narratives supporting institutional priorities.
• Provide communications expertise to University project groups and senior decision-making forums as required.

• Lead communications supporting members of the University Executive and senior leadership.
• Develop speeches, presentations, briefings, key messages, articles and leadership communications.
• Ensure executive communications are aligned with institutional priorities and reflect the University's values and strategic direction.

• Lead annual strategic communications planning across the Communications and Engagement team.
• Coordinate integrated communications activity to maximise impact and ensure consistency of messaging.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across MRAC to align communications activity with marketing, recruitment, admissions, brand and digital priorities.
• Identify opportunities for integrated campaigns and cross-University communications that enhance organisational effectiveness.

• Build productive working relationships with colleagues across Schools, Global Research Institutes, Professional Services and international campuses.
• Develop communications approaches that strengthen engagement with staff, students, alumni, government, industry partners and wider external stakeholders.
• Represent the Communications and Engagement team on institutional working groups and project boards where appropriate.

• Oversee the development of high-quality communications content across a range of channels and formats.
• Ensure communications are audience-centred, accessible, inclusive and aligned with the University's tone of voice and brand.
• Champion innovative approaches to communications, including appropriate use of digital technologies and emerging communication tools.

• Establish appropriate objectives and measures of success for strategic communications activity.
• Evaluate communications performance using qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Use audience insight, engagement data and evaluation to inform future communications planning and continuous improvement.
• Prepare reports for senior leaders demonstrating communications impact and outcomes.

• Line manage the Communications and…