Senior Creative and Content Manager

Role

Senior Creative and Content Manager

Grade 8 (£47,389-£58,225) per annum.

1 FTE (full-time- 35 hours per week) open-ended.

33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings-closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday). Use our total rewards calculator:  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g.; part-time working and job share options.

The Senior Creative and Content Manager will lead the strategic development and delivery of the University’s content, social media, and creative output. The role will oversee the University’s core social media presence, lead integrated content strategies aligned to student recruitment, research, reputation and engagement objectives, and drive innovation and excellence across all owned channels.

The role holder will act as the University’s senior subject matter expert for social media, content, and digital storytelling, advising senior stakeholders across the institution on channel strategy, campaign integration, brand consistency, and audience engagement.

The role will lead a global multidisciplinary creative content team comprising social media, graphic design, and artwork functions, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, audience-focused, and brand-aligned content across all platforms and campaigns.

The postholder will play a key role in shaping the University’s digital presence and reputation through strategic leadership, creative innovation, data-led decision making and effective people management.

• In conjunction with the Head of Marketing and Brand, develop and implement an overarching content and social media strategy aligned to the University brand and institutional priorities.
• Lead the development of integrated organic and paid content and social media plans with clear objectives to support student recruitment, research, enterprise, reputation and engagement goals across existing and emerging channels and platforms.
• Develop and oversee a cohesive content strategy across social media, digital campaigns and brand storytelling to ensure consistent messaging and audience engagement.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging trends, technologies, channels and platform developments to ensure the University remains at the forefront of digital communications and content innovation.
• Provide strategic guidance and expert advice to marketing teams and senior stakeholders on paid and organic social media activity, content strategy and digital best practice.
• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the content and creative team, ensuring the effective planning, prioritisation and delivery of campaigns, creative assets and social media activity.
• Line manage and develop a multidisciplinary team including social media, content and design specialists, fostering a high-performance, collaborative and creative culture.
• Oversee the production of best-in-class creative and digital content across social media and marketing channels, including video, photography, graphics, animation and written content.
• Ensure all creative and content outputs align with the University’s brand guidelines, accessibility standards and inclusive communications principles.
• Oversee the curation, scheduling and publishing of content across social media and digital channels, ensuring quality assurance and consistency of messaging.
• Lead the development of user-generated content initiatives, influencer engagement and student ambassador programmes to expand reach, authenticity and audience engagement.
• Work collaboratively across MRAC, academic schools and professional services to develop integrated campaigns and content plans supporting institutional priorities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to source, develop and coordinate compelling content opportunities across the University.
• Lead cross-functional projects and campaigns, working closely with communications, recruitment, web, brand and academic marketing teams.
• Utilise analytical, reporting and social listening tools to measure performance, provide…