Vacancies

Vacancy for the post of Senior Press and Digital Communications Officer

The Russell Group, which represents 24 leading universities in the UK, are currently seeking a Senior Press and Digital Communications Officer to strengthen their Communications team. This is a permanent full-time post.

This is a new role in a busy Westminster office, for an organisation which values its people. The postholder will support the Director of Communications in developing the organisation’s online presence, including through our website and social media activity. They will also support our Media Relations Manager in implementing our communications strategy across national, regional and sector press, building their own network of journalists and key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will:

• Work with the Director of Communications to develop and execute a new digital plan, supporting the Chief Executive’s overarching strategy for the organisation. This will include developing the Russell Group’s online presence through our website and appropriate social media platforms.
• Provide press support to the Media Relations Manager, including through drafting media releases, reactive lines, articles, blogs etc.
• Build relationships with relevant colleagues across the Russell Group’s 24 member universities and other stakeholders to coordinate activity.  
• Provide counsel to the senior management team on digital and media communications.
• Take on out-of-hours duties where necessary to respond to media enquiries and emerging stories.
• Attend relevant events to represent the Russell Group.
• Participate fully in an integrated comms team which covers external relations, events and media, including social media.
• Experience of designing graphics and other online content is desirable.

We are looking for a motivated, creative and confident individual to fill this role. Ideally, you will have solid experience in both press work and digital communications, but we are happy to see excellent candidates who have stronger credentials in one of these areas but wish to develop the other. We want someone who understands how institutions can find a way of telling compelling stories about their work and values online, and who can help get our messages out through traditional media channels too. An interest in politics and public policy is important but you do not need a background in higher education. The successful applicant will have a proven track record in turning complex and sensitive policy into clear, well-drafted and persuasive messaging.

A full Vacancy Description including a detailed list of key competencies is available to download here:

The starting salary will be £33,000-£37,000 dependent on skills and experience. A higher salary may be available for an exceptional candidate

The post is based in Central London. Benefits include a generous career average pension, enhanced parental leave/pay and flexible working polices, an interest-free travelcard loan scheme, a cycle scheme and access to a subsidised canteen. The postholder will need to take part in an out-of-hours on-call rota as part of their duties.

Closing date for all applications: 5pm, Tuesday 6 August 2019

Only applicants invited to interview will be contacted. If you have not heard by 23 August 2019 your application will not have been successful.

To apply, please submit the following to rg.1@russellgroup.ac.uk by the application deadline:

An up-to-date CV including:

• details of your current and past employment including your current salary
• two references: your current or most recent employer; and a former line manager who could be contacted during the process.

A cover letter no more than two sides of A4 addressing the following points: 

• how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role
• why you are interested in working for the Russell Group.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Paul Purcell on 020 3816 1300.