Deputy Director of Communications

Reporting to the Director of Communications & Advocacy, the Deputy Director of Communicationsis responsible for the operational management and delivery by two of the three teams within the Communications & Advocacy division.

• Media Relations (press office, strategic communications, faculty media and communications, crisis communications, media training)
• Internal Communications (staff communications and engagement, student communications and engagement)

The Deputy Director of Communications will be responsible for the line management, formal reporting and pastoral support of the Head of Media Relations and Head of Internal Communications. They will also ensure that the people, processes and systems are in place to build on current activities whilst preparing for future opportunities and challenges.

Communications professionals are highly valued at the University, both for who they are and for what they do. A key part of this role is to ensure that communications are considered as integral to how the University drives leadership, change and innovation in an increasingly challenging environment. As such, visible and effective collaboration is required with senior leaders, the academic community and professional service directorates to deliver cross-functional communications and engagement activities.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery by the Media Relations and Internal Communications teams and be responsible for the line management, formal reporting and pastoral support of the Head of Media Relations and Head of Internal Communications.
• Develop an operational plan, supported by appropriate digital tools, to co-ordinate external and internal communications activities against external and University calendars to maximise impact and deliver efficient team and workload planning. 
• Provide strategic oversight to the Head of Media Relations to ensure the University achieves positive, high impact national and international media coverage, raising the profile and defending the reputation of the institution.
• Develop new and effective approaches to staff and student engagement, building trust and dialogue between staff and the University, providing strategic advice for major programmes, and delivering visibility strategies for Executive Board members.
• Lead the development of strategy and delivery of communications via digital and social media channels by all teams to enhance external reputation, student and staff communication.
• Lead the development of effective crisis communications at Silver level, providing calm but confident advice and guidance to senior leaders as appropriate.