Head of Communications & Engagement

Responsibilities

The role involves leading strategic communications and engagement initiatives to enhance the University's reputation across international, national, and regional platforms. You will manage internal and external communications teams, provide senior-level advice, and support a 24/7 out-of-hours function for major incidents.

Requirements

Candidates must have significant leadership experience in large, complex organizations and a proven track record in strategic communications and media relations. A degree-level education or equivalent experience is required, along with strong digital competence and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Skills

• Strategic communications
• Leadership
• Media relations
• Digital communications
• Social media management
• Stakeholder management
• Crisis communication
• Public relations
• Policy development
• Team management
• Strategic planning
• Influencing
• Project management
• Budget management
• Internal communications
• External communications

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• 8 public holidays
• 4 customary days
• University Superannuation Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
• Professional development courses
• Apprenticeships
• Discounted gym membership
• 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme
• On-site nursery
• Holiday camps for children
• Maternity and adoption leave
• Volunteering opportunities
• Benefits portal discounts
• Relocation assistance
• Visa cost coverage

About this role

The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and the Department
Head of Communications and Engagement
This senior level, strategic communications role is suited to professionals with significant leadership experience in large, high profile and complex institutions and used to working across large and varied portfolios, often at pace. You will guide, advise and develop strategies and plans focused on building and managing the University’s reputation internationally, nationally and regionally with key audiences and stakeholders.
The role is based within the Global Division: Advancement (Marketing and Communications, Development and Alumni Relations (DARO)). Collectively, the teams enhance and support the University’s reputation, student recruitment and revenue generation, and enable effective engagement with students, staff and stakeholders to advance the University’s mission and objectives.
This role reports to and deputises for the Director of Communications and Engagement, will line manage the external / internal communications teams and will also work closely with the Head of Corporate Marketing. While it is based within the communications team you will work across the three Advancement teams (Communications, Marketing and Development and Alumni Relations) to guide, advise on and deliver integrated strategic communications activity working across the PR mix, including digital and social media, media relations, events and internal / external stakeholder management.
You will chiefly be working with senior colleagues on a breadth of strategic activity but will also make a significant contribution to leadership and development of the communications team and a pan-University strategic communications community of practice.
A proactive and innovative approach is essential. You will provide professional communications advice and guidance and will identify and propose strategic communications solutions to opportunities and challenges. You will have high professional standards, excellent communications, influencing and leadership skills. You will be equally adept at strategy development as implementing tactical solutions, comfortable working at pace and with complexity.
You will have a breadth of national and international media contacts and will have extensive experience of front-line media relations, advising on media strategy and leading media teams. You will also be digital communications savvy, with extensive knowledge and experience of devising, delivering and supporting teams to deliver digital communications innovations and activity.
We would be particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have senior level strategic communications experience in large, complex organisations such as, but not limited to, Government departments and agencies.
As an essential part of the role, you will also provide significant support for the Director of Communications and the Head of Corporate Marketing in leading the Marketing and Communications team’s 24/7 out of hours function. This involves providing senior level strategic communications guidance and support at evenings and weekends to senior stakeholders and the on-call team for major incidents or matters of reputation.
This full-time role is based in Durham City (Palatine Centre). The University supports hybrid working arrangements with the expectation of two days minimum in the office per week but this could be more according to business need, for example where there are in-person meetings or events on campus. As this role requires depth and breadth of contextual knowledge of the University, including its staff, students and stakeholders, for the first 6-12 months it is expected that you will spend more days working in person in Durham. You will be required to work occasionally from the University’s administrative base in Boldon House, Pity Me as appropriate and to travel as per the requirements of the role e.g. to attend or deliver strategic / sector events or meet with key stakeholders.
A short summary of the role is available here: Role Summary
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many benefits you will receive if you join the University:
• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff, you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train
companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. The...

About Durham University

Higher Education · 51-200 employees · headquartered in Durham · founded 2017