Manager for Social Sciences External Relations. Full time. Permanent. External and internal candidates

Transcription

1 Job Description Post Title and Post Number Organisation Advertising Description College Marketing and Communications Manager for Social Sciences External Relations Post Number Full Time/Part Time Duration Post is open to: Full time Permanent External and internal candidates Grade Grade 8 Salary Starting salary is normally in the range 37,756 to 45,053. With potential progression once in post to 50,688 a year. Terms and Conditions Administrative and Other Related Closing Date 28 April Job Summary Working directly to the Head of Marketing, the post holder will be responsible for managing marketing, student recruitment and conversion, internal and external stakeholder communications, high profile events, and external facing online content across the College including websites and digital media content. They will play a key role in working with the Head of College, Director of Operations and Directors of Education, and Research & Knowledge Transfer to develop marketing and communications activities across the College and then leading on the implementation of those activities. In addition they will have the opportunity to lead University wide marketing projects. The post holder will work collaboratively with other specialists in the University s External Relations Division such as Media Relations, Student Recruitment, Stakeholder Relations, International Relations and Admissions to ensure that planned activities at both College and Corporate level are realised. Working Context: The College of Social Sciences comprises four Schools Birmingham Business School, the School of Education, School of Government and Society, and the School of Social Policy as well as a number of Research Centres and Institutes. The College brings together over 360 academics (including 86 professors) and 264 professional staff across a range of disciplines and interdisciplinary fields.

2 The Schools collectively offer a diverse range of successful taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses (including continuing professional development), as well as postgraduate research and doctoral opportunities. Research reflects real-world challenges faced by communities, organisations and governments, and over the last five years the College has won around 33million in research awards. Research funders include Research Councils, International Funders, UK Government, UK Charities, European Union, UK industry, the NHS and Local Authorities. Main Duties Strategy, planning and line management responsibilities Strategic management of all College marketing communications, recruitment and conversion activities as appropriate, and line management of staff within the functional team, working with College administrative and academic related staff as necessary, in partnership with the Director of Operations. The post holder will have line management responsibility for the College s marketing and web team, and as such has strategic oversight of all marketing, communications and recruitment activity. The post holder will be responsible for leading, planning and developing relevant marketing strategies and communications plans for activities across the College, ensuring that it is in line with the University's marketing strategy and the wider University Strategic Framework, as well as reflecting the needs of the College. This will include reviewing and improving existing College marketing, advertising and promotional plans and activities, on an ongoing basis, particularly in relation to fluctuations in the undergraduate and postgraduate markets during the recruitment cycle. It will also involve providing marketing advice and direction to marketing and non-marketing staff within the College. They will need to demonstrate a sophisticated knowledge of the full range of marketing specialisms, including both above and below the line, research and evaluation. The College Marketing & Communications Manager will attend College level committees (including College Learning & Teaching Committee, College Leadership Forum and Operational Management Committee) as appropriate and College Board by invitation and in accordance with business needs. The post holder will act as the main point of contact between the College and the Marketing Communications and Web Team, as well as the wider External Relations Division. They will ensure that the relevant College committees are aware of relevant activities and plans within External Relations, and simultaneously to keep appropriate teams within the Section up-to-date on College developments, including research successes, opportunities for press coverage and wider stakeholder and public engagement, etc. The postholder will play an active role in the strategic direction of the College, and will be a core member of both the College Change Management Group and the Operational Management Group. The postholder will also assist in the creation of materials to support Chair/Professorial and other senior appointments as well as general cross-college promotional materials. The post holder will offer communications support to the College senior management team including the development and delivery of internal communication channels and other opportunities to ensure effective staff communications.

3 The College Marketing & Communications Manager will be responsible for the marketing budget, co-ordinating the budgets associated with College marketing activities, including all advertising and publications spend. Recruitment and conversion activity The post holder will lead on recruitment and conversion activities for the College, working in partnership with members of College Board, relevant College committees and individual schools and departments. They will oversee the implementation of conversion strategies, working alongside the central teams and using the University's Customer Relationship Management system. The post holder, with the central Recruitment teams, will investigate opportunities and devise appropriate marketing plans to enable the College to meet recruitment targets for international as well as home students. In conjunction with colleagues in Recruitment, Admissions Office and Marketing, the post holder will identify new market opportunities, or threats for the College, at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development level. They will develop and implement marketing projects based on this knowledge. The post may involve some travel both across the UK and overseas. The post holder will assist with the co-ordination and improvement of key recruitment and conversion activities including Open Days, Applicant Visit Days, Feeder School Activities and Discovery Days etc. The post holder will also co-ordinate the work of the cross-college Undergraduate Student Recruitment Support role. Market analysis and portfolio development The post holder will take a lead role in undertaking market research to make recommendations to members of College Board, College Programme Approvals Committee (CPARC) and University Programme Approvals Committee (UPARC) on programme proposals, new market opportunities and declining markets to inform portfolio development in all areas of activity. This will include: - Continuous market scanning to identify possible new markets and opportunities - Market research for the development of new programmes and streams of activity, or the discontinuation of old ones - Working with the Director of Education and College Planning Partner to explore current patterns of provision, including methods and patterns of delivery, curriculum content, fees, take up trends, and direction of markets and innovation for each area - Work with the Market Analysts in the External Relations team to provide statistical analysis for the College to inform portfolio development - Work in collaboration with colleagues in Planning, Academic Services and Admissions on existing data sources within the University as well as sourcing and analysing external market data. - This may also involve commissioning market research with external providers and project managing these relationships

4 - The post holder will be experienced in market segmentation and demographical and geographical profiling and prospecting analysis. To report back to senior management teams as necessary on findings that the post holder regards as significant, as dictated by their knowledge of and experience of the University and its marketing strategies. Reputation, profile and brand The post holder will oversee the development of academic and professional staff to further develop their role as Public Intellectuals ensuring that the College continues to enjoy a strong public affairs, policy and media presence. This includes providing tailored training and lunch and learn style training sessions on working with the media ; using social media to promote your research and how to get your work published. The post holder will also further develop and expand this work to meet the development and reputational needs of the College and its staff. The post holder will ensure that all College marketing and communications are consistent with the University s brand guidelines and standards. They will act as a brand champion for the University, maintaining quality standards of print production and promotional activity. Taking the lead from the Head of College and members of College Board, they will be responsible for managing the development of the profile and reputation of the College, its research and its individual schools. This will include working with colleagues in Stakeholder Relations to support the development with policy makers and other key stakeholders, via mechanisms such as policy commissions, etc. The College Marketing and Communications Manager will have overall responsibility for high profile events, international and UK based conferences and exhibition stands ensuring that they are run to a high standard and that they are in line with the strategic priorities of the College. The post holder will assist the Schools and Research Centres/Institutes with the development of their external profile including identifying their distinctiveness and articulating that distinctiveness across all written, print and online channels. The post holder will develop advertising plans and policies for the College and advise staff on the merits of advertising opportunities as they arise. This will include the development of both print and online advertising campaigns. Web and digital responsibilities Working collaboratively with the College Web Manager, the post holder will oversee the development of the College's online presence. This will include all School, Department and Research website content; the regular update and refresh of online course information (on University and external online platforms including UCAS and recruitment sites etc) and opportunities to enhance the College s research presence online. The post holder will oversee the development of digital marketing opportunities, including digital advertising campaigns and the production of rich media content across all platforms including podcasts and video content.

5 The post holder will oversee all College social media and ensure that they work seamlessly with University channels. Responsibilities within the Marketing and Communications team The post holder will be responsible for managing and implementing University-wide projects, as identified with the Heads of Marketing. They could include projects such as integrated marketing and communications reputational campaigns, projects to enhance marketing, recruitment and admissions activities, and organising key cross- University events. They will be part of a wider University Marketing, Web and Digital team, working closely with other College Marketing Communication Managers to identify and share best practice, and look for opportunities for synergies across College marketing activities. To encourage collaboration with colleagues in External Relations the post holder will spend between one and two days a week based with the central External Relations team. During this time they will be working on College or University wide projects as agreed with the Head of Marketing and College Director of Operations. To share responsibility with the Heads of Marketing for promoting the activity of the Marketing and Communications team and the wider External Relations division to the internal market to ensure lines of communication both in and out of the division are clear. To further deputise for the Heads of Marketing as required. Other responsibilities Encourage and co-ordinate best marketing practice across the College by providing support to staff through training, presentations, workshops and personal advice. Working with colleagues in other central services to identify models of best practice for use in staff training exercises to raise general marketing expertise within the College, as required. To ensure close liaison with the appropriate Press Officers, Business Engagement, Development and Alumni Relations colleagues, Development Officers and Academic Services staff to contribute to and initiate combined projects with these other key staff. Represent the College to outside bodies as appropriate, initiate and maintain good strategic relationships with outside organisations and initiate appropriate collaborative projects with these partners. Person Specification Degree level education High standards of written and oral communication, evidenced by a portfolio of examples Significant marketing experience with staff management experience in a large or structured organisation Leadership of and experience of managing web and digital marketing

6 Ability to perform to deadlines and budgetary constraints Facility in collecting, handling and analysing research data Copywriting skills Abilities to lead, motivate and negotiate as well as work as an effective team member Creative and innovative approach to problem solving