Description
Key Responsibilities:
- To generate media coverage to support the University's vision, strategic place, key messages and strengths.
- To generate lively written and visual content, relevant to external audiences.
- Identify opportunities for coverage, pitch stories, research and write press releases; to monitor and measure press coverage and maintain accurate record of press mentions.
- To be the main point of contact for media enquiries and give professional advice to senior staff and internal colleagues, ensuring they present the University effectively in their dealings with the media.
- The post-holder will hold media briefings with colleagues, where appropriate.
- To manage the University's reputation, taking a lead on crisis PR management.
- To manage the University's PR agency.
- To build and maintain good relations with key journalists (local, national, broadcast, and sector specific) and the press offices of relevant organisations.
- To produce written and visual content that enhances the reputation of the University and is relevant to a range of audiences, including potential students.
- To work closely with the Communications Advisers and academic departments to identify PR opportunities that raise the profile of the University's key messages and publicise the successes of academics.
- To work with the Internal Communications Manager to ensure external news is shared with internal audiences through the regular newsletters.
Key Skills:
- Experience of crisis communications.
- Experience of managing multiple projects and the ability to manage tight deadlines.
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Proved tenacity with a 'can do', and proactive approach to work.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the media, and an understanding of how to use social media to deliver PR goals.
- Proven experience in a PR role including experience of working on both proactive and reactive PR strategies.
- Significant experience of producing a wide range of written materials and excellent written communication skills.
- Tact, diplomacy, strong oral communication skills and the ability to convey complex information clearly and precisely.
- A willingness to work flexibility and to tight deadlines, including evening and weekend work when required.