Job Related Information

Transcription

1 Job Related Information This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with your application. 1. Role Details Vacancy reference Job title: Reports to: Salary: Terms and conditions: Communications Manager (EECP) Head of Corporate Communications 39,324 to 46,924 (Pro-rata) Academic Related Grade Grade 8 Duration of post: Working hours: Location: 18 Months 22.5 hours per week Milton Keynes Closing date: Type of application form accepted: Number of referees required: Unit recruitment contact: Monday 2 October 2017, 12 noon Short version, CV and covering letter or statement Three Comms-recruitment@open.ac.uk The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 1 of 7

2 2. Summary of duties Purpose Statement To advise on and personally deliver professional, timely and trusted communications which motivate, inspire, inform and engage internal and external stakeholders to embed the University s Employability Principles. You will form part of the Communications team working with and for the Enhanced Employability and Career Progression Programme, and will be asked to be responsible for elements of the following: Main Responsibilities Develop and deliver an overarching internal and external communications strategy and communications plan to meet objectives laid out in the Communications Unit and Enhanced Employability and Career Progression Programme, monitoring success against pre-agreed criteria and striving for continual development. This includes managing core internal channels such as the intranet, video-messages and case studies, updates, social media and engagement events. You will also collaborate with colleagues across the Communications unit to deliver engaging communications which reach external academics, employers, prospective students and the Universities other key ambassadors such as current students, alumni and friends. Work with the Enhanced Employability and Career Progression Programme Manager and Steering Group members the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and relevant Associate Deans, and their teams to advise on how best to engage internal and external stakeholders with the University's Strategic plan then develop and coordinate communications, providing coaching for leaders and managers who require support in tailoring and delivery within individual Units/functional areas to maximise engagement. Work with Pro-Vice-Chancellor, relevant Vice Chacellor Executives (VCE) and their teams to advise on how best to develop a proactive, outward looking and flexible culture in employability and career progression, then develop and coordinate communications, providing coaching for leaders and managers who require support in tailoring and delivery within individual Units/functional areas to maximise engagement. Provide advice, guidance or practical support to significant change programmes. You may be called upon to: design and implement a communications plan to support the objectives of the programme support members of VCE and other Senior managers in their leadership of the programme work across complex programme teams for expert input to communications communicate to multiple audiences with varying information requirements liaise with colleagues across the Communications Unit and Enhanced Employability and Career Progression Programme to prepare proactive and reactive communications for media, government and other stakeholder audiences manage and mitigate communications risk build communications skills and capability in the Programme Team, identifying core communications skills requirements and planning how these will be met. Develop and/or deliver via appropriate internal and external communications and the University s corporate narrative around innovation and excellence in teaching, particularly around the embedding of key employability skills. Support the delivery of rapid response communications, either providing operational assistance to the cross Unit, Programme Team and University group, or as responsible for internal and external communications and monitoring to support that response. The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 2 of 7

3 Inspire, motivate colleagues within the Unit to support the delivery of your communications strategy and plan. This involves: o convincing the Editorial planning team of the value of your plan o effectively briefing your colleagues (often peers) to deliver by your plan coordinating and monitoring activity across the unit and its impact against your success criteria working with colleagues to evaluate impact, celebrating success and encouraging continual improvement. Ensure, through good planning, communication and close collaboration, that the Communications team and Enhanced Employability and Career Progression Programme are successful, and fully support the planned and reactive communications needs of key stakeholders. Act as key contact point for internal and external queries about the work of the Enhanced Employability and Career Progression Programme 3. Person specification Requirements (E = Essential/ D = Desirable) Education, qualifications and training Essential: A first degree and a professional certificate or diploma in PR or Personnel discipline or equivalent professional experience. Desirable: Recognised Project Management accreditation. Specialist or professional qualification in internal and external communications are essential requirements. Knowledge, work and other relevant experience Essential: Extensive experience of internal and external communications management, the majority of which should have been spent in a large, complex, multi-disciplinary organisation. Experience of Intranet and Internet content, editing and management is essential. Experience using social media as part of an integrated communications plan. Significant experience of setting up and managing the delivery of cross-organisational, multiaudience communication projects including: o engaging with multiple stakeholders o acting in an advisory capacity to senior management o delivering impactful campaigns across a wide mix of media o Influencing and relationship building Proven track record of delivering to agreed timescales and briefs. Proven ability to deliver effective internal and external communications with demonstrable impact. Significant experience of communicating change to multiple audiences. The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 3 of 7

4 Experience of scenario planning and managing crisis communications. Experience of leading teams (often of peers) to deliver a successful outcome. Experience of managing several projects simultaneously applying best practice in Project Management. Desirable: Experience of working in a public relations role Personal abilities and qualities Essential: A passion for the Higher Education sector and a keen interest in innovation and best practice in teaching and learning, particularly digital innovation. Excellent writing skills a proven ability to write engaging and accessible copy for different audiences and channels, conveying key points clearly and concisely. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to network and build contacts both within the University, at all levels, and with external partners. Excellent knowledge of how different approaches (social media, text narrative, video, interaction) impact on objectives, and strategic decision-making as to when and how to use different content types to their best effect. First class project management skills, including managing project teams including staff senior to you, peers and juniors. Confidence with digital and audio-visual tools and channels and a desire to be an early adopter of new entrants (e.g. digital content management, videography with simple handheld devices, management tools such as MailChimp, social media). Comfortable with statistics and keen to monitor performance in order to understand what success looks like, what is good practice and what learning can be taken out of previous performance. Desirable: Experience of using SharePoint or other collaboration tools 4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working This vacancy is being offered as a part-time opportunity. You will be required to work 22.5 hours per week. You may be required to work occasional evenings and weekends. The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 4 of 7

5 5. About the unit/department Directorate Provides counsel to the OU s senior leadership, and advises OU staff at every level, including best practice, on communications. Ensures communications activities are delivered in line with the University s strategic plan, and that these effectively contribute towards promoting the OU s position as a world leader in flexible lifetime learning. Provides professional leadership for the OU on communications. Corporate & Change Communications Corporate Communications Guides, advises and enables pan-university communications, including: Effectively engaging staff with university strategy, institutional change and other initiatives; Supporting managers and their teams in delivering meaningful and effective communications; Staging of impactful and well-managed events; Managing the Business Planning process for the Communications Unit; Establishing and managing the framework for effective editorial planning; and Coordinating with the OU s academic community to deliver effective campaigns on Communicating Academic Excellence (CAE). Change Communications Leads on delivering fast, accurate responses to complex and sensitive pan-university issues. Coordinates closely with other teams to deliver effective communications and campaigns, through: developing accurate and compelling messaging; targeting and briefing key external stakeholders (not covered by GEA); and providing guidance, briefing and negotiating agreements with external stakeholders on local and national partnerships, including event sponsorship opportunities. Government & External Affairs (GEA) Engages governments and other key organisations and individuals to secure policy and funding objectives to support the OU s mission through: gathering intelligence, assessing and coordinating policy proposals across the OU; building relationships with decision-makers to increase influence and advocacy; and ensuring the four-nation status of the OU is promoted through close working with Nation Directors and their teams. Media Relations, Social Media Engagement & Digital Services Media Relations Drives the OU s news output and shapes the way the University is portrayed in the media. Manages the University s reputation through: planning and shaping the editorial agenda; identifying, sourcing and developing positive stories to promote the OU as a top university; evaluating and advising on opportunities and risks; and taking timely and appropriate action on behalf of the University; and nurturing relationships with key journalists and opinion-formers. The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 5 of 7

6 Social Media Engagement Provides Social Media Engagement that delivers proactive and responsive reputational management and adoption of social everywhere particularly in supporting Communicating Academic Excellence and Corporate Reputation. Dedicated to using creative solutions to support our students, engage our advocates in relevant/topical conversations and be the go to place for HE news and current debate in order to protect and enhance our reputation. Digital Services Provides Digital Services that provides a framework to manage and enhance the University s digital estate for the public web (excluding recruitment of students) and next generation intranet - enabling the delivery of the best possible experience for all audiences to visitors to (for example) News, Research, Faculties, Nations etc., and quality staff engagement through the intranet technologies we provide. How to obtain more information about the role or application process If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application or you have any questions regarding the application process please contact The Recruitment Co-ordinator by at comms-recuritment@open.ac.uk 7. The application process and where to send completed applications Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: your application to : Monday 2 October at 12 noon Comms-recruitment@open.ac.uk marking the reference number and the Job title in the subject field (see page 1 of this document) Or post to: Name/Job title: Department/Unit: Address: Post Code: The Recruitment Co-ordinator Communications, The Open University Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 7AA 8. Selection process and date of interview The interview panel will be chaired by: The other members of the interview panel will be: Roz Allison TBA The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 6 of 7

7 The interviews will take place on: The selection process for this post will include TBC Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a formal Interview and will be asked to give a short presentation and complete a desk based competency exercise We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. The Open University, Human Resources, HRG158 Page 7 of 7