UCL - COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 11,000 staff and 38,000 students from 150 different countries.

Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL was the first university in England to welcome students of any class, religion, and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men.

Post Title: Division:

Communications Officer

UCL Estates

Section:

UCL Accommodation Communications Manager

Reporting To:

Grade:

6

UCL is one of the world’s top universities with an annual turnover exceeding £1 billion. Based in the heart of London, it is a modern, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today. UCL’s excellence extends across all academic disciplines; from one of Europe’s largest and most productive hubs for biomedical science interacting with several leading London hospitals, to world-renowned centers for architecture (UCL Bartlett) and fine art (UCL Slade School).

THE UCL COMMUNITY

UCL’s staff and former students have included 29 Nobel prizewinners. It is a truly international community: more than one-third of our student body – more than 35,000 strong – come from 150 countries and nearly one-third of staff are from outside the UK. UCL offers postgraduate research opportunities in all of its subjects, and provides more than 200 undergraduate programmes and more than 400 taught postgraduate programmes. Approximately 54% of the student community is engaged in graduate studies, with about 29% of these graduate students pursuing research degrees.

UCL Estates

UCL Estates manages the estate and facilities infrastructure from the strategic to the operational, across property acquisition and management, capital projects, engineering and maintenance, environmental sustainability, safety, security, cleaning and including student residences and central room bookings. UCL manages 4,074 student rooms across 21 residences, three which provide catered accommodation, with a further 2,000 rooms held under nomination agreements.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose

The UCL Accommodation team is seeking to recruit a dynamic and creative individual to join our award winning communications team. The post holder will support the Communications Manager in implementing the department’s Communications Strategy, as well as contribute to the development, implementation, management and evaluation of student communication and engagement activities and initiatives.

This is a diverse role suitable for a self- starter, who can identify key audiences, and is able to design and/or utilize the most appropriate channels for communication with a wide range of stakeholders.

The post holder must be someone eager to learn, develop, and keen to make an impact on the life of students residing with UCL. UCL is a globally recognised Institution and one of the UK’s most successful Universities. The Accommodation team sits within the UCL Estates division, and comprises of over 20 Halls that houses more than 6500 residents. UCL Accommodation has set out an ambitious new vision of becoming the leading provider of accommodation in the HE sector; delivering an exceptional student experience and is embarking on new strategy to deliver this vision. Student engagement is at the very heart of this strategy.

PURPOSE

Essential Outputs 1. Support the Communications Manager with student and staff communication activities and campaigns and also in implementing the UCL Accommodation communication strategy in line with the new UCL Accommodation brand standards. 2. Create, review and update appropriate accommodation content across all UCL Accommodation communications channels including digital channels. 3. Research, collate, analyse and edit information and statistics and provide excellent administrative/office support, and projects support for the communications team. 4. Assist with the design, development, coordination and delivery of a range of new student and staff communication initiatives including campaigns and events. 5. Using all forms of media and communication, the successful candidate will work to set objectives and targets from the Communications Manager. Communications 1. Assist in producing, delivering and evaluating the Department’s communication strategies and platforms and to deliver this in line with the overall strategy of the Department and the wider communication initiatives of UCL. 2. Produce and sometimes lead in the production of new and engaging content for communication purposes. 3. Preparing press releases and news items and liaising with UCL Media Relations team. 4. Proof reading correspondence, documents, and other textual outputs. 5. Providing support for specific research and communication projects within the department including researching information, preparing papers and producing PowerPoint presentations. 6. Assist the Communications Manager with regular reporting to internal stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Online communications 1. Update and maintain the department’s website. This will include writing, editing and uploading content, and selecting and sizing images and multimedia. 2. Update and monitor the department’s social media channels including the planning and creation of engaging content, proofreading, supporting in answering queries and reporting on analytics. 3. Monitor, collate and distribute web and social media statistics in an accessible manner. This will involve translating and presenting web statistics for non-communications professionals. Publications 1. Proofread and format reports, documents, working papers, blog and other publications, as well as write accompanying content such as news, case studies and web content for a variety of audiences. 2. Liaise with designers and printers to produce booklets, leaflets and other marketing materials for a variety of audiences. Brand identity 1. Ensure correct application of the brand through visual and language based systems. Marketing 1. Lead and/or assist in the production and dissemination of publicity, publications, prospectuses and other digital and paper-based promotional materials. Event co-ordination 1. Co-ordinate department and student events, including Open Days and student engagement events. This will include managing invitations and registration; event logistics; event marketing; liaising with students, other internal departments, visitors and suppliers; and evaluation and reporting. Reporting and administration 1. Assist the Communications Manager with regular reporting to internal stakeholders as part of the ongoing evaluation of communication activities. 2. Maintain the departments’ distribution and subscriber list. This will include working with the Communications Manager to analyse and grow distribution/subscriber lists to ensure the department is reaching its target audiences. 3. Organising and taking minutes of internal communications and staff meetings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties 1. The post holder will contribute to departmental, faculty and UCL-wide working groups or committees as requested. 2. The post holder will maintain own continuing professional development. 3. The post holder will familiarise themselves and actively follow UCL’s policy on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 4. The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager or Director of the Department. The post holder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities policies and be expected to give consideration within their role as to how they can actively advance equality of opportunity and good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it. The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person appointed will have the skills, abilities, personal attributes and experience listed below. In your application, you should demonstrate how you meet the person specification, using examples. ( E - Essential, D - Desirable).

E

D

Knowledge, Education, Qualifications and Training

Education to A level standard (Grade C or above) or having acquired relevant experience in terms of writing and analysis.

X

Undergraduate qualification in a communications or marketing discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

X

Postgraduate qualification in a communications or marketing discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

X

Up-to-date knowledge of social media channels and developments.

X

Working knowledge of Content Management Systems.

X

Skills and/or Abilities

Computer literacy, including competency in word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word) and familiarity with the rest of the Microsoft suite of software (especially Excel and Outlook) as well as diary management software and Google Analytics.

X

Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicated and tailor content effectively to different formats and audiences.

X

Excellent editing skills.

X

Strong organisational skills, time management and project management skills, including the ability to work effectively on numerous group and individual projects simultaneously.

X

Strong diplomacy skills - personal sensitivity and tact to deal with complex and diverse student related internal and external issues.

X

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The ability to understand and interpret complex projects, and to communicate key messages to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

X

Ability to forge good relationships with external contacts.

X

Graphic Design skills and familiarity with design software packages.

X

Experience

Proven experience of working both independently and as a proactive member of a team.

X

Experience of working with different communications channels including websites, e-newsletters etc.

X

Experience of using social media to promote an organisation, project or campaign.

X

Experience of project management and managing their execution with senior support.

X

Experience of writing copy for different audiences.

X

Experience of creating and managing news and media content.

X

Experience of managing and liaising with external designers and printers.

X

Experience of working within a HE or accommodation environment.

X

Personal Characteristics and Other requirements

Knowledge of, and interest in, the area of student engagement and accommodation.

X

Due to the nature of the role the post holder will be expected to work at evening and weekend events occasionally.

X

FURTHER INFORMATION

Salary level The salary range for this post is £28,574 to £36,291 (inclusive of London weighting). Employee Benefits UCL is a dynamic, global university based in one of the most exciting capital cities in the world. Not only does working at UCL offer the opportunity to work with game changers in your field, it also provides competitive terms, conditions and benefits. UCL benefits and policies apply equally whatever the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of employees. Benefits and policies relating to employees partners, includes both different sex and same sex partners. In addition to 41 days leave (inclusive of public holidays and closure days) and generous pension schemes, UCL provides a number of other staff benefits outlined below. • Excellent provision for professional development • The UCL Cycle scheme • The UCL Eye Care scheme • Voluntary Healthcare schemes • Subsidised access to a range of health and fitness facilities

• The offer of an interest-free season ticket loan • Various family friendly benefits and support https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/pay-benefits/staff-benefits Work location

The permanent base for each of the posts is at Bidborough House, in UCL Estates’ recently refurbished, modern, open-plan offices. Given the scale and nature of the UCL Estates post holders will be expected to work across the UCL portfolio as the needs of the role dictate.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post which should be sent to; Danielle Davies danielle.davies@mrgpeople.co.uk 020 8892 0115 | 07940 024 656 For a confidential and informal discussion please contact Danielle Davies of The Management Recruitment Group.

Regal House 70 London Road Twickenham TW1 3QS Tel 020 8892 0115

52-54 Gracechurch Street London EC3V 0EH Tel 020 3962 9900

111 Piccadilly Manchester M1 2HY Tel 0161 638 0936

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