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.
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. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.
The Role and the Department
Durham University Business School, one of the longest established business schools in the UK, is a multi-disciplinary School characterised by academic excellence, internationally-rated research, and superb student support services. The School's diversity and international standing is reflected in the student intake (with over 110 nationalities); accreditation by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS; and high positions in the UK and European Business School rankings. Further information on the School can be found at http://www.dur.ac.uk/business/.
The Business School hosts the editorial office of the Journal of Management Studies (JMS). JMS, which is governed by the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies (SAMS), is a leading international academic journal. It has one of the highest impact factors in management and business studies and is listed in the Financial Times’ top 50 journals.
The JMS editorial office is responsible for the publication of the Journal of Management Studies and handles nearly 3,000 submissions per year. In addition, the office organises events and workshops worldwide and promotes the Journal’s activities and published papers on social media. It also provides administrative support to the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies.
The postholder will work as an integral part of the Editorial Office Team and will play a key role in maintaining and developing the SAMS and JMS brand, online presence, and engagement. They will work with authors, editors, and the Managing Editor to promote SAMS and JMS online through published papers, blogs, events, awards, and other activities. They will also support the creation of marketing materials, such as videos, flyers, calls for events and ensure brand consistency throughout. The postholder will contribute to the professional and efficient administrative and promotional service for the Journal of Management Studies and its governing organisation, SAMS.
The base location for this role is the Waterside Building in the centre of Durham; hybrid working is in operation with a minimum of 50% of time spent in the office.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and 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. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality/
Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line services or having relevant qualifications for the role.
Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
Experience of using social media in a professional context.
Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, and common marketing-related packages such as Canva, Sprout Social, and Wordpress.
Committed to continuing professional development.
Ability to solve problems as part of a team and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
Ability to contribute to operational planning activities.
Desirable Criteria
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery
Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible for, e.g. social media engagement.
Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such and make recommendations based on your findings.
Compile, record, store and archive data and information to ensure the accuracy and safety of information.
Organise and analyse data and information to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to the Managing Editor, JMS editors, or SAMS trustees on patterns and trends.
Apply standard professional and recognised regulatory procedures to processes, e.g. data protection, editorial ethical guidelines.
Ensure that JMS and SAMS’ online presence is maintained and updated in line with the needs of the journal and organisation.
Monitor JMS published articles to identify matches with areas of topical interest or current affairs for impactful promotion where appropriate.
Monitor feedback on the services provided and identify changes that will improve the service level and compliance.
Undertake occasional national and international travel.
Work occasional weekends and evenings.
Planning and Organising
Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role.
Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events e.g. production of video content, graphic design, etc. including liaison with JMS Editors, SAMS trustees, and external stakeholders where appropriate, in accordance with agreed objectives.
Contribute to organising, planning, and preparing for in-person and online events and contribute to team planning activities.
Monitor processes and activities to ensure role priorities are met.
Seek feedback from stakeholders on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.
Communication/Liaison
Provide specialist support, advice, and instruction to internal and external team members on social media use and marketing material production, ensuring brand consistency.
Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
Liaise with other service areas, professional organisations, and agencies to ensure the most diverse and accessible delivery and promotion of events and initiatives.
Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
Act as a key point of contact between SAMS and JMS and internal and external stakeholders with regard to promotional activities, social media engagement, and other similar activities.
Build relationships with JMS Editors, Wiley publishers, third-party suppliers, and anyone else you interact with as part of your role to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.
Any other reasonable duties.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
- A CV
- A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
Contact details:
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Margaret Turner (Managing Editor) would be happy to speak to you. Please contact her at
[email protected].
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
