Based in the University’s Reputation, Economic Development and Advocacy Directorate at York, the Communications team brings together specialists in digital communications, research comms and media relations, internal communications, and events and public engagement. Our mission is to be a University for Public Good, helping to build a strong University community who are informed, supported and connected.
This is an exciting time for the Communications team as we support the University’s ambition to be the University of Opportunity. Working in partnership with the Student Education and Experience team we are helping to improve student participation, progression and success, promoting equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups, as determined by the Office for Students.
We are seeking a new member of the team who will be equally committed to our mission and will specifically contribute to the successful implementation of our Access and Participation Plan, through improved communications and engagement with our student and staff community.
The Communications team ensures that our diverse community of 18,000+ students feel inspired to achieve their full potential, and informed and involved in university life, in order to enhance the overall student experience.
Working with colleagues across our student Access and Participation lifecycle areas, you will plan, write, design, edit and distribute content relating to access and participation interventions, engaging students and staff with the information they need to enable students to successfully access and participate in a York education. You will ensure a consistent approach and tone of voice is consistently applied.
You will create and communicate student and staff facing content that is both accurate and relevant, delivering successful communications based upon sound student insight, in line with the communications strategy set out by the Student Communications Manager. There will also be opportunities to work with students as paid interns and through student voice activities to ensure that communications are clear and accessible.
The post holder will develop a detailed understanding of our diverse body of students, and will therefore build a close working relationship with delivery teams across the University’s Access & Participation Plan (APP). Based in the University’s Communication team, you will also work closely with APP governance and evaluation leads.
Key responsibilities
(Role holders will be required to undertake some or all of the duties below)
- Role Specific Responsibilities
- Provide a responsive and accurate communications service to Access and Participation Teams and ensure that important messages are developed and communicated to students and staff within clearly defined timescales.
- Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the student's communication needs. Ensure that consideration is given to the diversity of our student audience at all times.
- Take responsibility for developing and delivering key student communications activities across a number of channels that are targeted, timely, relevant, accurate and engaging. Digital and print channels include but are not limited to; print, web content, MyUoY app, social media, customer relationship management system (CRM), newsletters and other digital channels.
- Work closely with the Student Communications Manager to develop communications solutions as identified in the student communications strategy and action plans, ensuring scheduling balances communication priorities without overload of messages.
- Work with students as paid interns and through student voice activities to ensure that communications are clear and accessible.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of student communications and horizon-scan and use insights to identify and respond to or escalate sensitive issues, making recommendations about proactive or reactive communications to support a University response.
- Create and manage content on APP related web pages and provide support, guidance and training for internal APP stakeholders in relation to writing for the web and use of Web CMS.
- Create and manage content for social media channels and support and coordinate staff and students in leadership roles to deliver the most effective communication content.
Interview date: To be confirmed
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact: Deb Ward, Head of Internal Communications at [email protected]
The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.
We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.
We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork
As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.
