Job Details:
Full-Time: 40 hours per week
Location: Birmingham, UK (Hybrid/On-site)
Reports to: Managing Director
Salary: Dependent on experience
About Al-Mahdi Institute
Al-Mahdi Institute (AMI) is a leading centre for Islamic scholarship and higher learning that brings together traditional seminary education and contemporary academic research. Through our educational programmes, publications, conferences, research centres, and media initiatives, we seek to cultivate rigorous, accessible, and engaged Muslim scholarship.
As AMI continues to grow its educational, research, and public engagement activities, we are seeking an experienced Content, Media & Communications Manager to lead and coordinate the Institute's digital communications and content strategy.
Role Overview
The Content, Media & Communications Manager will be responsible for ensuring that AMI's research, educational programmes, publications, conferences, podcasts, and institutional activities are transformed into high-quality content and effectively distributed across all communication channels.
This is a strategic and operational role. The successful candidate will oversee content planning, manage AMI's digital platforms, coordinate media production, and lead relationships with external suppliers including SEO consultants, advertising agencies, designers, videographers, editors, and web developers.
The role requires an individual who can think strategically, write effectively, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and build systems that maximise the reach and impact of AMI's work.
Key Responsibilities
A. Content Strategy & Editorial Planning
- Develop and implement AMI's annual and quarterly content strategy.
- Maintain an institutional content calendar aligned with academic programmes, conferences, publications, podcasts, research outputs, and major events.
- Identify opportunities to transform AMI activities into engaging public-facing content.
- Work closely with academic staff to develop content plans for educational programmes, publications, conferences, and institutional initiatives.
- Ensure content aligns with AMI's strategic priorities, recruitment goals, and public engagement objectives.
- Track content performance and recommend improvements based on analytics and audience insights.
B. Content Development & Communications
Produce, edit, and oversee high-quality content across multiple formats including:
◦ Website articles
◦ News stories
◦ Research summaries
◦ Email newsletters
◦ Podcast descriptions
◦ Social media content
◦ Promotional campaigns
◦ Institutional reports
- Translate complex academic material into accessible content for diverse audiences.
- Ensure consistency of tone, messaging, and brand identity across all channels.
- Develop communication campaigns to support educational programmes, publications, conferences, and institutional initiatives.
C. Podcast & Media Production
- Oversee the content lifecycle of the Thinking Islam podcast and other media initiatives.
- Coordinate recording schedules, production workflows, publication timelines, and content promotion.
- Identify opportunities to repurpose long-form content into short-form videos, articles, graphics, and social media content.
- Manage podcast publishing, metadata, descriptions, thumbnails, and audience growth initiatives.
- Coordinate photographers, videographers, editors, and media freelancers as required.
D. Website & Digital Platforms
- Manage and maintain AMI's websites and digital platforms.
- Ensure content remains accurate, up-to-date, and user-friendly.
- Coordinate with web developers regarding updates and improvements.
- Implement content and SEO best practices across digital platforms.
- Monitor website performance and user engagement metrics.
E. Social Media & Audience Growth
Oversee AMI's presence across:
◦ LinkedIn
◦ Facebook
◦ Instagram
◦ X
◦ YouTube
◦ TikTok
◦ Podcast platforms
- Develop campaigns that increase engagement, visibility, and audience growth.
- Monitor analytics and platform performance.
- Identify emerging opportunities across digital platforms and communication channels.
F. Student Recruitment & Institutional Promotion
- Support recruitment initiatives across AMI's educational programmes.
- Develop content campaigns that generate awareness and enquiries.
- Work closely with programme leads to promote courses, events, and educational opportunities.
- Monitor conversion pathways and recommend improvements.
G. Vendor & Agency Management
Identify, evaluate, and appoint external suppliers including:
◦ SEO consultants
◦ Advertising agencies
◦ Graphic designers
◦ Video editors
◦ Photographers and videographers
◦ Web developers
◦ Media consultants
- Obtain quotations and proposals from suppliers and make recommendations to senior management.
- Develop clear briefs, timelines, budgets, and KPIs for outsourced projects.
- Manage supplier relationships and ensure quality delivery.
- Review outsourced work and ensure alignment with AMI's standards and objectives.
- Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and recommend improvements where necessary.
H. Analytics & Reporting
Produce monthly and quarterly reports on:
◦ Website performance
◦ Social media growth
◦ Podcast performance
◦ Email engagement
◦ Recruitment campaigns
◦ Content effectiveness
- Use data to inform strategic decisions and future content planning.
Person Specification (Essential)
Experience
- Minimum three years' experience in content, communications, digital marketing, media management, or a related field.
- Experience managing multiple communication channels and content projects.
- Experience managing freelancers, agencies, or external suppliers.
- Experience developing and implementing content strategies.
- Experience working within higher education, research, publishing, charity, or mission-driven organisations.
Skills
- Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible and engaging content.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Experience using content management systems such as WordPress.
- Familiarity with social media management and analytics tools.
- Understanding of SEO principles and digital communications best practices.
- Proficiency in AI-assisted content workflows and productivity tools.
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised and proactive.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.
- Commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.
Person Specification (Desirable)
- Familiarity with Islamic studies, Muslim community organisations, or higher education institutions.
- Experience managing podcasts or digital media projects.
- Experience with email marketing platforms.
- Basic graphic design skills.
- Basic video editing skills.
- Photography or videography experience.
- Knowledge of Arabic, Urdu, or Persian.
- Experience managing paid advertising campaigns or advertising agencies.
Why Join AMI?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the communications strategy of one of the leading centres of Islamic scholarship in the English-speaking world. The successful candidate will work directly with academics, researchers, and institutional leadership to ensure that AMI's ideas, programmes, publications, and initiatives reach and engage audiences globally.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit all of the following. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- CV — setting out your employment history, qualifications, and relevant experience.
- Cover Letter — outlining your suitability for the role, your experience in content, media, and communications, and your motivation for joining AMI.
- Portfolio — demonstrating a range of your content work, including examples across written, digital, and/or social media formats.
All three documents are required. Applications that do not include a CV, Cover Letter, and Portfolio will not be progressed.
Pay: £38,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site gym
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Birmingham B29 6RB
