College Digital Marketing & Communications Manager

Job Purpose

The post holder will report to the College Marketing and Communications Manager and will work closely with the wider Marketing and Communications team in the College of Social Sciences. The post holder will be responsible for the line management of four Web Coordinators, and will be expected to build and manage relationships with a wide cross-section of staff in the College and across External Relations and the wider University, working with academic and other Professional Services staff. These staff with whom you build relationships will have varying degrees of responsibility currently in preparing and publishing web content, and so the ability to translate complex information into suitable terms for your audience is a must.

The person in this role will manage online marketing and communications activities within the College of Social Sciences, primarily but not limited to the website. Combining technical know-how with an understanding of the content required for the College’s multiple audiences, the post holder will ensure the websites they and their team are responsible for are a quality, relevant and up-to-date communications channel. They will take overall responsibility for ensuring that content across all of these websites is well-written, and that digital content is utilised effectively to meet the aims and objectives outlined in the team’s strategy, and those strategies of the wider College and University.

The post holder will develop and action a strategy for ensuring that the College’s external facing websites and Intranet websites are accurate and up-to-date as far as possible at all times. The post holder will also develop a training programme for any staff who have some responsibility for web content (including academic staff) to enable them to write, edit and update their own content in accordance with the University’s web content guidelines. The post holder will also be responsible for developing new websites, pages and digital content as directed and as appropriate. Other responsibilities will include management of the College’s Intranet sites, as well as involvement in University-wide projects where deemed appropriate by the line manager.

Person Specification

• Good degree level education or equivalent work experience
• Substantial experience of working in a digital marketing, web and communications environment
• Proven and effective line management experience
• Demonstrable understanding of the complexities and competing factors related to higher education
• Successful management and delivery of projects to time and quality criteria, with multiple stakeholders involved
• Computer literate with an expert understanding of web content including structure and navigation
• Significant experience of using web content management systems to an advanced level
• Substantial experience in online communications and excellent written communication skills, with experience in writing and editing corporate websites for large organisations, preferably in higher education
• Good knowledge of standards-compliancy, writing for W3C accessibility and usability issues
• Excellent knowledge of legal web-related issues including accessibility, copyright, data protection and freedom of information
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of web standards/languages (HTML, Javascript, CSS), Adobe Photoshop and relevant web development software
• Confident and competent in the use of database systems and electronic communication
• Experience of explaining and translating complex information, new developments and techniques to a diverse range of staff
• Ability, interest and enthusiasm for gaining the necessary understanding and appreciation of the research and teaching activities of the College
• Strong understanding of the wider higher education context, student recruitment trends and research landscape
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to demonstrate a customer-centric approach to your work, and an appropriate manner in dealing with University senior managers, academic staff, Professional Services staff, students and visitors
• Demonstrable analytical and project management skills
• Ability to influence people in senior positions
• A creative and innovative approach to problem solving
• Demonstrable ability to work under pressure to the highest standards at all times
• Demonstrable ability to work with a very wide range of internal colleagues and external client groups as well as part of a team
• Strong administrative and organisation skills – the ability to prioritise, exercise good time management and use organisational skills to meet deadlines
• Experience and understanding of digital marketing and communications
• Experience of working with digital media and online video is desirable but not essential
• Experience of working in a busy team and on own initiative
• Flexibility to work out of hours as required (including occasional evening and weekend work) and a willingness to travel if ever necessary