Senior Communications Officer (Research)

We have a fantastic opportunity for a senior research communications officer to join the University of Reading’s Marketing Communication & Engagement function.

The University of Reading is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, committed to acting together, as a diverse and inclusive community, to deliver a better world through the transformational power of education and research. Holding a place in the top 30 of UK universities, the University operates in a highly competitive, global market, and it has never been so challenging to attract research income, students, academic and professional staff.

About the role
The Research Communications & Engagement team sits within the Marketing, Communication & Engagement function (MCE), which provides expert marketing, engagement and communication strategy, advice, and delivery. We work using a matrix management model to build the University’s reputation, brand and profile, and deliver robust, innovative and global communications activity to support research engagement, impact and funding targets.

We are recruiting an experienced senior research communications officer to join the Research Communications & Engagement team within MCE.

You will plan, develop and deliver communications projects to raise the University’s profile and reputation for research excellence nationally and internationally, through University-owned and external channels. You will develop activities and content that reflect the University’s research capacities, successes and impact. You will have oversight responsibility for the research section of the University website and research content across other sections of the site and University publications. And you will provide day-to-day professional advice to researchers to develop best practice approaches to communicating their research.

About you
You will be highly motivated, with enthusiasm and commitment to communicating about research. You will be experienced at project management with a track record of delivering excellent and innovative communications outputs and activities to reach diverse audiences. You will be accustomed to working independently in a fast-moving environment, and will be able to spot opportunities and respond to them quickly.

You will have outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with experience using the full mix of communications channels. You will be creative with proven experience of building profile, reputation and brand. You will be able to build and maintain strong networks of internal and external contacts, working across different academic disciplines and with people at all levels of seniority. You will be resourceful and committed to high standards, quality and integrity.

Informal contact details:                                                                     
Contact role: Head of Research Communications & Engagement       
Contact name: Caroline Knowles                                                         
Contact email: c.l.knowles@reading.ac.uk                                           

Alternative informal contact details:
Contact role: Business Partner for Research Communications & Engagement
Contact name: Donna Walton
Contact email: donna.walton@reading.ac.uk

Closing date: 1 May 2024
Interviews will be held: 20 May 2024

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route.  Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying.  There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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