Project Communications Officer (Phoenix Programme)

FTE: 0.53 FTE (20 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term until September 2028

Salary: UH6 £33,002 to £38,784 pa pro rata by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield 

We’re looking for a proactive and skilled Project Communications Officer to support the delivery of communications and engagement activity for Phoenix – our multi-year transformation programme to introduce a new student records system and improved processes for staff and students. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys creating clear, engaging content, translating complex information into accessible messaging, and helping colleagues navigate change. 

Main duties and responsibilities

As Project Communications Officer, you’ll play a key role in helping to deliver Phoenix – our major transformation programme introducing a new student records system and improved processes for staff and students. You’ll create clear, engaging content for a range of audiences and channels, from intranet stories and email newsletters to presentations and workshops. With a talent for turning complex or technical information into messages people understand and act on, you’ll coordinate communications and engagement activities that bring the project to life. You’ll also monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your communications, using insights to improve what we do, and ensure everything you produce reflects the University’s brand, tone of voice and staff communications strategy. Working closely with colleagues across the University, you’ll help build awareness, engagement and confidence in new systems and ways of working as the Phoenix programme progresses. 

Skills and experience required

We’re looking for someone who’s confident, creative and collaborative, with experience of delivering communications and engagement activities – ideally within a large project or change environment. You’ll be an excellent writer and communicator, able to turn complex information into clear, engaging messages that resonate with different audiences. Strong organisational skills are essential, as you’ll be managing competing priorities and coordinating multiple activities at once. You’ll also be comfortable using a variety of digital tools and channels to share information, connect with stakeholders and evaluate the impact of your work. Experience in higher education isn’t essential, but an understanding of how large organisations work – and how to engage colleagues through periods of change – will be a real advantage.

Qualifications required

We’d like you to have minimum of a related degree or professional qualification, but if you haven’t, talk to us about your proven relevant experience instead.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal. 

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Klara Foster (Staff Engagement Communications Manager), k.foster4@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 11 November 2025

Interview Date: 26 & 27 November 2025

Advert information