International Communications Specialist

School: Centre for Knowledge and Information

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended

ABOUT XJTLU

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

RESPONSIBILITIES：

Key responsibilities:

• Write and edit media releases for international media;
• Maintain and build XJTLU’s international media contacts, including handling media enquiries, and capture media contact information in a database shared with other Communications team writers
• Help to develop communication strategies to increase earned media coverage for XJTLU in influential international and English-language Chinese media platforms;
• Organise and participate in media relationship maintenance activities, including one-to-one meetings with international journalists and group media events;
• Discuss, plan and implement annual media promotion packages for the University that are both effective and on budget;
• Invite and host international media covering key University events, including the coordination of schedules, briefings and other logistical requirements as required;
• Write and edit a variety of other materials used in marketing and communications, such as social media posts, student recruitment campaigns, web page content, website news stories and articles, newsletters, event promotion, University background information, video scripts, speeches and reports, and other items;
• Help plan and coordinate content for complex editorial projects targeting international and Chinese audiences such as magazines or annual reports as assigned;
• Edit original English material developed by other departments or translated from Chinese for use on the XJTLU website, in media releases, or other publications while ensuring accuracy, coherent messaging and a consistent voice and style;
• Plan and organise international PR events or campaigns;
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCES

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in journalism, communications, public relations or related fields;
• Excellent writing skills; native competence in English; written fluency in additional languages is a plus;
• Ideally more than three years of experience in a communications management position in a corporate or institutional setting is essential; ideally minimum of three years of directly relevant experience in a university environment and in-depth knowledge of higher education is preferred;
• Experience in managing media relations in higher education is preferred;
• Experience working with creative teams to develop complex projects such as news, stories, feature reports, collateral materials, web and digital content, and advertising;
• Cross-cultural communication skills and experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Flexibility to work some nights and weekends is essential.

Required Competencies and Skills:

• High productivity with excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects and effectively manage competing priorities and tight deadlines;
• Well-developed interpersonal, negotiation and communications abilities;
• Skills with building and maintaining professional relationships, both within the University and externally, with international journalists in particular;
• The ability to speak publicly, to interact with different internal and external clients, and to represent the University Marketing and Communications office with a high level of professionalism;
• The ability to work autonomously and effectively on multiple projects;
• Creativity and flexibility with the ability to develop new approaches to advance goals and objectives;
• A tactful and enthusiastic “can-do” attitude; ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment under public scrutiny;
• Ability to work with a diverse range of people across various levels of the University to achieve a common goal while maintaining the ability to think independently.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1. Clear career development path with annual review.
2. Professional development trainings are provided.

COPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS

• Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)

• Paid holidays:
  • Statutory Holidays
  • Annual Leave (29 days)
  • Family Matters Lave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Marriage Lave
  • Paternity Leave
  • Parental leave

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website (via the 'Apply' button above). Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three References

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email Jingying.Liu@xjtlu.edu.cn.

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