External Relations Officer

Birmingham City University is a vibrant, forward-thinking institution with a strong focus on creativity, innovation and real-world impact. As External Relations Officer, you will need to be a versatile content creator with strong storytelling skills who can create engaging content across a range of channels. We’re looking for a media-savvy self-starter with creative flair, who thrives both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

The External Relations Officer will help shape and share the story of a modern, ambitious university, working within a creative and collaborative team to raise Birmingham City University’s profile and impact. Partnering with academics, researchers and senior leaders, the role will spotlight innovative teaching, research, partnerships and civic activity. This will be delivered through bold, high-quality content, media engagement and events that support student recruitment and attract investment. With a strong focus on collaboration, the successful candidate will promote BCU’s extensive local, national and international partnerships, ensuring external communications are dynamic, strategic and aligned with the University’s growth and reputation goals.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Through effective external relations and media activity, the External Relations Officer will:

• Deliver external communications that enhance the University’s reputation and support student recruitment, investment and partnerships.
• Identify and develop compelling stories, producing high-quality content across media, digital and social channels.
• Work closely with academics, researchers and senior leaders to promote teaching, research, innovation and civic impact.
• Manage media enquiries, support out-of-hours cover and contribute to crisis communications as required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regional, national and international media.
• Support the delivery of events and campaigns that showcase the University and its collaborations.
• Collaborate across Marketing, Recruitment and Communications to ensure a joined-up, creative approach.
• Monitor and evaluate activity to improve effectiveness and impact.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in media relations, communications, public affairs or events, and a strong track record of producing high-quality content for external audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to spot strong stories, simplify complex information and tailor content for media, digital and social channels, including social media content creation.
• A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to manage competing priorities, work calmly under pressure and build effective relationships with senior stakeholders.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• A relevant professional qualification (e.g. CIPR, CIM) and/or evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Experience working in higher education, public service or a similarly complex, knowledge-based environment.

Why not take a look on the interactive map that shows the facilities across campus.

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential. 

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