Next Steps South West Communications Team Leader

Are you a strong relationship-builder and team leader with an interest in Outreach/Widening Participation? Join the team as Communications Team Leader, responsible for managing NSSW communications!

Next Steps South West (NSSW) is recruiting for the unique opportunity to support our ongoing collaborative work and also to look for opportunities to engage with a wider stakeholder network, securing added value from new relationships, and pioneering collaborative approaches?

About the role:

NSSW is part of the national Uni Connect programme, funded by the Office for Students (OfS). The programme aims to increase progression into higher education (HE) for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. NSSW is the regional partnership for Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, and works in collaboration with local higher education providers and external organisations to support this aim. Through engagement with potential students and their influencers, NSSW delivers an outreach programme to improve awareness of HE options and support well-informed decision-making.

The Comms team is responsible for the promotion of NSSW events through web, social media, printed material and newsletters. External communications are with partners and stakeholders.

This is a full time, fixed term contract, working 37 hours per week until 31^st August 2027 due to funding.

For more information on Student Recruitment and Creative Services please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools

What we’re looking for:

• Previous experience in a marketing/PR/communications environment.
• The management of people is also key to this role, both internally and externally.
• You will be able to lead and operate effectively in times of change and ambiguity, bringing creative ideas and collaborative solutions in response to stakeholder input.
• You will bring knowledge of the local educational environment and an understanding of educational disadvantage.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

Due to the nature of this role, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus a Children’s Barred List and Adults Barred List check will be required.

For this role, you will need to be on site 2 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.

About us:

You will be part of the NSSW hub team, based at the University of Plymouth, and also the wider NSSW team with members of staff at partner locations throughout the three counties. You will play a key role in promoting team spirit and conhesion across the full team.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Charlotte True: by email at charlotte.true@plymouth.ac.uk by telephone on 07774692419

Application Process:

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Our Offer:

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.

Closing date:  Sunday 27^th September 2026 - 12 o’clock midnight

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