Head of Communications & Engagement

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department
Head of Communications and Engagement

This senior level, strategic communications role is suited to professionals with significant leadership experience in large, high profile and complex institutions and used to working across large and varied portfolios, often at pace. You will guide, advise and develop strategies and plans focused on building and managing the University’s reputation internationally, nationally and regionally with key audiences and stakeholders.

The role is based within the Global Division\: Advancement (Marketing and Communications, Development and Alumni Relations (DARO)). Collectively, the teams enhance and support the University’s reputation, student recruitment and revenue generation, and enable effective engagement with students, staff and stakeholders to advance the University’s mission and objectives.

This role reports to and deputises for the Director of Communications and Engagement, will line manage the external / internal communications teams and will also work closely with the Head of Corporate Marketing. While it is based within the communications team you will work across the three Advancement teams (Communications, Marketing and Development and Alumni Relations) to guide, advise on and deliver integrated strategic communications activity working across the PR mix, including digital and social media, media relations, events and internal / external stakeholder management.

You will chiefly be working with senior colleagues on a breadth of strategic activity but will also make a significant contribution to leadership and development of the communications team and a pan-University strategic communications community of practice.

A proactive and innovative approach is essential. You will provide professional communications advice and guidance and will identify and propose strategic communications solutions to opportunities and challenges. You will have high professional standards, excellent communications, influencing and leadership skills. You will be equally adept at strategy development as implementing tactical solutions, comfortable working at pace and with complexity.

You will have a breadth of national and international media contacts and will have extensive experience of front-line media relations, advising on media strategy and leading media teams. You will also be digital communications savvy, with extensive knowledge and experience of devising, delivering and supporting teams to deliver digital communications innovations and activity.

We would be particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have senior level strategic communications experience in large, complex organisations such as, but not limited to, Government departments and agencies.

As an essential part of the role, you will also provide significant support for the Director of Communications and the Head of Corporate Marketing in leading the Marketing and Communications team’s 24/7 out of hours function. This involves providing senior level strategic communications guidance and support at evenings and weekends to senior stakeholders and the on-call team for major incidents or matters of reputation.

This full-time role is based in Durham City (Palatine Centre). The University supports hybrid working arrangements with the expectation of two days minimum in the office per week but this could be more according to business need, for example where there are in-person meetings or events on campus. As this role requires depth and breadth of contextual knowledge of the University, including its staff, students and stakeholders, for the first 6-12 months it is expected that you will spend more days working in person in Durham. You will be required to work occasionally from the University’s administrative base in Boldon House, Pity Me as appropriate and to travel as per the requirements of the role e.g. to attend or deliver strategic / sector events or meet with key stakeholders.

A short summary of the role is available here\: Role Summary

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many benefits you will receive if you join the University\:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

• We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff, you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train
companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.