Communications Assistant

York St John University; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Disability leave

Employee assistance

Relocation support

Visa support

Job summary

York St John University in York is seeking a Communications Assistant to join the central Communications team within the MSRA Directorate. You will coordinate content and support delivery of communications to staff and students across email, intranet, website, social media and student app.

The role provides opportunities to create engaging, accessible content, work with multiple teams, and help ensure brand guidelines and tone of voice are applied consistently.

Qualifications

• Experience of shaping clear messages and writing for diverse audiences.
• Digital skills to deploy communications across multiple platforms.
• The ability to work with other teams by building and maintaining positive working relationships.
• A creative and inclusive approach to coordinating and delivering communications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate content and support delivery of communications to staff and students across staff channels (email, intranet, website, social media, and student app).
• Create targeted, engaging and accessible content to ensure staff and students feel heard, supported and informed.
• Support colleagues to use the University’s brand guidelines and tone of voice to maintain consistency.

Job description

Department: Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions

Location: York

Salary: £28,778 to £30,378per annum

Closing Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026 at midnight

Interview Date: Tuesday 03 November 2026

Reference: 136-26

Location: York

Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £28,778 to £30,378 per annum

Introduction to YSJ university

Situated in the heart of the historic city of York, and with the addition of our London Campus, York St John University has a long and proud tradition as a distinguished higher education provider. Our success is founded on the quality of academic teaching and research, our thriving campus environments, our professional and pastoral support, and our values of an inclusive, innovative and ambitious community with a strong sense of belonging.

Communications Assistant

We're looking for a Communications Assistant to join the central Communications team at York St John University. You’ll need good writing skills, experience of using digital systems and a commitment to clear and inclusive communications. You’ll be supported to develop your communications skills and expertise as part of a busy, purposeful team. We look forward to welcoming the right candidate as we strive to deliver an excellent communications service to our internal and external stakeholders.

The Team

The Communications team is part of the Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions (MSRA) Directorate. Teams within the Directorate are responsible for attracting applicants to the University, communicating with current students and alumni, and delivering events.

The role

This role, reporting to the Head of Communications and Media Relations, is responsible for coordinating content and supporting delivery of communications to staff and students across YSJ channels, including email, intranet, website, social media and student app. It includes responsibility for supporting key projects, events and campaigns and collaborating with other teams to source and share information. In addition to providing administrative support, you’ll help create targeted, engaging and accessible content to ensure staff and students feel heard, supported and informed.

The post-holder will support colleagues to use the University’s brand guidelines, clear and compassionate approach to communications, and tone of voice.

Required skills and experience

• experience of shaping clear messages and writing for diverse audiences
• digital skills to deploy communications across multiple platforms
• the ability to work with other teams by building and maintaining positive working relationships
• a creative and inclusive approach to coordinating and delivering communications

The selection process will include an interview and short task. Further details will be provided if you are shortlisted for interview.

Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.

This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we encourage you to please apply as early as possible as we may consider closing earlier if we receive a high level of applications. If the vacancy is closed earlier, all pending applicants will be notified and provided with 24 hours' notice to submit an application.

Application process support

We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate application form guidance below which provides advice about completing the application process.

If you require a reasonable adjustment in order to apply for this position please contact [e-mail]. Within the application form there is an opportunity for you to request a reasonable adjustment at the interview stage of the process, however if you wish to discuss this in further detail at any point in the process please do not hesitate to contact us. The following resource may help you adapt the device you are using to apply to suit your needs My Computer My Way (abilitynet.org.uk)

Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can be helpful in shaping your responses, but we encourage you to share your answers in your own words.

Our benefits package

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -

- Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period

- Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists

- On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software

- Relocation expenses package for certain roles

- Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and Visa loan scheme for additional costs (if applicable to the role)

Further information about life at YSJ

Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.

Closing Date - Tuesday 13 October 2026 at midnight

Provisional Interview Date - Tuesday 03 November 2026