Communications Officer - School of Social Policy and Society - 106806 - Grade 6

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Birmingham is seeking a Communications Officer to enhance the reputation of their IMPACT Centre. The role involves developing marketing communications plans, engaging with internal stakeholders while managing multiple projects across various communication channels. Candidates should possess degree-level education and experience in a marketing or communications environment. This full-time position offers a salary ranging from £33,002 to £35,608, with progression opportunities, and is fixed-term until December 2027.

Qualifications

• Good level of experience in a marketing or communications environment.
• Experience of devising and delivering multi-channel strategic communications plans.
• Flexible to work out of hours when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver marketing communications plans.
• Engage with internal stakeholders and form strong professional relationships.
• Encourage growth of media coverage of academic colleagues.

Skills

Experience in marketing or communications

Ability to engage with media

Strong organizational skills

Ability to use analytics

Social media proficiency

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent work experience

Tools

CMS and CRM software

Job description

Position Details

School of Social Policy and Society

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2027

Closing date: 4th January 2026

Role Summary

Working under the direction of IMPACT’s Communications Manager, this post is responsible for the development and implementation of communications for IMPACT to grow the reputation and profile of the centre, its areas of expertise and its work.

Experienced in both digital and offline activity, the post-holder will work closely with colleagues to deliver a flexible and innovative approach across the broad spectrum of communications. The post-holder will manage and implement multiple projects across research communications, public engagement, policy impact, events, and profile-raising.

The Communications Officer will work collaboratively with key staff to develop key strategic relationships with and for IMPACT. As part of IMPACT’s Communications Team, the post holder will also take a lead role in centre-wide initiatives, as required and as directed by the Communications Manager, and will also work closely with the wider team.

IMPACT [Improving Adult Care Together] is the UK centre for implementing evidence in adult social care. Working across the four nations and with co‑production at its heart, we draw on insights from research, lived experience, and practice knowledge to make a difference to front‑line services, and to people’s lives.

It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Health Foundation. Our Leadership Team is made up of 15 individuals, led by Professor Jon Glasby at the University of Birmingham. The Communications Team, is part of the Core Team which is also based at the University of Birmingham.

Main Duties

• Develop and deliver marketing communications plans that deliver against key objectives in relation to multiple stakeholders in line with IMPACT’s communications strategies, raising the profile of our work and impact both internally and externally.
• Develop communications plans for key priority work areas including delivery project outputs, case studies and promoting areas of expertise.
• Engage with internal stakeholders and form strong professional relationships across the marketing and communications community. Develop strong links with senior academic staff to gain an understanding of strategic priorities within the College. Effectively and proactively engage with academic and professional colleagues from across the Schools to seek out opportunities.
• Work with the Communications Manager and relevant senior stakeholders to identify and agree on key priorities throughout the academic year, whilst being able to respond to changing external situations and internal University priorities.
• Encourage engagement and growth of media coverage of academic colleagues in the College working closely with colleagues in External Relations.
• Encourage growth of IMPACT’s presence in commentary pieces and other associated PR activity through further engagement with academic staff (broadcast, print and digital media, including Birmingham Briefs, The Conversation, trade press, high‑quality journals, and University website).
• Develop and deliver training and development activities for staff enabling them to engage effectively with key stakeholders, including but not limited to the media, policy influencers, general public, and internal stakeholders.
• Liaise with appropriate colleagues to review, design, write and produce a range of online and offline collateral to represent IMPACT’s work and activity across a broad range of channels and to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Work with Communications team colleagues to continually improve website copy to reflect the IMPACT’s strengths, including working with colleagues to improve ‘writing for the web’ skills of the community, and rewriting and developing new digital content as appropriate.
• Liaise closely with colleagues from across IMPACT to develop and grow the internal profile of IMPACT ensuring all opportunities are explored and disseminated accordingly.
• Ensure that the reputation and brand of IMPACT is supported and adhered to at all times, working with University Communications, Creative Media and other colleagues as appropriate.
• Work with the Communications Manager to report against key metrics and KPIs to evaluate communications and events activity against targets.

Person Specification

• Degree‑level education or equivalent work experience
• Good level of experience of working in a marketing or communications environment
• Experience of devising and delivering multi‑channel strategic communications plans
• Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating events
• Experience of translating complex information into accessible communications and multiple channels
• Demonstrable understanding of the complexities and competing factors related to research environment and higher education
• A proven, high standard of communication and confidence of dealing with projects at all levels
• Well‑developed administrative and organisational skills with a proven ability to pay meticulous attention to detail
• Experience of using social media as part of a marketing or communications campaign
• Ability to use analytics and interpret data to inform your work
• Experience of using CMS and CRM software
• Ability to work with initiative and being able to prioritise work in a pressured environment and manage multiple workloads simultaneously
• Experience of administering budgets and using financial systems
• Flexibility to work out of hours as required (including occasional evening and weekend work) and a willingness to travel where necessary
• This role will require the exercise of personal initiative within and beyond the department and with external contacts.

Planning and organising

The role is required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium‑longer‑term horizons without daily supervision.

Problem solving and decision making

You will work with direction from your managers but you will have a significant degree of autonomy. You will deal with more complex queries and be expected to resolve any problems in your area of responsibility.

Internal and external relationships

You will liaise with internal colleagues and stakeholders University‑wide and also with external stakeholders.

Informal enquiries to Elizabeth Kennedy, email: [e-mail]

View our staff values and behaviours here

Use of AI in applications

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

Diversity and inclusion

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.