Copywriter (Brand and Content) Ref: 60009

University of Sussex; Brighton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Sussex is seeking an in-house Copywriter to develop campaign ideas, headlines and calls to action that support student recruitment and build the University’s reputation. You will write short-form digital copy for paid advertising, social media, email and web, and lead editorial development of prospectuses and other print and long-form writing projects.

Reporting to the Brand Manager, you will translate complex course and research information into clear, engaging copy, adapt the

Qualifications

• You will have a good secondary education or equivalent relevant experience.
• You will bring demonstrable specialist copywriting skills for marketing purposes across multiple channels.
• Experience writing email and CRM copy for different audience segments and stages of the marketing journey, and writing/editing accessible web content.

Responsibilities

• Develop campaign ideas, headlines and calls to action for student recruitment.
• Write short-form digital copy for paid advertising, social media, email and web.
• Lead editorial development of prospectuses and other print and long-form writing projects.
• Write speeches for senior staff such as the Vice-Chancellor.
• Manage your own portfolio, balancing planned projects with new requests.
• Sharpen messaging, advise on written style and proofread copy for accuracy and consistency.

Skills

Copywriting

Marketing copy across channels

CRM copywriting

Editing for accessibility

Education

Secondary education or equivalent experience

Job description

As part of our recruitment approach, internal candidates will receive priority consideration at the shortlisting stage.

About the role

As our in-house Copywriter, you will develop campaign ideas, headlines and calls to action that support student recruitment and build the University’s reputation. You will write short-form digital copy for paid advertising, social media, email and web, as well as lead editorial development of prospectuses and other print and long form writing projects. You will also have the opportunity to write speeches for senior staff such as the Vice-Chancellor.

Reporting to the Brand Manager, your work will input into projects across Marketing, CRM, Digital, Communications and the faculties. You will turn complex course, research and institutional information into clear, accurate and engaging copy, adapting the Sussex tone of voice to each audience, channel and stage of the prospective student journey.

You will manage your own portfolio, balancing planned projects with new requests. You will help colleagues sharpen their messaging, advise on written style and proofread copy for accuracy, accessibility and consistency. You will use audience research, feedback and campaign performance to test and refine messages, and help colleagues apply the Sussex brand and tone of voice through practical guidance and training.

You will be expected to be involved in key University events, including Graduation, Open Days, registration and Clearing. Very occasional weekend working is required, with time off in lieu provided.

About you

You will have a good secondary education or equivalent relevant experience, together with demonstrable specialist copywriting skills. You will bring professional experience writing marketing copy across a range of out of home and digital platforms. You’ll also have experience writing email and CRM copy for different audience segments and stages of the marketing journey, and writing and editing accessible, easy-to-scan web content.

You will know how to turn a brief into a campaign concept, headline or call to action. You will be able to tell a compelling story from complex material, adapt an established tone of voice and proofread to a high standard. You are adept at organising competing deadlines, work well with colleagues across a complex organisation and use your judgement to solve copy challenges. You will be comfortable explaining your recommendations and using audience, market or performance information to improve your work.

Experience in higher education or a similarly complex organisation is desirable, as is longer-form editorial writing. Experience testing copy, training colleagues in tone of voice or working with creative, media or brand agencies would also be valuable.

About our Division

The CEA division is vital in contributing towards the success of Sussex. We work closely in partnership with our academic schools and other learning institutions in the UK, and, Internationally to attract the very best students we can.

Our ideas matter, that is why we work and advise on Institutional Growth Strategies to support the University in achieving positive outcomes. The life-long relationships with our global alumni and friends enable many of the gifts which allow Sussex’s research to flourish.

Please find further information regarding the division at Communications, Engagement and Advancement: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further Key Information

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Eligibility

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.