Head of Communications

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Communications to lead strategic communications in a world-renowned research department. This exciting role involves refreshing the communications strategy, enhancing internal communications, and engaging with diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess excellent written skills, strategic thinking capabilities, and a deep understanding of the higher education communications landscape. This position offers a unique opportunity to thrive in a dynamic environment, contributing to impactful communications that resonate with a variety of audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience in public relations, media management, and outreach.
• Ability to develop high-quality, accurate communications materials.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for strategic oversight of internal and external communications.
• Implement and evaluate creative communications strategies.

Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Thinking

Operational Communications

Networking

Written Communication

Education

Degree in Relevant Subject

Equivalent Experience in Higher Education or Science Communications

Tools

Contemporary Communication Tools

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual to join our forward-thinking Department as our Head of Communications. Responsible for the strategic oversight of the Nuffield Department of Medicine’s (NDM) internal and external communications, you will refresh and implement the communications strategy with a specific focus on strengthening internal comms across the different NDM units.

The Head of Communications for NDM will have an expert understanding of the Higher Education communications field and will be expected to understand the context and scope of the communications required by a very large world-leading research department, engaging proactively internally and externally, to generate all forms of communication. Translating and targeting messages to a wide variety of audiences will be key. You will be expected to identify and implement the use of contemporary communication tools and services, in order to professionalise communications across and beyond the Department. As part of the role, you will be responsible for all departmental communication tools and channels, ensuring content is timely, accurate, relevant and creatively executed, whilst delivering a high level of service.

This is a challenging role requiring excellent skills in stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking, operational communications and networking. You will work largely independently, and will need to relate to staff at all levels, maintaining confidence, tact and diplomacy in complex situations.

To be successful in this role, you will educated to degree level in a relevant subject or come with equivalent experience in a higher education or science communications role, including public relations, media management and outreach. Significant and demonstrable ability to conceive, implement and evaluate both creative and successful communications strategies in a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholder groups will be crucial to this role. You will of course come armed with excellent written skills, with the ability to develop high quality, accurate and consistent communications materials, including about scientific matters both internally and externally. You will be a self-directed strategic thinker with the capacity to problem-solve, take initiative, set priorities and exercise good judgment and deliver clear messages.

The Nuffield Department of Medicine is a world-leading medical sciences research institute at the University of Oxford, working across several clinical disciplines. NDM is friendly, welcoming and keen to engage with the many challenges and opportunities that arise in our internationally recognised department. This role offers the opportunity to thrive in a diverse role in a supported environment.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will be need to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement should explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

This position is offered full time on a permanent contract.

Only applications received before 12 midday on 16th May 2025 will be considered. Interviews will be held during week commencing 26th May. Please quote179340 on all correspondence.