Media and Communications Officer (Social Sciences) (111055-1225)

University of Warwick; Coventry; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK educational institution is seeking a Media and Communications Officer to promote their research through effective media strategies. The successful candidate will lead communications projects while building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This role requires excellent writing skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to engage with the media. Offering a diverse range of benefits including a generous holiday policy and professional development opportunities, this position is key to enhancing the University's global visibility.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus University closure

Generous parental/adoption leave

Onsite childcare facilities

Excellent learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in communications or media relations.
• Ability to work independently while managing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to persuade and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations for the University’s research initiatives.
• Develop creative media relations plans with measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate communication projects aligned with University goals.

Skills

Experience in communications

Excellent writing skills

Ability to engage with media

Strategic thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Media relations tools

Social media platforms

Content management systems

Job description

Media and Communications Officer (Social Sciences) (111055-1225)

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About The Role

Responsible for a wide range of communications activities for the University to promote our world‑leading research, through the delivery of high‑quality content in digital, broadcast and print media. This role requires a skilled communications officer with experience of pitching stories to the media.
The role will lead on specific strategic communication projects and will also act as the communications advisor on a number of key workstreams, including, but not limited to, social sciences research, STEM related content and research and information from the School of Life Sciences, Warwick Institute of Employment Research and Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies. You will need to be a confident communicator as building relationships with internal and external stakeholders is a key part of this role.
To plan and deliver highly effective external proactive communications, including through research and education, with target audiences globally through digital, broadcast, and print media.
You will proactively develop and implement creative media relations plans in line with institutional priorities, including establishing objectives, messaging, understanding of audience, use of appropriate channels, and mechanisms to evaluate outcomes. You also will undertake horizon‑scanning to identify content creation and news distribution opportunities.
This will entail producing media relations content to maximise audience engagement. Content will include, but not be limited to: press releases, media packs, broadcast opportunities, feature writing, and digital assets. You will produce this yourself or in collaboration with the wider team and/or external agencies.
Work with academic departments and the leadership team to understand their priorities and coordinate media relations content in alignment with the University’s communications strategy.
Provide support to departments to enable them to tell their stories in creative and engaging ways. Advise academics and professionals on media relations good practice, broadcast skills, brand guidelines, and institutional narrative to ensure consistency of messaging.
Lead on or contribute to specific communications projects and campaigns to support key strategic objectives, motivating and developing cross‑functional teams to deliver results.
Actively supporting institutional preparedness for effective crisis communications via an out of hours rota. Evaluating performance, tracking progress against KPIs and delivering communication analytics reports to key stakeholders internally where required. Development and maintenance of relationships with journalists and news outlets relevant and valuable to the University and allocated portfolio departments.
Working in a cross‑functional team across MCI, proactively contributing to and shaping marketing and communications projects and campaigns to support strategic objectives using an assigned budget and motivating and developing teams to deliver results.
Operational The post holder will take direction from the management team but will be expected to manage their own work and priorities and act independently to clear parameters, updating and calling for advice/support when needed.
Communication The post holder will need to persuade journalists to engage with the University’s stories and academic expertise. Internally, the post holder will need to be able to influence colleagues and staff on media relations approaches and to help individuals to prepare for effective media engagement.
Other Information The post holder will need to be available to support early morning filming and interviews as well as weekend filming and interviews on an occasional basis. This responsibility is shared across the team. Post holder will be expected to be part of an on‑call rota for weekend/evenings cover.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

How to Apply

CLosing deadline: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time). To apply, please click “Apply” below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave). For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

What we Offer

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Safeguarding & DBS

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.

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