Planning and Network Coordinator

Imperial College London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days' annual leave

Generous pension

Hybrid working

Professional development

Job summary

Imperial is seeking a Planning and Network Coordinator to shape communications planning across the university. You will lead horizon scanning, coordinate cross‑unit information and build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and communications professionals.

In this hybrid role, you’ll produce strategic materials, analyse audience data and drive evidence‑led decision making to enhance impact and collaboration across Imperial’s communications network.

Qualifications

• Experience in communications, press office or public affairs environment.
• Strong project management with multiple priorities.
• Clear written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.
• Ability to analyse complex information and extract insights.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and cross‑org collaboration.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and judgement.
• Proactive, self‑starting, with ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead horizon scanning and maintain planning systems for opportunities and risks.
• Coordinate information to support strategic communications planning.
• Develop relationships with colleagues and communications professionals.
• Support cross‑divisional projects and campaigns with coordinated activity.
• Produce briefings, planning materials and reports for internal and external audiences.
• Gather and interpret audience insight, analytics and evaluation data.
• Share evidence‑based recommendations to improve communications.
• Grow Imperial's Communications Network through events and communities of practice.
• Foster collaboration and connectivity across communications teams.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Independent working

Audience insight

Job description

Are you an excellent connector, planner and communicator who enjoys turning insight into action?

We are looking for a Planning and Network Coordinator to play a pivotal role in shaping and coordinating communications activity across Imperial. Working closely with the Head of Operations and Planning, you will help ensure communications are strategically planned, insight-led and aligned with institutional priorities. You'll bring together information, people and ideas from across the university to support effective decision-making, collaboration and impact.

What you would be doing

As our Planning and Network Coordinator, you will help create the conditions for successful communications across Imperial by improving planning, coordination and information sharing.

You will:

• Lead horizon scanning and maintain planning systems that identify upcoming opportunities, risks and priorities across the institution.
• Coordinate information from across Imperial to support strategic communications planning and prioritisation.
• Develop strong working relationships with colleagues, senior stakeholders and communications professionals across the university.
• Support major cross-divisional communications projects and campaigns, ensuring activity is coordinated, aligned and effectively monitored.
• Produce briefings, planning materials, reports and content for a range of internal and external audiences.
• Gather, analyse and interpret audience insight, digital analytics, stakeholder intelligence and evaluation data to inform future communications activity.
• Share best practice, learning and evidence-based recommendations to improve communications effectiveness.
• Coordinate and grow Imperial's Communications Network through events, briefing sessions, communities of practice and peer networking opportunities.
• Help foster greater collaboration, knowledge sharing and connectivity across communications teams and professional networks.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a confident and collaborative communications professional with strong planning and relationship-management skills.

You will bring:

• Experience working within communications, press office, public affairs or journalism environment.
• Strong project management skills, with experience coordinating multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for a variety of audiences.
• The ability to analyse complex information, identify key insights and make practical recommendations.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and building productive relationships across organisational boundaries.
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and sound judgement.
• A proactive, self-starting approach and the confidence to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to bring people together around shared priorities.
• An interest in audience insight, evaluation and evidence-led communications.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to shape communications planning and best practice at one of the world's leading universities.
• A highly visible and influential role working with communications professionals from across Imperial.
• The chance to develop expertise in communications planning, audience insight, evaluation and stakeholder engagement.
• Opportunities to build extensive networks across higher education, communications and policy communities.
• A sector-leading benefits package including 43 days' annual leave and generous pension arrangements.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities from day one.
• Access to professional development, training and wellbeing support.
• A collaborative, inclusive and innovative environment where your work will have a real institutional impact.

Further information

The Communications Division supports and promotes Imperial's mission by communicating the impact of our world-leading research, education and innovation. We work with colleagues across the university to strengthen Imperial's reputation and engagement with key audiences in the UK and internationally.

This is a full-time, open-ended position based at White City Campus with hybrid working available.

This role would suit an experienced communications professional who enjoys communications planning, connecting people and ideas, and using insight to drive better decision-making and communication outcomes.

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Tabitha Pearson-Moore: [e-mail].