Research Communications Manager

The Open University; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working

Job summary

The Open University in Milton Keynes invites applications for a role in External Communications within the MarComms unit to craft narratives and key messages about OU research for broad audiences across multiple channels.

This role involves delivering high-impact external communications, working with stakeholders across Research and Enterprise, faculties and business units, to support the Marcomms Greater Reach plan and promote OU research externally.

Qualifications

• Experience of external communications. Generating stories, creating content and campaigns that work across multiple channels.
• Experience of contributing to the delivery of integrated campaigns across paid, earned, shared, and owned communications channels.
• Can demonstrate a track record of actioning different and varied communications quickly across a range of channels.
• Evidence of strong spoken and written interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work quickly and accurately to tight deadlines producing material which requires minimal input from senior colleagues.
• Can navigate a complex organisation, prioritise and deliver with multiple stakeholders that have different objectives.
• An understanding of the role research can play in promoting the OU to key audiences.
• Experience of supporting academics in helping them explain complex research projects to a wide audience.
• Evidence of an ability to utilise research outputs and creatively communicate it both internally and externally.
• Experience of regular reporting to demonstrate the effectiveness of research communications towards the greater reach plan.

Responsibilities

• The production of a monthly OU Research newsletter on LinkedIn.
• Production of up to four new research grants stories for OU channels and working on making more of them in discussion with the Senior Manager, Research Communications.
• Leading on an OU research video or podcast series.
• Working with the Senior Manager, Research Communications, faculties and the OU YouTube team to produce a regular stream of videos about OU research.
• You will create content that can be adapted for use by teams working in media relations, external comms and government and external affairs as well as nations and faculty.
• You will draft copy and keep the OU Research website up to date with research news.
• Your role will work across multiple channels including event support for key research moments such as the Research Excellence Awards/key OU research showcases.
• Your ultimate aim is to further the understanding of the impact of the OU’s research both internally and externally.

Skills

External communications

Storytelling

Integrated campaigns

Stakeholder management

Writing skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Research communication

Media relations support

Job description

Job Location: Milton Keynes, Remote/Hybrid

Department: External Communications

Closing Date: 22 September 2026

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 30 April 2027

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education, combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

This role is based in the Marketing and Communications (MarComms) unit and the position sits within the External Communications team.

Our vision is to tell the story of the OU’s research to the world. We need somebody who can craft narratives and key messages on a wealth of different stories and projects. Whilst this role requires you to deliver high impact external communications for the OU, working across multiple channels delivering stories and content.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for delivering high impact research communications, working with the Research Communications Manager for the OU with a range of key stakeholders, including Research and Enterprise, faculties and business units. You are proactive, working with others to extract information to create powerful narratives and key messaging to support the Marcomms Greater Reach plan.

You can take a planned approach to work, by leading, sourcing and delivering communications that can be used in University wide campaigns and external activity. The role requires interaction and management with groups of different stakeholders across the University and should ensure that research is at the heart of the Marcomms Greater Reach plan.

The role will also support the OU’s leaders, academic experts and our amazing students, as they deliver the University's key messages both internally and externally. You will work with the Research Communications Manager to ensure the development of the Open Societal Challenges programme and support the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) in its continued development.

Specific areas of responsibility will be:

• The production of a monthly OU Research newsletter on LinkedIn.
• Production of up to four new research grants stories for OU channels and working on making more of them in discussion with the Senior Manager, Research Communications.
• Leading on an OU research video or podcast series.
• Working with the Senior Manager, Research Communications, faculties and the OU YouTube team to produce a regular stream of videos about OU research.

You will create content that can be adapted for use by teams working in media relations, external comms and government and external affairs as well as nations and faculty. You will draft copy and keep the OU Research website up to date with research news.

Your role will work across multiple channels including event support for key research moments such as the Research Excellence Awards/key OU research showcases. Your ultimate aim is to further the understanding of the impact of the OU’s research both internally and externally.

About You

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience of external communications. Generating stories, creating content and campaigns that work across multiple channels.
• Experience of contributing to the delivery of integrated campaigns across paid, earned, shared, and owned communications channels.
• Can demonstrate a track record of actioning different and varied communications quickly across a range of channels.
• Evidence of strong spoken and written interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work quickly and accurately to tight deadlines producing material which requires minimal input from senior colleagues.
• Can navigate a complex organisation, prioritise and deliver with multiple stakeholders that have different objectives.
• An understanding of the role research can play in promoting the OU to key audiences.
• Experience of supporting academics in helping them explain complex research projects to a wide audience.
• Evidence of an ability to utilise research outputs and creatively communicate it both internally and externally.
• Experience of regular reporting to demonstrate the effectiveness of research communications towards the greater reach plan.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email [e-mail] quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that the role holder will be required to work from our Milton Keynes campus at least 1 day per week, with flexibility to attend campus more or less frequently dependent on business need.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place 8th and 9th October.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.