Senior PR and Comms Specialist

Knowsley Community College; St Helens; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Knowsley Community College invites a Senior Communications & PR Specialist to join the Marketing, Communications and Events Team. You will lead strategic communications, support senior leaders, and manage media relations to enhance the College Group's reputation.

Reporting to Head of Marketing, you'll develop campaigns, create content, monitor impact, and collaborate with students, staff, employers and the wider community.

Qualifications

• A degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in communications, public relations or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Experience of developing and delivering successful communications and PR campaigns.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Experience of creating engaging content across a variety of channels.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of working with senior leaders and a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver communications and PR plans that support the College Group's strategic objectives.
• Create engaging content for internal and external audiences across a range of communication channels.
• Provide communications support and guidance to senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Manage media relations activity and identify opportunities to secure positive media coverage.
• Develop and deliver communications campaigns that promote the College Group's achievements, successes and priorities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support reputation management and ensure communications are consistent with the College Group's values and brand.
• Write news stories, press releases, speeches, briefing materials and other communications content.
• Manage and update website and intranet content, ensuring information is accurate, engaging and up to date.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of communications and PR activities.
• Support the planning and delivery of College events alongside the Marketing, Communication and Events Team.

Skills

Degree in Communications

Experience in PR

Excellent communication

PR campaigns

Stakeholder management

Content creation

Time management

Senior leadership exposure

Project management

Independence

Education

Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related

Job description

Senior Communications & PR Specialist

Permanent | Full Time | 36 Hours per Week

Salary: £38,049 - £40,290 per annum

Closing Date: 6th November 2026

Shortlisting: Week Commencing 9th November 2026

Interviews: Week Commencing 16th November 2026

Help Shape Our Story and Strengthen Our Reputation

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Communications & PR Specialist to join the College Group's Marketing, Communication and Events Team.

As Senior Communications & PR Specialist, you will support the delivery of the College Group's communications and public relations activity, helping to enhance our reputation, strengthen stakeholder engagement and ensure consistent, impactful messaging across internal and external audiences.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced communications professional to play a key role in promoting the achievements, successes and strategic priorities of St Helens College and Knowsley Community College whilst helping to shape how we communicate with students, staff, stakeholders, employers and the wider community.

About The Role

Reporting to the Head of Marketing, Communication and Events, you will play a key role in implementing communications and PR plans, providing communications support to senior leaders, and managing media relations and communications campaigns across the College Group.

Working closely with the Principalship, Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you will develop and deliver effective communications that support organisational objectives, engage audiences and protect and enhance the College Group's reputation.

This is a varied and rewarding role combining strategic communications, public relations, campaign delivery, content creation, media engagement and stakeholder communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver communications and PR plans that support the College Group's strategic objectives.
• Create engaging content for internal and external audiences across a range of communication channels.
• Provide communications support and guidance to senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Manage media relations activity and identify opportunities to secure positive media coverage.
• Develop and deliver communications campaigns that promote the College Group's achievements, successes and priorities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support reputation management and ensure communications are consistent with the College Group's values and brand.
• Write news stories, press releases, speeches, briefing materials and other communications content.
• Manage and update website and intranet content, ensuring information is accurate, engaging and up to date.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of communications and PR activities.
• Support the planning and delivery of College events alongside the Marketing, Communication and Events Team.

About You

We are looking for an organised, proactive and creative communications professional with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of audiences.

You Will Have

• A degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in communications, public relations or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Experience of developing and delivering successful communications and PR campaigns.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Experience of creating engaging content across a variety of channels and platforms.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of working with senior leaders and a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Why Join Us?

At St Helens College and Knowsley Community College, you'll be part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to transforming lives through education and skills.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where innovation, collaboration and professional development are valued, providing you with the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day.

What We Can Offer You

• A positive and supportive working environment.
• 36 hour working week.
• 34 days' annual leave, rising to 39 days after 5 years' service (plus bank holidays).
• Excellent contributory pension scheme with Merseyside Pension Fund.
• Death in Service benefit.
• Free gym access and lunchtime yoga sessions.
• Free on-site parking.
• Discounted Starbucks and catering facilities across our campuses.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee Discount Scheme.
• Employee Referral Scheme.
• Wellbeing events and access to a dedicated wellbeing portal.
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression across the College Group.

Safeguarding and Equality

St Helens College and Knowsley Community College are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, students and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Important Information

This role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to enable sponsorship. Therefore, applications from candidates requiring sponsorship to work in the UK cannot be considered.

Please note that we do not accept CVs from recruitment agencies and any speculative CVs submitted to the College Group will not be considered.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest opportunity.