Full time permanent
Location: York
Salary: £25,804 to £26,707 per annum
Introduction to York St John UniversityWelcoming, challenging and inspiring, York St John University is an empowering place to learn and a rewarding place to work. We're looking for a creative, thoughtful social media assistant to join the Communications team at our award-winning campus in York. You’ll join a busy, purposeful environment at the University of the Year for Social Inclusion in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
The team
The Communications team at York St John is a vibrant, multi-functional group that covers all internal and external communications with staff, students and external parties.
This role will expand the team to seven people who cover a wide range of functions, making sure that internal and external stakeholders are up to date on the latest news and events while ensuring that the University is seen in the best possible light.
The role
This role, reporting to the Social Media Manager, is responsible for supporting a proactive and professional social media function for York St John University. You’ll develop accessible, inclusive content that engages with internal and external stakeholders, future and current students, staff alumni and community partners. In addition to the day-to-day monitoring of the main social media channels, you’ll also work on campaigns and impact analysis.
The post-holder will support colleagues to uphold the University’s brand guidelines and inclusive values.
Required skills and experience
We are looking for a candidate with experience working across multiple social media channels and a real understanding of and passion for communicating via social media:
1. The ideal candidate will have good creative skills, be well organised, have good attention to detail and will be an excellent communicator across different media and in a variety of settings.
2. Professional experience of shaping clear messages and writing compelling copy for diverse audiences
3. Digital skills to deploy communications across multiple platforms
4. The ability to work across external and internal communications by building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders, as well as with our staff and students.
5. A creative and inclusive approach to coordinating and delivering social media communications.
6. Experience of the HE environment is an advantage, but more important is a track record of delivering engaging social media activity, with the confidence and ability to work with teams from across York St John University.
Additional information
Any queries about the specifics of the role and suitability for the post should be directed to Tom Barker (Social Media Manager) at
Although we will not be asking for a skills test or presentation as part of the interview process, we would encourage candidates to bring examples of their work across social media platforms if called for interview.
Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.
We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.
This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we may close earlier if we receive a high level of applications.
Application process support
We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate application form guidance below which provides advice about completing the application process.
Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can be helpful in shaping your responses, but we encourage you to share your answers in your own words.
Our benefits package
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -
- Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period
- Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)
- Pension scheme
- Health Cash Plan after six months service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists
- On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software
- Relocation expenses package for certain roles
- Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and for additional costs (if applicable to the role)
Further information about life at YSJ
Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.
Closing Date - Monday 27 October 2025 at midnight
Provisional Interview Date - Friday 14 November 2025