Purpose of Role
As the Trusted Research and Secure Innovation Network’s Communications and Engagement Officer, you will work across partner universities to ensure that the Network’s stakeholders are engaged in and aware of the project’s work and outputs. We are keen to identify an experienced internal communications professional with the passion and enthusiasm to deliver in this role.
The post holder will be a key member of the Trusted Research and Secure Innovation Network project, forming part of the MRAC professional family reporting via the Senior Marketing and Communications Manager (Research). The post holder will work across the extended project, with Trusted Research and Secure Innovation specialists, the project manager, business analyst and technical specialists, to shape and deliver communications to the project’s stakeholders in line with the project’s vision and goals.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
1. Work with the project lead and sponsor to develop the internal project’s communication plan ensuring effective, consistent delivery of information to stakeholders in alignment with the programme schedule.
2. Write compelling, timely and accurate copy to stakeholders to ensure enhanced visibility of, and engagement with, project progress, goals, benefits, and successes.
3. Provide guidance and advice to the project team to interpret the communication requirement, determine key messages, target audiences and appropriate channels to use, utilising own experience, and that of the wider team when required.
4. Work with the project team to design engaging communications as part of an agile approach to project management and delivery.
5. Plan, prioritise and organise your own work and resources to agreed objectives, including sharing responsibility for team activities and leading plans and priorities, monitoring progress against targets.
6. Work with key stakeholders to measure engagement with and impact of comms to ensure effective plans are developed.
7. Draft non-standard communication with sensitive/complex/confidential matters for review and use by more senior members of the team.
8. Explain regulations and procedures to colleagues.
9. Gather, develop and disseminate project news and information to relevant colleagues and stakeholders.
10. Prepare presentations for stakeholder events and briefings to keep them updated on programme progress.
11. Review and interpret engagement metrics across all relevant tools and channels.
12. Assess impact of comms through seeking qualitative feedback from key stakeholders and audiences.
13. Be an active contributor to, and supported of, the goals and objectives of the wider team, providing encouragement champion to the work being achieved.
14. Build co-operation and set example by demonstrating a flexible approach at all times.
15. Cover for other colleagues within the immediate team.
16. A critical part of a strategic communications role is to build meaningful relationships with key stakeholders.
17. Provide a coherent communications service, based on comprehensive networks and engagement.
18. Create a positive image of the project by being responsive, prompt and courteous when responding to requests or enquiries.
19. Assist in the setting of standards for the service team.
20. Produce reports for management as requested.
21. Liaise with internal and external teams, committees, bodies etc. as required, to ensure an effective service.
22. Process information, for example as relevant to role, applications, offers, contracts, orders, records, payments in accordance with agreed service levels.
23. Assist project manager in development and delivery of proactive project plan with clear measurement and reporting on impact.
24. Understand the appropriate tools to use when undertaking day to day tasks.
25. Distribute communications and adjust tone and content aligned to appropriate brand and tone of voice guidelines.
26. Identifying the communication need, key messages, tone of voice and more appropriate channel to use.
27. Reviewing current channels of communication and suggesting new ways of working, if appropriate.
28. Identify and support process improvement.
29. React to problems using judgement and past experience to solve non-routine problems referring to line manager when required.
30. Set and monitor standards in own area of work.
31. You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of similar nature as reasonably requested by your line manager. You are required to follow all Heriot Watt University policies and procedures and take account of university guidance.
Essential Criteria
Essential
32. A degree or relevant professional qualifications or significant relevant professional experience.
33. Skilled in the use of the latest digital tools and techniques to engage stakeholders.
34. Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering communications plans for comprehensive change programmes or projects.
35. Ability to assimilate and translate complex information and ideas make them accessible to a wider audience through a variety of communications channels.
36. Experienced networker, skilled at building relationships and influencing outcomes.
37. Tact and discretion is essential.
38. Demonstrate exceptional written, verbal, and digital communication skills.
39. A flexible and adaptable approach, coupled with the ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
40. Ability to operate under pressure to strict deadlines.
Desirable
41. Previous experience of working within, or with if part of an agency, college and/or University.
42. Previous experience of working within, or with if part of an agency, a large-scale global organisation.
43. Possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge to advise others on the area of expertise.
44. Ability to multi-function as part of a busy professional communications team.
45. Understanding of project management