Communications Specialist
Business Area: Pensions Strategy and Proposition
Place of Work: Liverpool
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.
Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.
About the role
In your role as Communications Specialist, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role is a great opportunity to provide communications that are simple, clear, and personalised, at key points throughout the member journey, and to support employers in understanding and administering the scheme so they can, in turn, support members. This includes (but is not limited to) the production of end-to-end communications in accordance with the plan – from insight, planning and brief, to collateral production, management, delivery and results, with a focus on the holistic experience, in order to empower members to engage confidently with their pension.
What you will be doing
As a trusted part of the Pensions Strategy and Proposition team you will:
Be responsible for works with the Senior Communication Specialists and Communications Managers to develop multi-channel content in alignment with the communications plan.
Lead communication co-ordination, from brief creation (following planning approval by Communications Manager), agency liaison (where appropriate) and internal stakeholder engagement, to ensure buy-in and provides updates.
Proof edit communications materials ensuring accuracy of message and compliance with statutory (Legal) and regulatory (Compliance) requirements.
Continually monitor the effectiveness of communications activity, producing timely reports and commentary, suggesting improvements where appropriate.
Ensure the communications proposition is applied consistently across all channels and in line with the wider journey and segmentation requirements.
Act as a custodian of the USS brand and style guidelines, ensuring consistent use across all platforms in terms of look, image, identity, and message.
Control the accuracy of content and ensure it is clear, engaging and reflects the organisation's strategic objectives and brand pillars.
Provide communications expertise, support, and advice on a wide range of projects, and represents communications in internal task force projects and forums as required.
Establish and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Track spend against budget for individual content projects, reporting up to the Senior Communication Specialists and Communications Managers, where needed.Adhere to core departmental processes. i.e. supplier contracting, agency briefing, messaging sign off, risk and data management, proposition formation process etc
About you
We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.
To be successful in the role you will have:
Excellent all-round communications skills
Engaging copywriter across multichannel
Able to convert complex information into easily understandable content
Accuracy and attention to detail and able to manage own workload proactively
Educated to degree level or relevant experience
Pensions knowledge advantageous, wider financial services/product knowledge desirable
Why join us?
At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families. We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development. We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team. Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits
How we will reward you
Great starting salary
Generous annual leave package
Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
Employee Volunteer Day's to support the communities where you work and live
Cycle to Work Scheme
Our culture and values
Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them 'front and centre' of what we do. This is embedded through our values:
Integrity
Collaboration
Excellence
About us
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March To find out more, please visit
USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting