Media Relations Manager Ref: 9136
Department: Communications, Marketing and Advancement Division
Hours: Part-time (0.6 FTE). Options for job sharing. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).
Contract: Permanent
Reference: 9136
Salary range: starting at £35,333 to £42,155 per annum, pro rata
Placed on: 17 August 2022
Closing date: 29 September 2022
Expected interview date: To be confirmed
Expected start date: As soon as possible
Job description
The University of Sussex is looking to recruit a Media Relations Manager to work in a job share within the media relations team. The team promotes the University’s world-leading research, its positive impact in the world and the vibrant individuals which make up its campus community.
This is a dynamic role which will see the post-holder working proactively to secure media coverage on our world-leading research, planned campaigns, as well as swiftly to spot opportunities to place comments by academic experts on breaking news stories. The role also requires the ability to handle sensitive media stories with care, and to promote the University’s core news through media relations.
The post-holder will be responsible for promoting a group of the University’s academic schools and will secure media coverage for its students, staff, research and the teaching and learning experience. They will be required to write media relations plans in line with the organisation’s strategic goals to promote the University and its research. The role will include developing stories using a variety of communications tactics and social media platforms to reach multiple audiences.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced communications practitioner with a strong eye for a news story, and top media handling skills. They will be excited about the benefits job sharing offers them as an individual, as well as to the wider team and the organisation as a whole. They will be looking forward to developing a good rapport with their job share partner, and a collegiate approach to team-working.
They will thrive on turning complex subject matters into engaging copy and content, and have strong communications skills and journalist contacts. An ability to work collaboratively with others within the team and wider organisation is critical.
Staff are working in a hybrid way at present, with up to half of the time from home, and the rest from the office. Some out of office and weekend working will be necessary.
Please contact Anna Ford at a.ford@sussex.ac.uk for informal queries
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
You can find out more about our values and our EDI Strategy, Inclusive Sussex, on our webpages.
Download job description and person specification Ref 9136 [PDF 116.64KB]
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed from the UK.
Visa Sponsorship Queries:
This role may be eligible for sponsorship. For a job to be eligible for sponsorship it needs to be assigned an eligible SOC code & meet minimum salary requirements and be full time. Please contact HRCompliance@sussex.ac.uk so they can check if this role can be assigned to an eligible SOC code and meets the minimum salary requirements. You can also consult our Skilled Worker Visa Information page for further information.
How to apply
Download our professional services application form - Dec 2020 [DOC 203.00KB] and Personal Details and Equal Opportunities Form [DOC 119.50KB] and fill in all sections.
You must email your completed application, and personal details and equal opportunities form, to profservicesrecruitment@sussex.ac.uk
You should attach your application form and all documents to the email in PDF format (we are unable to accept applications as google.docs or .pages) and use the format job reference number / job title / your name in the subject line.
You can also send your application by post to Human Resources Division, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH.