Communications & Media Manager Nottingham, England
Job description
Communications & Media Manager
UKRI – NERC – BGS
Location: This role will be based at the BGS headquarters in Keyworth, Nottingham
Salary: salary range is £31,931 to £34,709 (depending on qualifications and experience)
Grade: UKRI - Band D
Hours: Full-time – 37 hours a week (some flexible working options may be available including a small amount of remote working in line with BGS policy)
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 19th March 2023
Please note that internal UKRI applicants will be subject to the UKRI Pay & Reward Policy & Guidance to determine their starting salary
A great benefits package is offered! including an outstanding pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time
About the role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Communications & Media Manager to join the BGS Engagement & Communications Team at their headquarters in Nottingham.
You will have a strong background in leading and developing media relations, delivering high quality communications campaigns to underpin the BGS Strategy, writing and delivering press releases for the BGS website and day to day management of external and internal communications.
A key part of this role will be to support the Engagement and Communications team and develop relationships with staff at all levels. Other key duties/responsibilities include:
- Producing long form content (press releases, research highlights, news items)
- Prioritisation and planning of external content in collaboration with the Digital Communications Team
- Building and maintaining media relations
- Horizon scanning for external content
- Leading and handling communications for the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre.
- Coordination of the BGS press office
- Line Management responsibility for a Communications Officer
- Coordination and management of internal communications
About you
With very strong communication skills, you will have experience of using a variety of communication channels, with the capability to evaluate these channels to continually improve and develop consistent communications that promotes and amplifies the BGS brand and the BGS Strategy.
You will have worked in high pressure environments and with the ability to write engaging content to tight deadlines and working on multiple projects simultaneously.
This post will require occasional travel within the UK. A small amount of remote working may be available in line with BGS policy, and you will also join and be an active member of the BGS press office on call rota.
Please also refer to the additional specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.
About us
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.
BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites: a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham, and the Lyell Centre, which is a collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations, has close links with 40 universities, and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year.
We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency! As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.
How to apply
Applicants are required to include a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.
A well thought through application addressing the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
Please apply online, if you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact [email protected].
The closing date for receipt of applications is 19th March 2023. Interviews will be held in late March 2023 in Nottingham.
Communications & Media Manager: Skills Specification
Criteria to be assessed at Shortlist ‘S’ and Interview ‘I’ Stage
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification and a good amount of relevant experience in a communications role (S)
Experience
Essential
- A good amount of relevant post-graduate PR experience (S&I)
- Experience of working in a lively press office (S)
- Experience of working in Media Relations (S&I)
- Consistent track record in communication planning, implementation, and evaluation (S&I)
- Experience of generating engaging communications content (press releases, internal communications, and web content) (S&I)
- Experience of devising and implementing community engagement events (S&I)
- Experience of internal communications and finding innovative ways of communicating to the workforce (S&I)
Desirable
- Experience of working within a science-based organisation (S)
Knowledge
Essential
- Competent with Microsoft Office applications (S&I)
- Experience of working with on-line PR monitoring and distribution services (S)
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of UK research and science research (S&I)
Skills & abilities
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills (S&I)
- Ability to work unsupervised (S)
- Very good attention to detail (S)
- Ability to prioritise work and meet tight timescales (S&I)
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities (S&I)
- Ability to emphasise with the needs of the business/your colleagues and relate this to your role in the organisation (S&I)
- Ability and confidence to approach and work with BGS scientists, identify exciting news, often working to challenging timeframes (S&I)
Desirable
- Ability to assist with the delivery of large public engagement events (S)
Personal qualities
Essential
- The ability to form good working relationships with people at all levels, both internally and externally (S&I)
- The ability to provide constructive feedback and say “no” when required (S&I)
- Enthusiastic and positive self-starter who works well as part of a team (S)
- Able to travel off-site occasionally (I)
- Demonstrates an alignment to BGS Core Values (I)
Motivation
Essential
- Demonstrates an interest in the work of BGS, NERC and UKRI (I)
- Displays an enthusiasm for their communications activities (I)
- Demonstrates an interest in their own Continuing Professional Development (I)
- Displays a desire to continuously improve BGS’s communications performance and impact (I)
