External Communications Officer

Job description

The University of Wolverhampton is looking for an experienced and creative communications professional to join our Marketing, Communications and Digital Directorate as an External Communications Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to help raise the profile of one of the UK's fastest-rising universities, supporting institutional reputation, student recruitment, research impact and stakeholder engagement through compelling storytelling and strategic communications activity.

Working as part of a small, busy and highly collaborative communications team, you will identify and develop newsworthy stories from across the University, producing engaging content for media, digital and social media channels. You will work closely with academics, professional services colleagues and senior leaders to showcase the University's achievements, research, partnerships and impact across the region, nationally and internationally.

The role combines proactive media relations, content creation, digital communications and campaign support. You will write press releases, features, statements, blogs and news stories, manage media enquiries, facilitate interviews and photo opportunities, contribute to high-profile events, and support internal communications activity. You'll also help evaluate coverage, maintain key communication channels and contribute to major institutional campaigns such as Clearing, Graduation and student recruitment.

The University of Wolverhampton is looking for an experienced and creative communications professional to join our Marketing, Communications and Digital Directorate as an External Communications Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to help raise the profile of one of the UK's fastest-rising universities, supporting institutional reputation, student recruitment, research impact and stakeholder engagement through compelling storytelling and strategic communications activity.

Working as part of a small, busy and highly collaborative communications team, you will identify and develop newsworthy stories from across the University, producing engaging content for media, digital and social media channels. You will work closely with academics, professional services colleagues and senior leaders to showcase the University's achievements, research, partnerships and impact across the region, nationally and internationally.

The role combines proactive media relations, content creation, digital communications and campaign support. You will write press releases, features, statements, blogs and news stories, manage media enquiries, facilitate interviews and photo opportunities, contribute to high-profile events, and support internal communications activity. You'll also help evaluate coverage, maintain key communication channels and contribute to major institutional campaigns such as Clearing, Graduation and student recruitment.

About You

You will be an excellent communicator with substantial experience in communications, media relations, journalism or public relations. You should be comfortable translating complex information into engaging content for a variety of audiences and channels, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

You will have:

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience in communications, PR, journalism or media relations.
• Experience of writing high-quality content for multiple audiences and channels.
• Strong media relations skills and confidence in dealing with journalists and stakeholders.
• Experience of digital and social media communications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to build positive working relationships across a large organisation.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.

Experience within higher education, delivering communications campaigns, creating digital content and using media monitoring or content management systems would be advantageous.

This role occasionally requires attendance at events outside normal working hours, including weekends, with time off in lieu provided where appropriate. Hybrid working is available in line with University policy.