Press and Communications Executive - (8071)

Press and Communications Executive – Fixed Term Contract for 6 months 

We are looking for an enthusiastic Press and Communications Executive ready to take on a challenging and rewarding fixed-term role. As a key member of the University's Press Team, you will create high-quality content to share the University's stories while promoting and protecting the University's reputation through various media and channels.

About the role

Working with our Faculty of Science and Engineering and Faculty of Business and Law, you will build content and media relations focused on the University's key strengths. This includes its support for businesses, degree apprenticeships, and its world-leading research in the areas of sport, health and sustainability. 

Ideal candidate will:

• Identify and develop news stories which highlight the University's key strengths and expertise.
• Develop media and PR activity aligned to the University's Reputation Strategy, which tell those stories with impact (right content, right time, right channels).
• Write high quality copy and collaborate with the wider Communications and Marketing Teams to develop engaging content using a range of media (podcasts, video, etc) to attract media/external interest.
• Build relationships with key journalists across a range of media and manage their interest.
• Produce content for a range of channels, including social media, podcasts and videos.
• Create an engaging range of content to showcase Manchester Met's strategic research, expertise, news and success with key audiences, such as the University's podcast MetCast.

This 6-month fixed-term role offers a valuable opportunity to support and contribute to exciting changes, impactful projects and experience the full scope of our work. 

As a hybrid worker, you will be based at our All Saints Campus for two days a week while working three days remotely.

About You

A passionate, creative, and proactive, solutions driven communications expert committed to exceptional external communications and media relations.

Ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent media relations skills, including experience of pitching stories and building relationships with journalists
• Enthusiastic and motivated to effectively deliver projects to deadlines
• Strong negotiation, influencing and persuasion skills
• Confidence to communicate clearly and effectively to people of widely differing levels of seniority across the organisation, both in writing and in person
• Ability to interpret complex information and data and develop key messages

About the Press Team

We put communication and engagement excellence at the heart of how we work and how others work for us!

Our team is dedicated to building and enhancing the University's profile and reputation, supporting our goal to be recognised as the University, employer, and partner of choice. As part of a great university in a great global city, the Press Team plays a key role in promoting Manchester Met's strengths to build its reputation as well as developing communications and strategies to protect its reputation. Our team sits in the wider Communications and Engagement Team and works with colleagues to tell our stories through the media - this might be publicising new research findings on TV or radio, or securing headlines online and in print to highlight our students' success.

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you!

For the full list of criteria and benefits, please refer to the job description and candidate pack attached below. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter detailing your suitability, on the application portal.

For informal enquiries, about this vacancy, please contact Dan Cottam on d.cottam@mmu.ac.uk

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+