Communications Assistant

The School of the Humanities and Social Sciences is looking for an enthusiastic communicator to join a new team dedicated to growing communications capacity across our faculties and departments.

The School of the Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) comprises 11 departments and faculties at the University, each with varying levels of in- house communications resource and need. In terms of student numbers, SHSS is the largest of the University's six Schools, hosting close to 30% (over 5,000) of the total student load of the University and 50% of the University's taught Masters students. The School has over 1,000 staff, with around 300 University Teaching Officers.

Each Department and Faculty runs a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and is home to a community of academic researchers from Masters-level to Professor. There are also several themed interdisciplinary research centres and institutes across our School. All of these activities have associated communications infrastructure to support including websites, intranets, email newsletters and social media profiles.

As well as supporting activities led centrally by the School, a proportion of the School Communications Assistant's time will be allocated to specific departments and faculties within the School to deliver their individual communications requirements and provide cover and resilience in communications resourcing across the School.

The School Communications Assistant will be part of a small School Communications Team, line-managed by the School Communications Manager, which will provide agile and flexible communications support to our constituent departments and faculties, in order to: raise the profile of our highly interdisciplinary research; increase access and inclusion in the humanities and social sciences; support the implementation of a coherent digital presence; and strengthen the sense of belonging across the School community.

Working with the School Communications Manager and School Communications Coordinator, the School Communications Assistant will deliver effective multi- channel communications activity to a diverse range of audiences, including:

Developing and updating content for external websites and internal intranets

Creating content for social media, including short videos

Writing news articles and preparing press releases, in coordination with central University communications teams

Promoting events, open days and public engagement activities

Curating email newsletters for internal and external audiences

The School Communications Assistant will be involved in communications activities across a range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, covering areas of research, practice, teaching and impact. You will be supported by the School Communications Network, which encompasses communications professionals from across our departments and faculties, as well as central University communications communities.

This role would suit someone with excellent writing skills and some experience of communications channels, such as social media or website content, and who is looking to begin a career in communications.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to:

Ellie Hall , Communications Manager at [email protected]

Closing Date: 14th January 2024

Interview Date: w/c 22nd January 2024

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part- time working or other flexible working arrangements.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Questions about the application process should be addressed to Lauren Taylor, HR Coordinator at [email protected]

Please quote reference JA39564 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Office of the School of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Mill Lane, Central Cambridge

£29,605-£33,966

JA39564

Assistant staff

1 December 2023

14 January 2024