About
The
Job.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Marketing and Communications Officer
About
The
Job.
Pursue the extraordinary
Overview
About the Department
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is one of the national leaders in
the field: it was rated in the top 4 in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (2008) when
accounting for profile and volume, and nationally is 2nd in terms of research income. The
department currently has around 40 academics, supported by 20 Technical and 16
administrative staff. One of seven departments in the Faculty of Engineering, the
Department of Materials Science and Engineering is growing rapidly, and currently has 65
Postdoctoral Research Staff, 141 Research Students, 19 MSc students and 224 students
taking taught MEng and BEng degree programmes.
Job Role
As Marketing and Communications Officer the post holder will make strategic and
significant improvements in marketing and communication activities across the
Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
The post will report to the Department Administration Manager, to improve the quality and
effectiveness of communications within the Department and with external audiences.
The
role will also involve working closely with the Director of Teaching and Learning in
marketing the Department’s programmes along with other student focused activities such
as application conversion, and with the Director of Research and Innovation and Business
Development Manager to ensure that the Department’s research profile is widely
recognised.
We are looking for candidates who are organised, have good attention to detail and
excellent customer service skills. You will be able to demonstrate excellent communication
skills both face to face and in writing and have proven experience of managing a variety of
marketing and communication projects through to delivery.
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Assist the Departmental Administration Manager and other colleagues to develop a
marketing and communications plan. Take responsibility for executing the plan, working
with colleagues as appropriate. Undertake internal surveys and market research as
appropriate to support the plan.

Maintain and develop the Department’s web site and intranet. Working with colleagues,
generate ideas, agree content, collect stories, write and produce content.

Develop and maintain key communication channels within the Department, including
the Department newsletter, Intranet and various events.

Develop and maintain new and existing communication channels, for example Facebook
and Twitter. Generate ideas, agree content, collect stories and produce content.

Assist the Course Directors to develop marketing materials for programmes, including
video/image production.

Assist the Admissions team in conversion activities, including e-newsletters.

Assist the Business Development Manager to develop marketing materials to promote
the Department’s research profile.

Develop material, including case studies, for student and alumni related marketing
campaigns.

Contribute to the communication, coordination and management of Departmental
events (for example Graduation, careers fairs, student hospitality) as appropriate.

Assist Society representatives in communication and sponsorship applications.

Develop effective connections with the Department’s alumni, including maintaining
appropriate records.

Assist with the organisation, communication and management of seminar series,
conferences and other departmental events.

Service committee meetings as required.

Undertake other activities as required to ensure that all administrative activities within
the Department are undertaken in a timely and efficient manner, working closely with
senior colleagues.

Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post, within the Department or
across the Faculty of Engineering.
Person Specification
Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following
criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these
areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted
candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.
Criteria
Essential Desirable
Qualifications and experience
1.
Education to degree standard in Business and/or Marketing or
X
equivalent experience
Specialist skills
2.
Experience in using Microsoft Office packages, in particular
X
Word, Excel and Access.
3.
Experience of using social media, preferably in a professional
X
environment.
4.
High degree of accuracy, and attention to detail.
X
5.
Excellent standard of written English, including grammatical
X
accuracy.
6.
Have an awareness of current trends and development in
X
communications technology.
7.
Experience of writing and preparing copy for a variety of
X
audiences.
Communication skills
8.
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal. The
X
ability to communicate to different audiences effectively.
9.
Experience of working with content management systems (CMS)
X
and/or e-marketing software.
10.
Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding
X
efficiently and effectively to phone and email enquiries.
Team working
11.
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
X
Problem solving and decision making
12.
Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.
X
13.
Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of
X
longer-term implications.
Project management
14.
Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively, to
X
meet deadlines and provide a timely and efficient service.
15.
Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress
X
work activities effectively.
Personal effectiveness
16.
Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts
X
throughout own work area.
17.
Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances.
X
18.
Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively, to
X
meet deadlines and provide a timely and efficient service.
19.
A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
X
20.
A flexible and positive approach to work.
X
21.
Confident and professional manner and ability to act with
X
discretion and diplomacy.
Further Information
This post is full-time:
This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible
working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University.
Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business
needs of the post. See www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/wellbeing/info/wlb.html for more
information.
Benefits
Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 5 staff.
Salary for this grade: £20,374 - £23,585 per annum pro-rata. Potential to progress to
£25,759 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution.
More details on salaries, terms and conditions and our wide range of benefits for staff are
available at www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/reward/structures
Closing date: 17 January 2014
Informal enquiries:
For all on-line application system queries and support, contact:
e-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk .
For informal enquiries about this job and department, contact: Miss Lucy Price,
Departmental Administration Manager, lucy.price@sheffield.ac.uk 0114 2225018.
Selection-Next Step
Following the closing date, you will be informed by email whether or not you have been
shortlisted to be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note
that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working
weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact
you.
It is anticipated that interviews and other selection action will be held on XXX. Full details
will be provided to invited candidates.
The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion.
The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer
www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks
The University has achieved the Athena SWAN award for Women in Science, Engineering
and Medicine.
Pursue the extraordinary