Public Relations Officer Directorate of Corporate Affairs Public Relations Fixed-term until 30 October 2015 Full time Salary £25,513 to £31,342 per annum, dependent on experience Vacancy reference CA 189/14 Closing date 3 November 2014 at 12 noon The University Sheffield Hallam is one of the UK's most progressive and innovative universities. With more than 34,500 students, 4,400 employees and a turnover of more than £247m we are the fourth largest university in the UK. We pride ourselves on making a difference - to our students, our employees and to the businesses we work with. Our research and business ideas, alongside our sought after graduates, contribute to the economic and social development of both our region and to the UK as a whole. Our teaching is first-rate and is supported by our world-class applied research. Our students are a diverse group and benefit from a tailored approach that helps them to get the most from their studies. We offer top quality teaching and learning facilities and the ability to learn flexibly in a way that best suits their needs. For example, we are one of the UK's leading universities in e-learning and offer a range of distance learning and part time courses as well as the more traditional full time courses. Our industry partners choose Sheffield Hallam because of our flexible, business led approach and our high quality research, facilities and students. Our partners include Sony, BP, NHS, Network Rail, Cisco, SAP and Microsoft. Our facilities are state-of-the-art and we have invested heavily in new technology to ensure that our technological capability matches the cutting-edge approach of our teaching. We are recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning, e-learning and employability. The University's Strategy for 2014-2020 outlines our priorities. A summary is available at: www.shu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/documents/UniversityStrategy2020.pdf Directorate of Corporate Affairs The Directorate of Corporate Affairs is a large directorate at the University, which brings together the Department of Communications and Alumni Relations, Marketing and Pre-Enrolment Services, to create a dedicated resource of more than 180 people to promote the University and help it to achieve its key recruitment and business aims. Page 1 of 8 Department of Communications and Alumni Relations This role is based within the Department of Communications and Alumni Relations, which is responsible for devising and directing all aspects of internal and external corporate communications, and for developing and managing relationships with our alumni. The department helps the University achieve a strong media profile to help attract the staff, students and business it needs to be successful. It also conducts public affairs and stakeholder relations activities. Through an internal communications function, the department ensures that a clear sense of direction and priorities for action are communicated to and understood by all staff. The department manages a varied annual programme of events, including celebrity lectures, VIP visits, graduation ceremonies and honorary doctorate conferments. Public Relations The small team within the Department of Communications and Alumni Relations manages all external media relations with magazines, newspapers, TV, radio, online and trade press, to maximise positive coverage for the University and its activities. The team also manages the University's corporate social media channels, creating content and engaging with its varied audiences. Specifically, the team:     works with colleagues across the University to source good news stories and target them to relevant media serves as a first point of call for all media enquiries and provides an advisory role for colleagues helps to generates publicity for corporate events, projects and campaigns writes and publishes Review, the University's flagship magazine. Location City Campus This post is based at our City Campus which is situated next to Sheffield’s train and coach stations and has easy access to the M1. It is in the heart of the city centre, next to shopping areas, art galleries, theatres, cinemas bars and cafés and the Winter Gardens. There is plenty to do and see in your lunch break or after work. Discussion and selection event For informal enquiries regarding this post please contact Ally Mogg (Public Relations Manager) on: Telephone Email 0114 225 2811 a.mogg@shu.ac.uk Proposed selection event 11 November 2014 The selection event for this post will comprise of an interview and in-tray test Page 2 of 8 Job description Job Title Public Relations Officer Faculty/Dept Department of Corporate Affairs Grade Grade 6 Reports to Public Relations Manager Direct reports N/A Role Purpose To take a key role in promoting the University and its vision, mission and aims, through building effective relationships with the media and placing stories in the local, regional, national and international media. To undertake public relations activity that supports specific promotional events, research achievements, excellent learning and teaching and other key initiatives, and to organise administrative back-up for those activities. Responsibilities Public Relations                  To act as a first point of contact for the media and to respond to their enquiries by agreed deadlines, liaising with colleagues where appropriate to ensure that all enquiries are dealt with efficiently and in line with University positioning To take the lead role in dealing with regional and national news stories, as directed by the Public Relations Manager. To identify and manage as many promotional opportunities for each story as possible, to maximise coverage, influence key stakeholders and manage reputation To act as a media spokesperson for the University where appropriate To coordinate official University responses to controversial questions from the media, liaising with and advising colleagues in order to draft and agree these responses To take the lead and manage communications and public relations campaigns To manage public relations activity for longer term corporate positioning projects where required, including creating and managing plans and strategies To identify and research news stories, write news releases and identify other public relations techniques to promote these stories through the appropriate channels, including the website and social media. To target and distribute news releases using media targeting software To identify and research ways to positively promote the University, and to feed back ideas to the senior management team To use the University's social media channels to manage and develop relationships, engage with different audiences and manage reputational issues as they arise To build mutually beneficial relationships with journalists, PR professionals, other stakeholders and internal colleagues To develop and maintain schedules of forthcoming publicity opportunities for the University and to follow up these leads, in conjunction with the other Public Relations Officer(s) To play a key role in developing an understanding of and commitment to the added value and benefits of good PR practice, and communicate this to colleagues where appropriate To regularly scan and keep up to date with current trends in the media, and identify opportunities to promote the University as a result To provide public relations advice and support to corporate events To provide public relations support and advice to colleagues across the University as required on specific issues, and share good practice Page 3 of 8 General       To manage a diverse workload and decide and change priorities on an hour by hour basis, depending on the situation To maintain effective records of media monitoring and to compile media monitoring and evaluation reports as directed by the Public Relations Manager. To identify, research and write news articles and features for the University magazine, and play an active role on the editorial board. To provide other administrative and practical support within the department as required from time to time. Professionally represent the University at external and corporate events Any other duties, as agreed. Page 4 of 8 Person Specification Job Title Public Relations Officer Faculty / Directorate Directorate of Corporate Affairs (* Essential or Desirable) Details E* D* Evidence** Attainment Education qualifications to degree level or equivalent. Evidenced achievements e.g. relevant qualifications (or equivalents), training, membership of professional bodies A degree or other qualification in a related subject. D AF Professional Qualification (CIM or CIPR) D AF Experience Significant experience in a public relations role. Type of experience and specific knowledge required for this job Experience of writing for publications. D AF + I Experience of public relations work in a large and complex organisations D AF + I E E Skills and abilities required for effective performance e.g. numeracy, attention to detail, oral and written communication, planning and organising, leadership skills, ability to cope with conflicting demands/deadlines AF + I Experience of working in a busy press office E AF + I Experience of using social media channels on behalf of an organisation E AF + I Experience of organising and communicating information clearly, succinctly and confidently to the media and the organisation E AF + I + In-tray Experience of working with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels of an organisation. E AF + I Experience of managing conflicting priorities and working to tight timescales. E AF + I Experience of using of media management procedures and software. Competencies AF D AF + I Experience of dealing with issues that arise in a sensitive manner Strong written English, particularly in respect of news release and report writing. E AF + I E I + In-tray Demonstrates high levels of accuracy and attention to detail. E I + In-tray Proficient in the use of IT systems E AF + I Capacity to understand a range of higher academic subjects. D I Highly organised with good planning skills. E AF + I Able to work on own initiative. E AF Page 5 of 8 Other relevant information Occasional working outside of office hours (once per month) E AF + I e.g. shift work or weekend working, travel in UK or abroad(state approximate frequency i.e. travel abroad twice a year) **Evidence/Method of Assessment: AF = Application form G = Group Exercise I = Interview In-tray = In-tray Exercise IT = IT Test OT = Occupational Test P = Presentation PT = Psychometric Testing Q/C = Qualifications/Certificates Page 6 of 8 How to apply Complete the Sheffield Hallam University application form and email it to recruitment@shu.ac.uk. Call us on 0114 225 3950 if you have any questions about completing the form or the recruitment process. You will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date if you have been short listed. If you have not received notification from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion. Non-EU nationals We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are entitled to live and work in the UK. If a job requires highly specialist skills and qualifications we may be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to help you gain entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK from UK Visas and Immigration. Further guidance on the UK Visas and immigration Points Based System can be found at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration. You can also email the Human Resources Directorate at recruitment@shu.ac.uk. Equality and diversity drive our success Equality and diversity are essential to our academic and business strengths. We believe that excellence comes through recognising the value of each individual. We aim to create an environment that respects the value of each individual and the diversity of employees and students in the University's community. This will enable them to contribute fully, and to derive the maximum benefit and enjoyment from their involvement in University life. Positive about disability We use the symbol on the right, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. It also enables people with a disability to know which employers will be positive about their abilities. All applicants who meet the minimum criteria (based on the person specification) for a job vacancy and have declared their disability are guaranteed an interview and considered on their abilities. Stonewall Diversity Champions programme We are members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme, reinforcing both our commitment to improving the workplace culture for lesbian, gay and bisexual employees and our recognition that people perform better when they can be themselves. Stonewall recognises Sheffield Hallam as a forward thinking 21st century employer which aims to recruit, recognise, and support the very best people regardless of background. Page 7 of 8 Trade unions We are committed to working in partnership with employee representatives. You are welcome to join a trade union, professional association or employee organisation and participate in its activities. We recognise the following unions for the purposes of collective bargaining UNISON, GMB, T&GWU, UNITE, UCU. Benefits of working for us We offer generous holiday entitlements - annual leave entitlement is a minimum of 25 days (pro rata if you work part-time) and rises depending on staff group and grade. In addition to the eight standard UK bank holidays, up to six extra statutory days (a minimum of four) are provided each year for extended University closure around some UK public/holidays. We understand the need for a good work-life balance. That's why we support and operate a number of flexible working schemes including job-share and flexible working hours where applicable. We operate an incremental grade structure. This means that you will be eligible to receive an annual pay increase (subject to satisfactory performance) until your salary reaches the maximum salary for your grade. Our defined benefit pension schemes are a real asset to your peace of mind. Depending on the job you're appointed to, you will be entered into either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), or remain in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) if you are a current member. We also offer many other benefits including Travel discounts, Family Friendly Schemes, Health and Wellbeing and Training and Development opportunities for employees. For more information about the benefits available to you, visit www.shu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/documents/benefits.html Starting salaries New employees normally start at the bottom of the appropriate grade Living and working in Sheffield Sheffield is the greenest city in England. We have over 200 parks and woodlands and a third of the city is in the Peak District National Park. We have excellent rail links to all major cities and the city centre is in walking distance of both our campuses. For more information, visit www.shu.ac.uk/sheffield/ Other important information All appointments are made subject to confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory declaration of health from the occupational health consultant to make sure you are medically able to carry out the type of work involved in the post. Appointments are also subject to receipt of satisfactory references and any other checks that may be required for the role. We comply fully with requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. This requires us to tell you we will:    hold details of your name, address and the post applied for to assist the recruitment process hold the information on your equal opportunities monitoring form, to monitor the effectiveness of our policies retain records for unsuccessful applicants for one year, after which time the records are destroyed For overseas applicants we normally reimburse travel expenses from the port of entry into the UK only. Page 8 of 8