Media and Communications Officer (Social Sciences) (111055-1225)

About The Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Kat Beauchamp Communications Manager (Media Relations) at katherine.beauchamp@warwick.ac.uk Responsible for a wide range of communications activities for the University to promote our world-leading research, through the delivery of high-quality content in digital, broadcast and print media. This role requires a skilled communications officer with experience of pitching stories to the media. The role will lead on specific strategic communication projects and will also act as the communications advisor on a number of key workstreams, including, but not limited to, social sciences research, STEM related content and research and information from the School of Life Sciences, Warwick Institute of Employment Research and Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies. You will need to be a confident communicator as building relationships with internal and external stakeholders is a key part of this role.

About You

To plan and deliver highly effective external proactive communications, including through research and education, with target audiences globally through digital, broadcast, and print media. You will proactively develop and implement creative media relations plans in line with institutional priorities, including establishing objectives, messaging, understanding of audience, understanding of context, use of appropriate channels, and mechanisms to evaluate outcomes. You also will undertake horizon-scanning to identify content creation and news distribution opportunities. This will entail producing media relations content to maximise audience engagement. Content will include, but not be limited to: press releases, media packs, broadcast opportunities, feature writing, and digital assets. You will produce this yourself or in collaboration with the wider team and/or external agencies. Work with academic departments and the leadership team to understand their priorities and coordinate media relations content in alignment with the University’s communications strategy. Provide support to departments to enable them to tell their stories in creative and engaging ways. Advise academics and professionals on media relations good practice, broadcast skills, brand guidelines, and institutional narrative to ensure consistency of messaging. Lead on or contribute to specific communications projects and campaigns to support key strategic objectives, motivating and developing cross-functional teams to deliver results. Actively supporting institutional preparedness for effective crisis communications via an out of hours rota. Evaluating performance, tracking progress against KPIs and delivering communication analytics reports to key stakeholders internally where required. Development and maintenance of relationships with journalists and news outlets relevant and valuable to the University and allocated portfolio departments. Working in a cross-functional team across MCI, proactively contributing to and shaping marketing and communications projects and campaigns to support strategic objectives using an assigned budget and motivating and developing teams to deliver results.

Operational

The post holder will take direction from the management team but will be expected to manage their own work and priorities and act independently to clear parameters, updating and calling for advice/support when needed.

Communication

The post holder will need to persuade journalists to engage with the University’s stories and academic expertise. Internally, the post holder will need to be able to influence colleagues and staff on media relations approaches and to help individuals to prepare for effective media engagement.

Other Information

The post holder will need to be available to support early morning filming and interviews as well as weekend filming and interviews on an occasional basis. This responsibility is shared across the team. Post holder will be expected to be part of an on-call rota for weekend/evenings cover.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

About The Department

This role sits within the Corporate Communications team. The Corporate Communications team is responsible for promoting and protecting the reputation of the University of Warwick, and our brand. The team elevates and amplifies our research, education, achievements and impact – whether that’s internally to our staff, or to a global audience. Comprised of media, communications, digital and marketing experts, it is an exciting team to be a part of. The Corporate Communications team sits within the wider Marketing, Communications, Insight & Student Recruitment team. The team carefully communicates important messages around our excellent education and research, and innovative partnerships. The team provides expertise in campaign creation, multi-channel communications, market research, web development, and more. This broad base of professional skills and knowledge ensures the University is represented through compelling, creative, and consistent messaging and content, always keeping our varied audiences in mind.

About The University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106 th in the world and 8th in the UK. Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/. World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025 Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time) To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave). For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Start Date: To be confirmed

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including An attractive pension scheme. 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure. Generous parental/adoption leave policy. Onsite childcare facilities. Excellent learning and development opportunities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here. We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick. Find out more about our awards and accreditations. We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD Media and Communications Officer (Social Sciences) (111055).pdf – 207KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.