Our heritage as the original ‘redbrick’ is combined with one of the most compelling and ambitious agendas in Higher Education. Quite simply, at Birmingham, we make important things happen. Birmingham is a leading member of the Russell Group and a founder member of the Universities 21 global network of research-intensive universities.

With more than 8,000 staff, 38,000 students and 350,000 alumni across the globe, we think, recruit, and compete worldwide. Ranked in the top 100 universities globally and the top 20 in all domestic league tables, the quality of what we do at Birmingham is widely recognised. We were awarded Gold in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework, and  were ranked 12^th in the UK for Research Power in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2022).

The University’s new Strategic Framework: Birmingham 2030 sets out our ambition to be a global top 50 University. This builds on the last 10 years of Birmingham’s enhanced performance in research and education, of innovation and bold, sector leading initiatives, strong finances and investment, and an enviable reputation as one of the best led and run universities in the sector.

As part of the senior management team in External Relations, and working closely with the University Executive Board, the Director of Communications and Reputation will make a significant contribution to ensuring the University successfully delivers key strategic reputation targets set out in the Framework.

External Relations is a division of 350 staff with a core budget of £26m and the Director of Communications and Reputation will lead a team of 25 people, responsible for Media Relations, Public Affairs, Research Communications, Brand, Campaigns and International Reputation, Social Media and Web Content, Stakeholder Engagement, and Internal Communications. The Director will also provide line management to the two Deputy Directors responsible for these areas as well as to the Heads of Marketing and Communications based in the University’s five Colleges, to ensure cohesive, collaborative, effective and efficient delivery of University strategic priorities across these areas.

The post holder will have strategic oversight of this diverse portfolio and will be a senior champion to drive our communications and reputation activity to help ensure long-term strategic success. It is essential that the Director is an experienced and creative leader as they will operate at a senior level within the University, working closely with the Deputy Director of External Relations (Reputation and Engagement) to develop and deliver the strategic vision across Communications and Reputation to support the new University Strategic Framework. They will also work alongside the Directors of Birmingham Global and Public Engagement and the other Directors in External Relations, as well as thematic Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Colleges, Senior Officers, and members of University Executive Board to ensure there is alignment across shared agendas around research, reputation, and engagement.

For further details, including a job description, person specification and information on how to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/, quoting reference 6040. Applications will close on Monday 26^th September at midday BST.

Location: Birmingham

Salary: Commensurate with the seniority of the role

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