Social Media Manager

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department

Durham University has an ambitious ten-year strategy (2017-2027) to achieve its objectives of becoming world-leading in research, teaching and the wider student experience. Successful implementation of the strategy is in part dependent on our approach to promoting the University in respect of: 

• Prospective applicants to our programmes of study;
• Potential partners in teaching and research;
• Current and potential collaborators in business and industry;
• Current and future alumni;
• Potential employers of our graduates;
• National and international policymakers and influencers.
• The over-arching ambition is to achieve a step-change in awareness and reputation of Durham University globally.

Working alongside the Web and Digital Senior Manager and Head of Marketing, the Social Media Manager will be responsible for using insight and data to develop a social media strategy which supports our objectives of targeted recruitment and enhancing reputation. The purpose of this role is to plan, manage, monitor, report on, analyse and optimise our corporate social media channels, whilst increasing brand awareness and developing positive social interactions. The successful candidate will also have to be both proactive and responsive in terms of content creation and engagement with our social media audiences, as well as developing communities of good practice across social media accounts outside of the marketing team remit.  

The role will sit within the Marketing and Communications Office (Web & Digital team) and report directly to the Senior Marketing Manager (Web & Digital). The responsibility of the Marketing and Communications Office is to develop and deliver, amongst others: 

• Marketing our programmes to and assisting with the recruitment of home and international students;
• Promotion of the University to and managing engagement with multiple stakeholders and influencers locally, nationally and internationally;
• Promotion of the University’s brand and proactive management of its global reputation.

  The successful candidate will work within the Marketing and Communications Office in collaboration with: 

• Other colleagues within the Marketing and Communications function.
• Other colleagues within Faculties/Institutes/Professional Services and Colleges.
• Other colleagues working in overseas offices.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham 

• A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 30 Days’ annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including: money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:
 

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Desirable Criteria

How to Apply   

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   
  
Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
  
What you need to submit   

•    A CV.
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.    

Closing date is Thursday 22nd February

 
Contact details   
  
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact:

Steve Davison, Senior Marketing Manager (Web & Digital) – [email protected] or via Microsoft Teams

Typical Role Requirements   
Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
  
• Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and Regulations.
• Manage the delivery of social media management to a high standard.
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from stakeholders or colleagues and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
  
• Work with your team to look for ways to improve processes, procedures, and techniques across all areas of your work.

Planning and Organisation

• Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the social media team, ensuring a high-quality and timely service to all stakeholders.
  
• Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your department.
  
• Review data on the level of service provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.
  
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
• Work with the wider Marketing and Communications team to manage the development and delivery of impactful digital content through relevant social media campaigns.
• Monitor and analyse social media engagement and providing reports to stakeholders.

Team Development

• Manage and monitor the performance, workload and expected outcomes of social media management and take action to respond anything that impacts on the service level provided.
• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
• Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
• Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and delivering any training needs.
• Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services.

Communication/Liaison

• Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
• Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Coordinate and oversee committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
• Update policies, procedures, processes, or guidance in response to any internal or external changes.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Contribute to a community of practice and share tips and best practice for maximising social media engagement – educate other staff or colleagues on the use of social media and promote best practice.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Specific Role Requirements

• The role is based in Durham but travel in the UK and, where appropriate, overseas, will be required to deliver projects, take part in training and to build and maintain networks.
• We operate a flexible (hybrid) working environment, with a balance between remote and office working.
• Will be required to provide support for the University’s Major Incident Response Plan and major reputational incidents during and out of office hours, including participating in a 24/7 on call rota arrangement.
• Some out of hours / evening and weekend work will be required to deliver projects and build and maintain networks.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices – Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

MATERNITY COVER 
Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.