CDT in DRIVE-Health Communications and Engagement Officer

at  Kings College London

Job id: 086467. Salary: £37,332 - £42,099 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 08 April 2024. Closing date: 29 April 2024.
Business unit: Research Management & Innovation. Department: Centre for Doctoral Studies.
Contact details: Oksana Kasyutich. oksana.kasyutich@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Denmark Hill Campus / Guy’s Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.
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Job description
Building on the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Data-Driven Healthcare (DRIVE-Health; DRIVE-Health.org.uk) four-year pilot, the new EPSRC CDT in DRIVE-Health will train a minimum of 85 PhD students in health data science over five cohorts in the next 8 years. Co-created with NHS Trusts, national and international industry and charity partners, DRIVE-Health will deliver impactful research to enable health data science and tech skills for the future.
This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape and manage DRIVE-Health communication strategies and initiatives to effectively engage with various stakeholders including NHS partners, patient groups and major tech and life sciences partners.
The Communications and Engagement Manager sits within the Core Management team (Co-Directors, Training Lead, Scientific Themes Leadership Team, Clinical Lead, and PPI and Engagement Lead). The primary focus of this role is to advise on and provide high-quality communications to internal and external audiences; and to oversee the day-to-day operational activities underpinning our Centre engagement strategy.
The successful candidate will be working proactively across faculties to find opportunities where communications and engagement activities can add value and support the key objectives of DRIVE-Health, its people, students and the wider research ecosystem (the public, our industry partners, NHS Trusts, other EPSRC CDTs, etc.). Reporting to the CDT Manager, you will advise and support the Core Management team in its key communications objectives and oversee the delivery of effective internal and external communications.
The post will need strong verbal and written communication skills and be able to collaborate with a range of stakeholders. Experience in creating and developing engaging content across a range of platforms and understanding communications and brand risks is essential. Experience or an interest in creating video and audio content is desirable.
Contributing to our engagement and impact programme the candidate will project-manage events from student open days through to large conferences. They will also coordinate public engagement events and training, professional networking, digital events and other engagement projects in line with DRIVE-Health’s internal and external engagement strategy and business objectives.
The successful candidate will assist with setting up, monitoring and managing contracts with industry partners and collaborators; including, chasing outstanding signatures and filing contracts executed by the RMID team, providing guidance, seeking contracts advice – referring matters to other members of the team where appropriate and necessary – and updating and closing off records as they are finalised.
This is an exciting opportunity for candidates who are passionate about communications and who wish to utilise their skills and expertise in project management.
This post is offered as a full-time post but we are happy to talk about part-time, job-share and other flexible working options.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their right to work in the UK via another means.
This post is a full-time contract until 30th September 2032
Key responsibilities
Communications Management
Advise and work with the Core Management Team and CDT Manager, ensuring that DRIVE-Health communications are targeted, timely and relevant, promoting and raising awareness of the Centre.
Manage the Centre’s communication channels, ensuring effective dissemination of areas of strategic importance (i.e. training activities, events, student recruitment, EDI initiatives, research outputs, etc.), including Centre social media accounts, internal and external content , email messaging (including mailing lists) and virtual engagement/collaboration platforms (such as MS Teams).
Lead the development, implementation and management of the Centre’s monthly newsletter. This involves gathering and drafting newsletter content ensuring a streamlined approach to all content.
Work with relevant partners and King’s central services to maintain and update the Centre webpage and ensure that content is coherent and consistent. This includes the development of a web content calendar and updates to blog pages where necessary.
Collaborate with relevant partners to develop clear and aesthetic graphics for events, social media, posters, symposia and website, adhering to King’s branding, style and accessibility guidelines.
Work with the Centre for Doctoral Studies and King’s faculties Communication teams to (a) maximise opportunities for content and media engagement, (b) gather information for dissemination, and (c) build the reputation of the Centre within the University.
Engagement Strategy
Work closely with Co-Directors and relevant partners, developing effective working relationships with external stakeholders and proactively seeking new opportunities for external partner engagement.
Provide administrative support for designated areas of work and activities with the Research Management and Innovation team (grants and contracts), which may include the provision of specific administrative support to the Partnerships Development Director.
Manage high-quality internal and external events and meetings, including Industry Advisory Board meetings, annual DRIVE-Health conferences, student-led public engagement activities (including projects in partnership with ‘use My data’ patients, relatives and carers movement), and coordinate public engagement training (Science Gallery London) to explore the public views and values on health data science.
Support the development and logistics of cohort-building activities to facilitate networking and student cohesion; open days, student recruitment and marketing events.
Work closely with the CDT Administrator to (a) coordinate the Vacation Internships scheme for UG students from under-represented backgrounds student placements, (b) manage research visits with Industry and other partners, and (c) organise the annual partner engagement evening.
In partnership with the CDT team, take responsibility for the delivery of CEDI, wellbeing and engagement activities.
Manage and monitor all finance-related communications and engagement activities (including raising purchase orders, ensuring invoices are paid, retrieving reports from the King’s financial system and liaising with suppliers’ enquiries).
Undertake other activities, as directed by the CDT Manager and the Core Management Team as appropriate.
Participate in Centre, campus and university-wide events where possible and as required, which may include some out-of-hours work.
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria
1. Educated to degree level.
2. Professional experience developing and managing marketing campaigns, internal and external communications, public relations activities, website maintenance, social media, and/or event organisation.
3. Excellent writing skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrable ability to generate content and to communicate research outputs to a variety of audiences.
4. Experience of designing and developing engaging, targeted content and messages suitable for use across all channels. Knowledge and understanding of web content production and creating and managing social media channels within a content management system and/or use of HTML.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build productive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
6. An understanding of event management and the commitment to working collaboratively to ensure a smooth running of events such as conferences, workshops, student placements and complex multi-faceted events in an academic environment.
8. Capable of fostering a sense of community and belonging by creating spaces and opportunities for social interaction and networking.
9. Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 including Teams, SharePoint, Word and Excel and the ability to work on new systems.
10. Able to work to deadlines, as well as a strong commitment to teamwork and a proactive approach are essential qualities.
Desirable criteria
1. Knowledge and experience of working in the higher education sector.
2. A professional qualification in marketing, sales, communications or similar.
3. A degree in Finance, Business, Entrepreneurship or similar.

Please refer the Job description for details