Media Relations Officer

Grade and Salary: Grade 6, £31,236 - £36,636 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday - Flexible working options available

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Organisation Name: Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Communications (MRAC)

Purpose Of Role

To implement and drive the Communications Team strategy and deliver the outputs of the operational plan and day-to-day functions. To develop and implement external communications campaigns to support the University’s media and communication objectives. The main purpose of this role is to support and promote University research, education and partnerships to media outlets and external stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally. The role holder will be the port of call for journalist queries and for staff seeking advice on communications issues and utilise best practice in communications to maximise the University’s reputation across all channels.

Key Duties And Responsibilities:

1. Manage relationships with the media and stakeholders effectively to proactively promote the University and safeguard its reputation
2. Develop content to maximise the reach, influence and levels of engagement with strategically important stories
3. Work with the Corporate Communications Manager and the wider Communication Team to strategically plan and promote the University research, education and business activities to external stakeholders
4. Work proactively with press and communication colleagues, academics, and professional services staff to identify and promote stories on the University’s strategic priorities
5. Place University stories in the regional, trade, national and international media as well as supporting social media content and campaigns
6. Produce regular media, social media and external communication reports to develop and enhance the overall communications strategy
7. Develop strong relationships with key journalists, social media contacts and external stakeholders relating to the University’s external communications strategy
8. Respond to incoming media calls about University activities and arranging media interviews for academics and university staff
9. Manage and log incoming media enquiries across a diverse range of subjects
10. Work in collaboration with communications and marketing colleagues in our Dubai and Malaysia campuses
11. Contribute to other University public relation activities as required e.g. events, speeches, presentations, publications, internal communications, website and social media content, logistics for video shoots, budget monitoring, administrative tasks such as planning and writing reports, institutional submissions to national and international awards
12. Perform other reasonable duties as required by the University

Education, Qualifications & Experience:

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be based.

Essential Experience

1. University Degree or equivalent relevant experience
2. Prior experience of working in a press office, public affairs team or similar environment
3. Evidence of creating media strategies and communications campaign plans
4. Experience and passion for creating a range of written content
5. Experience of working with content management systems
6. Experience of working in a team and leading on own initiative
7. Knowledge of industry best practices

Essential Skills

1. Excellent written and oral communication skills
2. Ability to translate key messages into a compelling narrative
3. Ability to work autonomously and effectively under pressure and to deadlines
4. Ability to make decisions and prioritise workloads and requests on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
5. Ability to think creatively and to communicate creative ideas to others
6. Excellent attention to detail and quality of work
7. Ability to work across teams
8. A ‘can do’ attitude and a great problem solver
9. Ability to influence colleagues both upwards and laterally
10. Experience of using digital platforms (web, social media) to amplify coverage
11. The ability to use edit web pages using a content management system
12. Sound organisational skills
13. Ability to use MS ‘Office’ applications

Desirable

1.Professional qualifications in media, public relations or public affairs

2.Knowledge of Higher Education

3.Experience of writing stories for national and particularly international media

4. Experience of creating digital and social media content including video

This job description is intended as a flexible framework which outlines the key general areas of activity in your position. Other activities may be required which are not outlined above but which are appropriate to the position and grade. Your personal objectives (Forward Job Plan) will also set out specific tasks and objectives for you to achieve, including objectives to help your career development.

About our School/Directorate and Team: The Marketing, Student Recruitment, Admissions and Communications Group is at the heart of attracting, engaging, and delivering exceptional student and stakeholder experiences. From award-winning marketing campaigns to local and global student recruitment initiatives, and communications that put Heriot-Watt on the global stage, our Group delivers professional services that support the University’s strategic ambitions.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday 03 November 2025.

Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.