The organisation

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UCL is one of the world's top universities. It is London’s global university: distinctively committed to working at the frontiers between disciplines and cross-disciplinary approaches to global problems, while also pursuing disciplinary excellence in its own right. Based in the heart of London, it is a modern, outward-looking institution.

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The opportunity

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This role sits in the Vice-President External Engagement’s communications team.  The post-holder will act as a key interface between UCL’s central communications function and the rest of the university, particularly the work of Office of the Vice-President Operations and the functions within it, and UCL East – the university’s largest campus expansion in 200 years.

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Reporting to the Head of Communications, the Deputy Head will help lead a skilled team of communications staff to engage and communicate with UCL’s audiences effectively, with a particular focus on engaging the internal audiences of academics, professional staff, leaders and students.

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Main responsibilities

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• Provide management, support and direction to the team of skilled communications staff, fostering a positive, pro-active and supportive culture
• Ensure a high profile for UCL’s successes including working with the team to deliver news stories, engagement campaigns and case-studies and coordinate the effective dissemination of key communications messages to target audiences
• Proactively contribute to the writing and editing of internal and external communications, including copy for web, emails and other digital and printed materials, with consideration of style, tone and content
• Use a strategic approach to planning including developing an annual content calendar and triaging priorities from different areas to align with the main narrative about UCL’s work
• Build relationships of trust as a senior point of contact for leadership, ongoing and honest conversation, and to act as counsel on impactful communications.
• Deputise for the Head of Communications, and Director of Communications, as appropriate.

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Key skills and experience required

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• Demonstrated experience in internal communications, corporate communications or stakeholder engagement, gained in a complex stakeholder environment
• Line management experience: supervising and guiding the work of colleagues and delivering impact against strategic objectives
• Extensive experience of and aptitude for writing, editing and proofreading content and communications for different audience voices
• Experience in exercising strong judgement and awareness of the context within which UCL operates and its institutional objectives and strategies
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and discretion, and the ability to liaise with staff and external individuals at any level of seniority
• Initiative, creativity, energy and enthusiasm, as well as excellent time management and organisational skills, and the ability to work efficiently on numerous projects simultaneously.

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Please apply below by submitting a covering letter and CV in one document.

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Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

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Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.