Communications Officer - Dubai Campus

The Communications, Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions Group is at
the heart of attracting, engaging and delivering exceptional student and
stakeholder experiences. From award-winning marketing campaigns, global
student recruitment activities, and communications that put Heriot-Watt on the
global stage, our Group delivers professional services that support the
University's strategic ambitions. We are recruiting for a Communications
Officer to join our Dubai Campus Team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:

* Collaborate with key stakeholders to plan, develop and implement an effective and proactive communications strategy based on our target audience and business goals. Should support and promote company goals, including message development, social media content creation, internal communications and media outreach.
* To plan and create content (both internal and external) to support all courses, the University and marketing campaigns to raise awareness and build reputation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent copy editing and
proofreading skills
* : should be capable of writing, editing, and distributing content, including opinion pieces, expert comments, Q&A, press releases, website content, newsletters and other marketing material that communicates our activities, products and/or services.
* Should engage with University stakeholders effectively in order to be able to identify suitable news opportunities and leverage them as appropriate. He/she will ensure delivery of frequent, relevant, interesting and engaging content to our target audiences.
Maintains awareness of industry news and events. Should keep track of industry
news and developments and provide insights and advice for HW
* 's communications strategy based on the same.
* Work closely with leaders and executives to support employee engagement activities, as well as offer counsel and guidance when necessary.
* Should be able to respond to media inquiries, arrange interviews, and draft materials on behalf of spokespeople.
* Should establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists, keep track of industry movements and maintain a media database.
* Proactively seek opportunities to enhance the reputation of the brand, and coordinate publicity events as required.
* Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics, create reports and be able to showcase results.
Proficiency in design and publishing software
* : should put together weekly and monthly staff newsletters.
* Lead contributor for the weekly and monthly internal newsletters, writing and maintaining content as well as ensuring relevance, timeliness and effective alignment with strategic goals.
* Develops copy for a variety of communication materials including brochures, reports and any other material as required from time to time.
* Should develop and maintain relationships with Media, and effectively secure coverage in these channels.
* Should be able to utilize social media channels to effectively showcase outcomes that boost the brand image of the University.
* Assists with the timely planning and delivery of communications projects for the Marketing team as required.
Also responsible for other administrative marketing related tasks which may
crop up from time to time.
*
Education, Qualifications & Experience:

Essential
Bachelor
* 's degree at a minimum
* Excellent copywriting skills as role calls for content creation
* Some experience of working within a similar environment
* Basic computer skills
* ‎6-‎8 years of experience
* Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment. Must be proactive, capable of multitasking and working with deadlines and schedules
* Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation
* Ability to research, analyse and present information effectively with good attention to detail
* Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment
Demonstrable professional and proactive approach
*
Desirable
* Experience of working in Higher Education
* Past experience in Internal Communications
Some experience in utilizing social media platforms
*
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.
The appointment is conditional upon successful completion of all Labour and
Immigration formalities.