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Executive Director of Communications

Shape our success

Embark on an exciting journey as the Executive Director of Communications at the University of Southampton—a dynamic institution where passion, innovation, and talent unite to shape the future. We are seeking an exceptional individual to be the visionary communications leader who will tell the story of our remarkable work.

This is an exciting time to join the University of Southampton, a global top 100 university with strengths across education, research, and knowledge exchange. We are embracing ambitious and dynamic growth plans, our strategyintegrates research, education, and knowledge exchange and enterprise, advancing our goals with a commitment to placing our people at the core of everything we do. This distinctive approach sets the stage for an exciting journey at Southampton.

About the role

This position plays a central role in enhancing our global influence, leading the development of creative approaches to share the University’s stories and news, developing a robust communications strategic plan aligned with the University’s Strategy, and fostering a strong sense of unity within our community.

With a direct reporting line to the Vice-President (Operations) and close collaboration with the Vice-Chancellor and University Executive Board, this position is both multifaceted and pivotal.

About you

You will be an experienced communications specialist able to operate at board level and think strategically.  You will be credible and quickly gain the confidence of senior colleagues as you craft and implement a robust communications and media engagement plan that tells the University’s story in alignment with organisational goals. In this role, you will enhance and oversee our reputation, adeptly navigating high-profile and sensitive issues, to which you will bring your insights into how issues play out externally and appropriate responses that we might take to them.

Your leadership skills will stand out as you guide a team of communications specialists, fostering collaboration and ensuring our communications seamlessly support business priorities.

What we can offer you

We support a flexible approach to work and additional benefits that will make your life easier, such as access to private dental and/or healthcare insurance and a generous holiday allowance. We will support your long-term future with access to the University’s Superannuation Scheme (USS), subsidised health and fitness facilities, and various discounts.

We welcome applications from all walks of life and champion a uniquely diverse working environment where every colleague can excel, regardless of their background or life choices. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a diverse environment. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications that will continue to strengthen the diversity of our executive management team.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and are immensely proud to have our institutional Athena SWAN silver award renewed, which underpins our pledge to improve equality for women. We are also delighted to have received the Race Equality Charter bronze award from Advance HE, which recognises that we have a solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students. We work with our people to ensure their ideas are always heard, and we invite you to share your background and life experiences with us to help us create a truly unique working environment.     

If you want to take your career to new heights and believe you have the skills, experience, and drive to help shape the future of the University of Southampton, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Join us and be the voice that echoes our commitment to making a difference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWT8aye88s

How to apply   

For more information and details on how to apply, please email TalentEdu at southampton@talentedu.co.uk or call 0203 290 2907.

Important dates   

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight (GMT) on Thursday, 14 March.

Successful longlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual engagement day on Monday, 15 April; the final stage of in-person interviews is scheduled for Wednesday, 1 May.