Communications Assistant – Dubai Campus

Purpose of Role The purpose of this role is to assist with all external and internal communications duties as required by the communications officer. The Communications Assistant is responsible for media outreach, extensive content writing,  assisting with participation at media events, and distributing content to promote the Heriot-Watt brand and activities. The post holder will support our internal and external communications strategy, write and disseminate publicity material, and coordinate events.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Work alongside the communication officer to support 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 media content to support courses part of the specified schools under the University to raise awareness and build brand reputation. This is to be done under the supervision of the communications officer.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent copy editing and proofreading skills – should be capable of writing, editing, and distributing content, including opinion pieces, briefing documents, expert comments, Q&A, press releases, newsletters and other marketing material that communicates our activities, products and/or services.
• Assist the communications officer with engaging University stakeholders effectively in order to be able to identify suitable news opportunities and leverage them as appropriate. He/she will ensure the 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.
• If requested by the communications officer negotiate with suppliers regarding prices and deliveries to increase financial efficiency
• Should be able to respond to media inquiries, arrange interviews, and draft materials on behalf of spokespeople with approvals from the communications officer.
• Should establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists, keep track of industry movements and maintain a media database.
• Assist communications officer in coordinating speaking opportunities and also seek opportunities to position faculty and management as spokespeople.
• Maintain records of media coverage through the media monitoring service.
• Assists with the timely planning and delivery of communications projects for the Marketing team as required.
• Assist with content writing for the global newsletter.
• Assist with research and collation of data for internal documents.
• Also responsible for other administrative marketing related tasks which may crop up from time to time.

Education, Qualifications & Experience: 

Essential

1. Bachelor’s degree at a minimum
2. Excellent copywriting skills, as the role calls for extensive content creation
3. Some experience of working within a similar environment
4. Basic computer skills
5. 3-5 years of experience
6. 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
7. Ability to research, analyse and present information effectively with good attention to detail
8. Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment
9. Demonstrable professional and proactive approach

Desirable

1. Experience of working in Higher Education
2. Past experience in Internal Communications
3. Some experience in utilizing social media platforms

Special Factors (relevant to the specific role)

• Will very rarely be required to work at weekends or out of hours 
• Will very rarely be required to travel nationally/internationally