Marketing and Communications Manager

About Hull University Students' Union

Hull Students' Union is here to make a difference to the student experience at the University of Hull. We are dedicated to empowering students, creating engaging experiences, and championing their voices. We are a diverse and vibrant team committed to supporting the needs of our students, and we need someone who can help us communicate our vision and values effectively.

The Role:

As the Marketing and Communications Manager, you will lead the development and execution of our marketing and communications plans, driving engagement with students and the wider community. You’ll oversee our digital platforms, social media, campaigns, and internal communications, ensuring that our messages are impactful and reach the right audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communication plans.
• Lead on content creation, including social media, email marketing, and print materials.
• Manage the Students' Union's brand and ensure consistency across all channels.
• Analyse marketing performance, using data to optimise campaigns and measure success.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver effective student-focused campaigns and events.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on all marketing and communications-related projects.
• Oversee media relations and external communications to raise the profile of Hull University Students' Union.

About You:

• You have significant experience in marketing and communications, with a strong understanding of digital platforms and social media.
• You are a creative thinker who can develop engaging content and innovative campaigns.
• You are highly organised, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• You possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You are confident in managing teams and collaborating across departments to achieve shared goals

Why Hull University Students' Union?

• Be part of an exciting and dynamic charity that makes a difference to students’ lives.
• Enjoy a supportive, inclusive, and friendly work culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Generous holiday allowance and other benefits.

If you’re looking to make an impact and bring fresh, creative ideas to a vibrant, student-led organisation, we’d love to hear from you!

Reports to; Chief Executive Officer

Direct  reports:  Managers are expected to have between 2-6 direct reports. There may be additional Student Staff/Interns during the Academic year.

Budget responsibility: Managers are designated budget holders and have responsibility as set out in the Financial delegation’s policy.

​About the Role 

Service Delivery

• To lead a team that deliver effective, impactful, tailored communications that is well researched, resourced, planned and reviewed; supporting all departments across HUSU and HUSUS Ltd to promote their services to members and customers.
• To support HUUS Ltd in marketing to drive increased revenue.
• To organise, lead and participate in cross department project teams to support HUSU campaigns and development activities.
• To work with all departments to lead Freshers, the annual festival of welcome for all students at the University of Hull ensuring all members are appropriately welcomed to Hull with a programme of events and activities that are promoted to students across all years of study.
• To work with all relevant departments and the student body to realise successful events i.e. End of Year events, Varsity and any other significant events brought by the Presidents.
• To lead the marketing team in promoting our annual elections ensuring that set priorities for elections are met.
• To develop and lead operational marketing plans annually.
• Organise effective, streamlined systems and services for graphic, print and film production.
• Organise and lead development of the content management of the Union’s Web presence working with colleagues from all departments.
• To develop our expertise in the use of segmentation, data and targeted communication using the Student Union Management System. (SUMS)
• Ensure that resources are effectively allocated and managed to match the needs of the Students’ Union.

Reporting and Information Management and Compliance

• Using our Student Surveying process and other tools, measure the response, impact to key campaigns e.g. Freshers Hull.
• To present relevant board reports to the Board of Trustees, Committees, Union Council and other meetings as required.
• Ensure all external facing materials (print and online) are within regulatory compliance standards.
• Review materials and support tools and monitoring copyright and GDPR policies.

Team Working and Relationships

• To provide day-to-day management, support and development of the marketing team, setting and agreeing performance targets and enabling them to achieve their best through effective recruitment, development, recognition, and performance management.
• To support Presidents in their roles and interactions with Staff Students, the University and wider community. Work closely with the Presidents to support their activism, campaigns and representation work.
• To develop and deliver marketing and public relations training to the Presidents
• Working with Management colleagues to ensure that all departments marketing and communication needs are considered and supported.
• To manage relationships with our Advertising and Commercial marketing partners in relation to Freshers and at other key points throughout the year.
• Build effective relationships within HUSU, the University of Hull including across the University Marketing, Communications and Internal Communications.
• To develop and maintain effective relationships with external key stakeholders both locally and nationally.
• To develop and maintain effective relationships with local, national, industry and student media to ensure positive coverage for HUSU.

General duties and responsibilities

• To act as adviser to all Trustees on interactions with local, national and student media, ensuring an appropriate response to requests.
• To ensure that personal knowledge and skills are updated to ensure effectiveness in meeting work objectives.
• To maintain an up to date knowledge of marketing best practice, monitoring industry trends and developments, both within the students’ union movement and externally, and to recommend the introduction of new initiatives and communications methods.
• Ensure confidentiality at all times in the handling and dissemination of information and data, and embedding and implementing GDPR across the workload.
• Carry out all duties in line with Student Union policies, vision, values and strategic aims.
• Ensure the Health and Safety policy and procedures are followed at all times.
• Maintain an active awareness of issues and practice in Students’ Unions nationally in order to build on good practice and identify trends, innovation and development opportunities.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required from time to time under the overall scope of the role.

About You

Essential

Qualifications & Training

• Degree in a related subject or equivalent experience

Experience

• Experience of leading a team
• Experience of writing, and managing a budget
• Experience of building and developing stakeholder/client relationships
• Project management experience
• Public relations experience
• Experience of delivery Presentations

Skills/Ability/Knowledge

• Effective report writing
• Analytical skills
• Creative problem solving
• Flexible, postive approach
• Effective networking
• Good interpersonal skills​

Desirable

Qualifications & Training

• Marketing and or Communications qualification

Experience

• Experience of managing a team within a marketing and communications environment
• Experience of designing and delivering training

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of  27 days plus bank holidays and a further 3 statutory days to be taken between Christmas and New Year.

• Cycle 2 work scheme
• Health Cash Plan through BHSF
• Free Eye Test Vouchers
• On- site parking at minimal cost
• One day paid Volunteering day
• All staff event days
• Access to Headspace
• Discount in our SPAR shop, Wetherspoon Sanctuary and The Asylum plus opportunity for free tickets to events.

We are committed to ensuring our workforce accurately reflects the diversity of the world we live in.  We positively encourage applications from all individuals irrespective of gender, age, home country, ethnic background, sexuality, religious beliefs or disability.

All candidates will be treated equally and all appointments made on merit.

For further information or for details of how to apply please click 'Apply' to be directed to Hull SU's website.

Closing date: 17th January 2025