Deputy Director, Communications

Key Roles & Responsibilities

To lead the UAS Communications Office to:

• Oversee all communications activities to build and maintain stewardship of the University’s brand and corporate identity.
• Plan, develop and implement the University’s marketing communications strategy to raise the profile of the University and strengthen its position as a leading arts tertiary education institution in the region. This will include consulting and working with relevant stakeholders to initiate and produce the full spectrum of online and offline materials, including but not limited to recruitment campaigns, collateral, digital and content marketing and institutional events marketing.
• Supervise the development, maintenance and optimisation of the University’s corporate websites, and digital media assets such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for the University.
• Act as the University’s corporate spokesperson and respond to members of media and public in a timely manner, develop and distribute press releases and other communications material as needed.
• Formulate, implement, and steward the communications budget for the University.
• Supervise the development and implementation of policies to enhance and improve the operational efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the communications processes within the Office.

This is a supervisory role. The incumbent will be working with the University’s senior leadership and reports to the Chief Operating Officer and onwards to the Vice-Chancellor.

• Extensive relevant experience in public relations/corporate communications in a large organisation or Public Relations consultancy, including in a senior supervisory role in established medium-sized/large institutions. Sound knowledge of collateral production practices.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, quantitative as well as written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work well independently as well as in teams within tight timelines.
• Resourceful, keen eye for detail, a good sense of perspective and intellectual curiosity.
• Strong interest in developments in higher education and the arts.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, action-focused, and willing to explore new ideas.