The opportunity
University of the Arts London (UAL) is seeking a dynamic Head of Social Media and Digital Communications parental leave cover to lead the transformation of our online presence. This pivotal role is part of the leadership community within UAL’s newly integrated Communications function, located in our Social Purpose Group. You will shape and deliver a unified digital and social media strategy that reflects UAL’s vision as a social purpose university while enhancing engagement with our diverse audiences, including students, staff, alumni, and external stakeholders.
In this exciting new position, you will oversee all UAL social media channels including our colleges and institutes channels and key parts of the UAL website, including vital course pages, UAL stories and campaign pages for our graduate shows, leveraging data-driven insights, fostering active audience engagement, and ensuring alignment with UAL’s strategic goals and our ten-year strategy. Working collaboratively with the Head of Content (who oversees creative content generation) and internal teams and colleges, you will amplify UAL’s brand, elevate our global reputation, and ensure our digital platforms resonate with authenticity, creativity, and inclusivity.
About you
You will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record in leading impactful digital and social media strategies within large and complex organisations. You will bring a deep understanding of emerging trends, analytics, SEO, and audience engagement, paired with the creativity and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Passionate about social purpose, you will champion UAL’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring our channels fosters a sense of belonging across all communities. Your leadership experience equips you to inspire and manage teams while building strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
You will lead on creating and implementing a comprehensive digital and social media strategy to support UAL’s goals, optimising channels for audience engagement, brand visibility, and strategic growth.
You will oversee an audit of existing social media channels and web pages, rationalising where necessary and identifying areas for growth and development, redefining how we reach new and existing audiences and cultivating a thriving online community.
Working closely with colleagues in Content, PR and Media Relations, Creative and Brand you will lead on developing and manage KPIs, providing regular insights into the effectiveness of strategies and optimising content based on audience engagement and feedback.
You will lead a high-performing team, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit in line with UAL’s values.
We are UAL
University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.
Our culture
We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to be members of the Race Equality Charter (REC) and Business Disability Forum, are a Disability Confident Scheme Committed and Living Wage employer and maintain our status as a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
Application process
We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.
We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.
Candidates are advised to submit applications early.
Vacancy Id: 11458
College / Service: Social Purpose
Location: Hybrid – UAL High Holborn/Home
Salary: £59,228.00 - £71,326.00 per annum
Contract: Fixed Term
Term: Full time – 35 hours per week
by: 15 January 2025 at 23:55
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