Communications Officer

Association of Commonwealth Universities

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
12 month

About the Organisation

ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the higher education sector. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 400 universities in over 40 countries. Championing the power of higher education to improve lives, we support our members and our people in contributing to sustainable development across the Commonwealth and beyond.

The ACU has managed international scholarship schemes for nearly 60 years, including for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), which offers postgraduate study and professional development opportunities funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and other government departments.

About the role

Communications is key to ensuring that internal and external stakeholders understand the breadth and impact of the CSC’s work. The Communications Officer, as a key business partner for CSC, will raise the profile of the CSC through supporting the delivery of its communications strategy.

Responsibilities

Communications Officer:

• Act as a business partner for CSC, planning, delivering, and editing content that is engaging and tailored to its target audience
• Editing content for maximum impact and accuracy, in line with house style guidelines, and to ensure that it is appropriate for its target audience
• Developing, managing, and updating content on the CSC website
• Maintaining the CSC’s social media channels
• Creating email newsletters
• Marketing student and alumni events and communicating proceedings/outcomes
• Planning and delivering integrated marketing campaigns for key activities

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including writing for and understanding of different audiences and channels, and sensitivity for different cultural contexts, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Experience in editing and proofreading content.
• Experience of editing digital content for multiple platforms and channels, e.g. websites, social media.
• Experience in achieving impact and engagement through multichannel communications campaigns.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
• Working for an organisation with social impact, with the opportunity to make a difference.
• Opportunity to build your career with extensive training and development opportunities.
• Ability to be flexible to respond quickly to shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• Proficiency in the use of Canva graphic design software.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of Umbraco and/WordPress CMS systems, and Civi and Microsoft Dynamics CRM systems.  
• Interest in/experience of the higher education sector and international development.  
• Experience in staff engagement and internal communications.
• Developing an organisation-wide intranet.

Values:

• Strive to excel in all we do, and continuously reflect on our work to find new ways forward.
• Believe that cooperation and sharing ideas make us stronger.
• Encourage people to think differently, be curious, and explore new ideas.
• Treat others in the way we would like to be treated – with fairness, integrity, and generosity.
• Value difference and encourage and celebrate the diverse voices of our colleagues and partners.

Required Qualifications

• Text

Compensation & Benefits

• 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata - part-time employees) and 4 Christmas closure days
• Generous pension scheme, 5% employee contribution
• 10% employer contribution 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Significant investment in your personal and professional development
• Regular social activities
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Give as you earn charitable donations scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free travel season ticket loan

Conditions of employment

• You need to be eligible to work in the UK 

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Must travel within the UK and overseas

How to apply

• Apply via our recruitment portal, submitting your CV (maximum 2 pages) and online application form (maximum 1000 words) outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria for the role. Please include your motivation for applying.
• If you have questions about this job or would like further information, contact: [email protected]

Interviews

• The interview will be held on 16th June 2025. Interviews will take place virtually via MS Teams.

Policies

ACU aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation (defined as Protected Characteristics in the UK Equality Act 2010). In addition, no job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment in regard to neurodiversity, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, accent or socio-economic background. We positively encourage applications from any underrepresented groups

Return to listing