Research Communications Manager

Location: Hybrid, contractually aligned to the Milton Keynes campus. At least 1 day per week on campus is required, with additional attendance depending on business needs.

Salary: £38,784–£46,049 per year.

Company

hirify.global is a UK university focused on flexible part-time education, widening access to higher education, and research excellence.

What you will do

• Deliver high-impact external communications about the university’s research across multiple channels.
• Create narratives, key messages, grant stories, campaigns, and content for internal and external audiences.
• Produce a monthly research newsletter for LinkedIn and maintain the OU Research website with current news.
• Lead a research video or podcast series and collaborate with faculties and the YouTube team on regular research videos.
• Support research-related events, showcases, leaders, academic experts, and students with communications materials.
• Work with Research and Enterprise, faculties, business units, and Research and Innovation Services to advance research communications.

Requirements

• Experience in external communications, content creation, and multi-channel campaigns.
• Experience contributing to integrated paid, earned, shared, and owned communications campaigns.
• Strong written, spoken, interpersonal, and communications skills, with the ability to deliver accurately under tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and priorities within a complex organisation.
• Experience supporting academics in explaining complex research projects to broad audiences.
• Experience using research outputs creatively and reporting on the effectiveness of research communications.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible working options include hybrid work, job sharing, part-time hours, compressed hours, and other arrangements.
• Benefits are provided to recognise and reward employees and support work-life balance.
• The role is offered as a fixed-term contract ending 30 April 2027.

Hiring process

• Applicants must submit a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 1,000 words.
• Shortlisted candidates are expected to interview on 8 and 9 October.
• Applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the vacancy may close early.