Job Duties

The purpose of the Deputy Principal Communications Manager is twofold:

1. Develop and manage an outreach, PR, and information dissemination process for the Matrix Panel through the design, development, and management of digital channels and multimedia content.
2. Develop an SBRI Communications Strategy and facilitate the ongoing delivery of the Strategy. The postholder will report to the Head of Innovation Delivery Unit on this workstream.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Futures, Research and Development Unit:

• Develop and implement a wide-ranging communications plan to raise awareness and promote the work of Matrix.
• Lead delivery of a broad range of online and offline communications activities.
• Develop a coherent and sustained programme of outreach activities, e.g., oversee partnership agreements with the NI Science Festival, AI Con, etc.
• Lead and oversee the creation of innovative content and engaging digital assets for digital channels to achieve campaign objectives (existing channels include web, Mailchimp, Twitter, and LinkedIn) and online events.
• Define and communicate the organisational brand.
• Maintain and develop social media presence.
• Oversee development and management of website content, primarily designed by the Communications Officer using the WordPress Avada theme.
• Draft and distribute articles and press releases for different media, including knowledge of requirements for publication of optimised content on the internet/intranet and social media channels, including content management systems and social media dashboards.
• Manage events and press launches, including the use of event management tools such as Eventbrite.
• Prepare and administer meetings.
• Engage with Press Officers across NI government, business, and academia.
• Maintain working relationships with key internal NICS and external stakeholders.
• Project management, supporting FRDU project managers in the research and production of Matrix foresight studies and reports as necessary.
• Proactively manage personal development and assist in informing the professional development of the wider team.
• Line-management responsibility for the Communications Officer.

SBRI:

• Develop a Communications Strategy to optimise the benefits of the initiative (including potential rebranding).
• Liaise with IDU SBRI leads and delivery agents as part of the development of the strategy.
• Co-ordinate delivery of the strategy in conjunction with delivery agents.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the strategy to make improvements and seek further opportunities.
• Lead delivery of a broad range of online and offline communications activities.
• Maintain and develop social media presence.
• Produce an Annual Communications report.
• Lead and oversee the creation of innovative content and engaging digital assets for digital channels to achieve campaign objectives and online events.
• Draft and distribute articles and press releases for different media.
• Engage with Press Officers across NI government, business, and academia.
• Maintain working relationships with key internal NICS and external stakeholders.

This list is not exhaustive but gives a good indication of the main duties of the post. The emphasis on particular duties will vary over time according to business priorities and needs. It is anticipated that a substantial 80% of the job holder’s time will be dedicated to Matrix, with the remaining time focused on SBRI.

Desired Experience

• At least two years’ recent experience of working in a science, technology, research and development, or innovation communications role.

Essential Criteria

• A third-level qualification in marketing or communications.
• At least 2 years of demonstrable and practical professional experience working in a marketing or strategic communications environment.
• At least 2 years of experience gained within the last 10 years in the development and delivery of a communications strategy, including experience in identifying and implementing improvements to meet the requirements of a diverse range of stakeholders.
• A full, current driving licence enabling the licence holder to drive in Northern Ireland and/or access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full and be prepared to travel throughout Northern Ireland and elsewhere as required.
• A third-level qualification is defined as post A-Level.