Social Media Officer High Wycombe 2024

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues.

Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

BNU continues to experience rapid growth in student numbers, making us one of the fastest-growing higher education providers. This is an exciting time to join the University as we invest significantly in estate developments and work proudly with Jay Blades MBE, our inaugural Chancellor.

The role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative recent graduate with a passion for communicating our stories to diverse audiences across our online channels. This new entry-level role into Communications is perfect for someone looking to get hands-on experience and make their mark!

Supported by a friendly and experienced team, the successful candidate will play an active role in enhancing the University’s social media presence and reputation by creating engaging content about why BNU is a special place to study and work. There’s an open door for new ideas, backed up with the necessary kit to learn new skills and try them out.

The post holder will have a roving brief to gather and create content such as videos, photos, infographics, blogs, and case studies across our campuses. And the role will also involve providing excellent customer service by working with colleagues across BNU to monitor and respond to comments on BNU’s social media posts.

Job purpose

This entry-level role into a career in Communications will play a key and active role in enhancing the University’s social media presence by creating engaging content about why BNU is a special place to study and work, and its important role in the local community.

The postholder will have experience of using smartphones and/or cameras to gather and create content, such as videos, photos, blogs and case studies, and be equipped to share the University’s stories with diverse audiences across its online channels.

The role will also involve providing excellent customer service by monitoring and responding to comments on BNU’s posts, helping to protect and improve the University’s reputation.

Main duties & responsibilities 

• Develop and craft engaging social media content (mixture of written, video, photographic etc) that resonates with BNU’s diverse audiences across various platforms.
• Collaborate with academic Schools, professional services directorates, researchers, and students to tell the University’s good news stories, including the achievements of its staff and students; institutional successes; and the impact of BNU’s research and civic engagement work.
• Keep abreast of social media trends, best practices, and emerging platforms to highlight timely opportunities to enhance BNU’s social media activity.
• Foster meaningful interactions, dialogue, and engagement with BNU’s followers, helping to nurture a thriving online community in which BNU has an active presence and personality.
• With support and guidance from the Communications team, assist in monitoring and responding to comments on social media platforms promptly to help safeguard BNU’s online reputation.
• Utilise analytics tools to measure the impact of social media campaigns and contribute ideas to maximise the reach and impact of BNU’s communication strategies and action plans.
• Contribute to a community of best practice across BNU for those who engage in social media by working with the Digital team and colleagues who lead on School or course specific social media accounts.
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
• Such other duties, temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

Person specification

Education, qualifications & training

• Degree or equivalent.

Knowledge & experience

• Experience of using smartphones and/or cameras to create engaging content such as videos, photos, blogs and case studies.
• In-depth understanding of key and emerging social media platforms and trends
• Intuitive understanding of audience demographics and a creative approach to communicating with them.
• A creative, problem-solving mindset.

Skills

• Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
• Social media video production and editing skills with experience of using TikTok, Instagram, Apple and/or Adobe video editing software.
• Graphic design for social media using tools such as Canva.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Analytic skills to measure impact of content creation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

BBF (Top 3 key behavioural categories most applicable to the role)

• Delivering excellent service
• Achieving results
• Working together

What we offer

• a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• training & development support opportunities
• contributory pension scheme
• discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
• a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you. All applications are to be made in full and online.

Interview date W/C 11 March 2024.

About us

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.