Communications Officer
| Posting date: | 16 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £28,778 to £31,236 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Further salary progression opportunities up to £33,002 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 March 2026 |
| Location: | Canterbury, Kent |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Canterbury Christ Church University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | REQ06052 |
Summary
Please note a full application including a covering letter detailing your experience alongside a CV is required for applications to be considered. Please be advised applications made without providing a cover letter will not be accepted.
Background of department/role
We are seeking a Communications Officer to join our ambitious communications team.
As the Communications Officer, you will be at the heart of our activities, proactively generating and delivering compelling and engaging content that supports the University’s key strategic aims. Your content will articulate the University’s vision, values, impact and benefits, and achieve high levels of media interest and coverage, raising the University’s profile to external audiences.
You will have excellent communications and organisation skills and be able to work across several key priorities simultaneously, at fast pace. You will enjoy having a varied role that offers the opportunity to be creative, build new connections and work with colleagues within the communications team, the wider department and across the University.
Key Responsibilities:
Pro-actively source and create compelling content, media pitches and press briefings that will raise the profile of the University to the media and external audiences, supporting its student recruitment strategies, research expertise and role as a civic university.
A strong understanding of the news and the ability to position the University's work as relevant and impactful within this context.
To skilfully take complex, academic information and turn into engaging and accessible audience-specific, multi-media communications, including thought leadership, press releases, and social media content.
To build strong relationships with colleagues within the department to ensure content is shared and opportunities maximised across all channels, and maintain collaborative relationships with academics, School leadership and internal stakeholders to continuously uncover and develop newsworthy stories and expert commentary opportunities.
Work with the Media Relations Manager on responding to incoming enquiries from the media, and make recommendations on the University’s response.
To be part of an on-call/out-of-hours media relations support service, advising and liaising with senior members of staff and to work independently in a crisis.
How will you work?
We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible and this role is is Flexible and connected (Professional Services).
Campus attendance will vary on a day-to-day basis and across the year but must purposefully align to the needs of our students, staff, and stakeholders. It is expected that there will be a relatively even balance between time spent on and off campus; but in most cases the work location will be determined by the service required or the tasks/activities being undertaken.
How to apply
Start date for applications: 16th February 2026
Closing date for applications: 9th March 2026
Interviews are to be held: TBC- March 2026
If you require further information regarding the post please feel free to contact Ruth Wood, Head of Communications, ruth.wood@canterbury.ac.uk (strictly no agencies, thank you) quoting reference number REQ06052.
Please note, Canterbury Christ Church University reserve the right to bring the closing date of this position forward where a high volume of applications is received.
Employment Visa Clarification: According to the UK Government Points Based System, this position does not fulfil the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route application.
Additional Information
Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you. #yourCCCU
Our University is deeply committed to shaping sustainable futures as a key part of its mission and values. If you share this passion, we encourage you to join us in making CCCU a more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainable place to study and work
Please note applications must be made online via the University website; details sent directly via email cannot be considered.
Prior consideration will be given to applicants in the University’s redeployment pool. No agencies, thank you.
Background of department/role
We are seeking a Communications Officer to join our ambitious communications team.
As the Communications Officer, you will be at the heart of our activities, proactively generating and delivering compelling and engaging content that supports the University’s key strategic aims. Your content will articulate the University’s vision, values, impact and benefits, and achieve high levels of media interest and coverage, raising the University’s profile to external audiences.
You will have excellent communications and organisation skills and be able to work across several key priorities simultaneously, at fast pace. You will enjoy having a varied role that offers the opportunity to be creative, build new connections and work with colleagues within the communications team, the wider department and across the University.
Key Responsibilities:
Pro-actively source and create compelling content, media pitches and press briefings that will raise the profile of the University to the media and external audiences, supporting its student recruitment strategies, research expertise and role as a civic university.
A strong understanding of the news and the ability to position the University's work as relevant and impactful within this context.
To skilfully take complex, academic information and turn into engaging and accessible audience-specific, multi-media communications, including thought leadership, press releases, and social media content.
To build strong relationships with colleagues within the department to ensure content is shared and opportunities maximised across all channels, and maintain collaborative relationships with academics, School leadership and internal stakeholders to continuously uncover and develop newsworthy stories and expert commentary opportunities.
Work with the Media Relations Manager on responding to incoming enquiries from the media, and make recommendations on the University’s response.
To be part of an on-call/out-of-hours media relations support service, advising and liaising with senior members of staff and to work independently in a crisis.
How will you work?
We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible and this role is is Flexible and connected (Professional Services).
Campus attendance will vary on a day-to-day basis and across the year but must purposefully align to the needs of our students, staff, and stakeholders. It is expected that there will be a relatively even balance between time spent on and off campus; but in most cases the work location will be determined by the service required or the tasks/activities being undertaken.
How to apply
Start date for applications: 16th February 2026
Closing date for applications: 9th March 2026
Interviews are to be held: TBC- March 2026
If you require further information regarding the post please feel free to contact Ruth Wood, Head of Communications, ruth.wood@canterbury.ac.uk (strictly no agencies, thank you) quoting reference number REQ06052.
Please note, Canterbury Christ Church University reserve the right to bring the closing date of this position forward where a high volume of applications is received.
Employment Visa Clarification: According to the UK Government Points Based System, this position does not fulfil the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route application.
Additional Information
Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you. #yourCCCU
Our University is deeply committed to shaping sustainable futures as a key part of its mission and values. If you share this passion, we encourage you to join us in making CCCU a more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainable place to study and work
Please note applications must be made online via the University website; details sent directly via email cannot be considered.
Prior consideration will be given to applicants in the University’s redeployment pool. No agencies, thank you.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.