Director of Communications and External Affairs, Cranfield University

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Cranfield is proud to be the UK’s only specialist postgraduate University, and our world-class expertise, unrivalled industry partnerships and large-scale specialist facilities are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Our distinctive expertise is in our deep understanding of technology and management and how these work together, to benefit society and the world.

At this exciting point in our institutional journey, as we embark on the development of a new Corporate Plan which will be designed to raise the ambition and enhance the distinctiveness of our University through our people, we are now seeking to appoint our new Director of Communications and External Affairs (CEA). This is a senior leadership role which is of critical importance to our strategic future as a university, and will be instrumental in supporting our strategic priorities and plans for growth.

Communications is of significant strategic importance to Cranfield, and as our new Director of CEA you will make a tangible impact in supporting and contributing to its strategy and objectives. You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of CEA, and will lead a professional team in the development and delivery of a range of communications, brand marketing and public affairs activities to have a positive impact on the University. As a strategic leader and influencer, you will take the lead in building and protecting Cranfield's reputation, with functional coverage of brand marketing, content and publications, media relations, social media, internal communications, public and Government affairs, events and digital/web, servicing the needs of the University's stakeholders across each of these key areas, both internally and externally. You will collaborate extensively with senior stakeholders from across the university and foster a culture of inclusion and team working.

If you are an innovative, impactful and inclusive leader, with demonstrable experience of leading high-functioning teams and strategy across Communications and Externals Affairs with multiple stakeholder engagement, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are interested in candidates who will be able to evidence an understanding and appreciation of the changing dynamics of the Higher Education market, and irrespective of which sector you may have gained your professional experience we will be keen to see candidates who possess demonstrable knowledge and experience of working in a commercial and complex environment.

We are an inclusive institution, recognising and valuing the different perspectives that diversity and equitable practice can bring to our working, learning and teaching community. We would therefore welcome and positively encourage expressions of interest from those from underrepresented and/or minoritised backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+, disability and other protected characteristics.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. Find out about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here. We are currently piloting hybrid working arrangements until April 2022. This means the majority of our staff are spending between 40% and 60% of their time working from the office where their roles allow.

For further information please contact our executive search partners, Alumni Harvey Nash. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Owen Francis, Director or Anita Denton, Principal Researcher on +447725554802. To apply, please email your CV and Cover Letter to Anita Denton, Principal Researcher (anita.denton@harveynash.com).