Strategic Messaging Manager

About usUCL Advancement connects UCL with its alumni and supporters around the world, and builds the philanthropic partnerships that help the university take on some of society's biggest challenges. We're a collaborative, ambitious team, and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.In our bicentennial year, we launched Here, it will happen, the biggest philanthropic and engagement campaign in UCL's history. It sets out bold ambitions to tackle global health, societal, climate and education challenges over UCL's next century, bringing world-leading researchers together with a committed community of donors and alumni to fuel the next 200 years of impact.

We're determined to double down on our discoveries, turn our innovations into real-world impact and inspire the citizens of the future.You'll join the Advancement Messaging, Storytelling and Content Team, part of our Alumni and Donor Engagement function. We work with partners right across UCL to tell our global impact story creatively, through strategic communications, publications and digital content that reach alumni, donors, volunteers and supporters worldwide.About the roleThis is a role for someone who loves turning big ideas into stories that move people to act. As our Advancement Strategic Messaging Manager, you'll be the communications lead for a portfolio of priority campaign themes, propositions and programmes.

You'll take campaign priorities, messaging frameworks and strategic narratives and shape them into integrated communications plans that inspire alumni, donors and supporters, and drive engagement, stewardship and fundraising.It's a genuinely varied mix of strategy, collaboration and hands-on creativity. One week you might be mapping out a plan around a major campaign milestone; the next you could be writing the script for an international fundraising event or briefing colleagues on a new piece of content.What you'll be doingBuilding and delivering integrated communications plans for your campaign themes, propositions and programmes, making sure stories, announcements, milestones and engagement opportunities all pull in the same direction.Turning campaign priorities and messaging frameworks into audience-focused communications and fresh content ideas.Writing clear briefs, messaging frameworks and content requirements that help colleagues across digital, publications and wider Advancement deliver brilliant, consistent work.Partnering with teams including Publications and Stories, Advancement Digital Channels, Philanthropy Writing, Alumni Engagement, Donor Engagement, Regular Giving and Legacies to bring your plans to life.Commissioning and coordinating content across a wide range of channels and formats, keeping everything aligned with campaign priorities and what our audiences need.Rolling up your sleeves to create content yourself, from campaign copy, articles and web content to briefings, scripts, messaging documents and collateral.Shaping content that encourages people to get involved in Advancement programmes and shows the real impact of philanthropy, volunteering and alumni engagement.Supporting flagship campaign moments and key fundraising and engagement events in the UK and internationally, with messaging and scripts that are culturally appropriate for every audience.Making sure everything we put out reflects our campaign messaging, visual identity, editorial standards and audience insight.Using performance data, audience insight and feedback to see what's working and find ways to make it even better.Becoming a trusted adviser to colleagues across Advancement and the wider university on campaign messaging and communications planning.About youYou're a confident communications planner and a talented writer who can take something complex and make it clear, compelling and human. You enjoy working with lots of different people, you're organised enough to keep several projects moving at once, and you're always curious about how to make the next piece of work land even better.Essential experience and knowledgeDeveloping and delivering communications, content or campaign plans that support organisational objectives.Creating high-quality communications content for a range of audiences and channels.Coordinating communications activity involving multiple stakeholders, teams or suppliers.Translating complex strategies, priorities or subject matter into clear, compelling, audience-focused communications.Working collaboratively with colleagues from different disciplines to deliver integrated communications.An understanding of brand, editorial and accessibility standards in a communications environment.Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with a sharp eye for detail.The ability to develop communications plans and turn strategic objectives into practical activity.The ability to brief, commission and coordinate content across multiple channels and stakeholders.Strong organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.The ability to use audience insight, feedback and performance data to improve content and achieve objectives.When you apply: please use your supporting statement to show us how you meet each of the essential criteria below, with examples.

We'll score applications against these criteria, so the more specific you can be, the better.What we offerAs well as the chance to help shape the biggest campaign in UCL's 200-year history, we offer a benefits package that includes:41 days of holiday (27 days' annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 university closure days).Hybrid working, so you can normally work remotely for part of the week if you wish.An excellent defined benefit pension scheme.Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.On-site nursery and discounted gym membership.An Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support and wellbeing services.Staff discounts, learning and development opportunities, and much more.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London's Global University, we know that diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to reflect the diversity of the world's talent. We're committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where everyone belongs.We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. Whatever your background, if this role excites you, we'd love to hear from you.