Communications Manager (FTC) - The Open University

£32,080 - £37,694 (pro-rata) • The Open University • Milton Keynes

Advert Reference Number: 1188

Job Location: Milton Keynes

Department: Education

Salary: £32,080 to £37,694 (pro-rata)

Closing Date: 18 November 2025

Weekly Working Hours: 18.5

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 2 years from start date

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The Open University (OU) Reading for Pleasure (RfP) Research and Practice Coalition is an award-winning, innovative initiative. The Coalition aims to enrich young readers’ life chances by empowering teachers and schools to help them develop the habit of reading.

Marketing, communication and engagement are critical to the success of the Coalition’s growth ambitions. This exciting role plays a key part in helping achieve plans to reach new audiences and transform more children and young people’s lives.

Working closely with the Coalition’s academic lead, the post-holder will support the delivery of an RfP marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement strategy. They will work with the RfP team to support and out-face a range of key activities, including continuing professional development (CPD), teaching, knowledge exchange, enterprise, and research.

The post-holder will also collaborate with the OU RfP team and external partners to plan, develop, deliver, and track new digital and print initiatives that effectively communicate the aims and work of the RfP Coalition. This will involve working via owned and earned channels including the RfP website, social media, (e.g. X, LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky) the newsletter (currently 45,000+ members), and others. It will also include working with advocates and partners to maximise traction and communicate effectively with the teaching profession and beyond.

Please note: This is a part time role of 18.5 hours per week. It is a requirements of this role that you work these hours across no more than 3 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Support delivery of a communications and engagement strategy to enhance the profile, reach and influence of the RfP Coalition.
• Create tailored and inclusive content, designing assets and choosing appropriate communications channels to reach priority audiences (e.g. teachers and teaching assistants, schools academy chains, individual schools and partners), whilst adhering to brand guidelines.
• Proactively propose innovative ways to engage wider audiences, including diverse initiatives across the digital sphere, to maximise the reach and influence of RfP research and teaching.
• Coordinate, manage and promote the monthly RfP Newsletter.
• Manage and take responsibility for the website’s communicative style and updates working with the website host
• Work closely with the RfP team to develop new partnerships, aligning communications activities with RfP growth priorities.
• Harness social media platforms to expand the vibrant research-informed RfP community.
• Report on regular performance statistics across all communications activities and recommend improvements.

About You

Essential:

• Proven ability to write for and develop reach through digital communications channels (websites, newsletters and social media channels), and for different audiences working to a communications strategy.
• Proven ability to design materials that advance causes and engage audiences.
• Proven ability to work with internal colleagues and external partners to develop and communicate (e.g. using digital channels) new initiatives (e.g. extended CPD offerings and other potential partnerships).
• Excellent organisational and IT skills including the ability to use Microsoft applications, Content Management Systems (e.g. WordPress, Drupal) and the ability to learn new systems (e.g. Canva).
• Considerable experience of reporting and use of key analytics from digital communications channels to inform team planning and improve engagement.
• Ability to work co-operatively and effectively both independently and as part of a team, to use own initiative and be proactive by timelining and prioritising tasks, and to maintain high standards whilst under pressure.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build collaborative relationships across the University and with external partners.
• Ability to problem solve, prioritise, adapt and respond to changes quickly, paying attention to detail.
• A strong commitment to excellence in achieving equality, diversity and inclusion objectives whilst following equal opportunities policies and practices within the role.
• A demonstratable understanding of the principles of OU brand compliance, data protection and copyright.
• Willingness to work flexibly and respond outside typical working hours (e.g. for one off conferences/events or particular social media initiatives).

Desirable:

• A demonstrable interest in and understanding of teaching, education and Reading for Pleasure.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

You will be required to visit our Milton Keynes offices once per month, however we do ask for flexibility in response to business needs.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Shortlisting is due to take place on the 21 November 2025

The successful candidate for this role will be required to undertake a DBS check.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting statement of no more than 1000 words outlining how you meet the essential criteria

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.