Communications And Marketing Team.B2

Job Title: Communications and Marketing Team Lead

Business Area / Directorate: SAAS

Location: Saughton House Edinburgh

Working Arrangement: In line with our current ways of working our team follows a hybrid working approach where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances. You will be expected to attend the office in person 6 days per month

Grade: B2

Advert Type: Temporary Promotion or Level Transfer

Duration: 14 months

Eligibility: Expressions of Interest are invited from eligible staff in Bands A-B for this vacancy.

Overview

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for the administration of fees bursaries and loans to Scotlands higher education students providing advice and guidance to students and stakeholders across the education sector and wider public.

We have an exciting Communications and Marketing Manager vacancy.This post is a 14-month TP backfill (for maternity leave).

This role is responsible for planning developing and delivering our internal and external communication strategies. It ensures all messaging activity and channels align with organisational priorities while fostering strong partnerships to maximise reach. The role involves monitoring industry and social trends to ensure communications resonate with our diverse audiences and procuring appropriate media to support marketing campaigns using professional insight to identify and select the most effective channels across digital press and stakeholder communications.

The post holder will baseline monitor and evaluate campaign performance throughout the year presenting insights and analysis to the Executive Team annually. This ensures continuous improvement strong return on investment and value for money.

Reporting to the Head of Communications the post holder will be a brand advocate for SAAS ensuring our internal and external audiences are kept informed on key brand messaging throughout the year forging strategic relationships with internal and external partners.

Supporting the internal and corporate comms role across the Agency the post holder will work closely with all business areas overseeing internal corporate and marketing communications overseeing planning and output including line management responsibilities for one member of staff.

The post holder will help to drive employee behaviours and actions that create desired business outcomes working closely with our Chief Executive and Directors to help identify the goals and strategic aspirations for future internal planning within the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop implement and manage comprehensive communications plans across the agency for both business-as-usual and project-based initiatives.
• Analyse trends and patterns to identify issues or pain points initiating actions and consulting with wider teams as needed.
• Select and optimise communication channels to maximise engagement monitoring activities to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Manage stakeholder relationships building trust with partners and students gathering insights and setting priorities.
• Drive the development of internal and external communication strategies ensuring deliverables meet business needs deliver ROI and strengthen messaging through sector partnerships.
• Plan and execute the annual PR & Marketing campaign including research delivery and evaluation.
• Collaborate with internal teams across SAAS to create high-impact social media assets including videos graphics and infographics for priority campaigns.
• Engage with stakeholders across the higher education sector to identify collaborative opportunities that enhance brand awareness.
• Social Media Manager overseeing all SAAS channels (X Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube LinkedIn) and delivering engaging audience-focused content.
• Create in-house video content including planning filming and editing short-form content for multiple platforms.
• Maintain a professional understanding of social media platforms algorithms SEO advertising and industry trends to maximise ROI.
• Help to co-ordinate press enquiries as required.

Person Specification

Career Framework

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Experience of working in a communication focused environment with experience in drafting and leading creative projects and understanding how they positively impact behavioural change to support business objectives.

• Experience of working effectively as part of a busy team sharing information communicating and liaising with colleagues.

• Ability to build constructive relationships with stakeholders at all levels and plan organise and prioritise workloads to meet tight deadlines.

Behaviours Being Tested - Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide

Managing a quality service

• work with customers to understand their needs and expectations

• keep colleagues and stakeholders fully informed of plans possibilities and progress

• identify common problems that affect service report them and find possible solutions

Communicating and Influencing

• communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing

• take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money

• interact with others in an enthusiastic way

• express ideas clearly and with respect for others

• listen to and value different ideas views and ways of working

• respond constructively and objectively to comments and questions

Working Together

• develop a range of contacts outside own team and identify opportunities to share knowledge information and learning

• show genuine interest when listening to others

• contribute to an inclusive working environment where all opinions and challenges are listened to and all individual needs are taken into account

Working Pattern

The post is a full-time role but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

Further Information

Further information about this opportunity is available from

How to Apply

If you are interested in this post please submit a statement of interest setting out details of how you meet the success profile criteria outlined for the post. This should be no longer than 750 words. Applications should be submitted by midnight on the advertised closing date.

Vacancy closes at 11:59pm on Tuesday 7 April

Interviews

Interviews schedule tbc.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to interview with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.

For any questions relating to your expression of interest please contact