Marketing & Communications Officer

Role: Marketing & Communications Officer

Grade and Salary: Grade 6, £31,236 - £36,636 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday - Friday

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role

We are seeking a Marketing and Communications Officer to support the Lyell Centre and Heriot Watt University’s wider research portfolio. Reporting to the Communications Manager (National Robotarium), the role contributes directly to the visibility, reputation and engagement of our research on the global stage. 

Working in close partnership with the Communications team, the Global Research Institutes (GRIs), the Research Engagement Office, and academic leaders, the postholder will help identify compelling research stories, promote academic expertise, support strategic communications planning, and develop targeted marketing content and campaigns that showcase Heriot-Watt’s world-changing research and impact.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute to a broad range of marketing and communications activities, including: 

Marketing and Communications Delivery

• Content Development – Produce engaging written, digital and multimedia content for use across web, social media, research channels and institutional communications. 
• Research Communications – Work closely with colleagues in the Lyell Centre, GRIs and Research Engagement Office to identify research outputs, case studies and impact stories suitable for promotion. 
• Integrated Campaigns – Support the planning and delivery of multi-channel campaigns to enhance visibility of research strengths, academic expertise and institutional priorities. 
• Media & PR Collaboration – Liaise with Communications colleagues to ensure research news, breakthroughs and opportunities are shared, repurposed and promoted via appropriate channels. 
• Event Support – Assist with research-related events, seminars, launches and public engagement activities, as appropriate to the role. Digital & Content 
• Social Media – Develop and schedule research-focused content for relevant social platforms; monitor performance and refine approach based on insights. 
• Web Management – Update and maintain research-related web pages, ensuring content is accurate, engaging and reflective of institutional priorities. 
• SEO & Analytics – Use data to inform content decisions, applying SEO best practice to improve reach and visibility. 

Stakeholder Partnership 

• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the Lyell Centre, GRIs, School research leads, Research Engagement Office, academic experts, and relevant professional services teams. 
• Coordinate information flow to support planning, content development and reputational initiatives. 

Reporting and Evaluation

• Track performance of marketing and communications activities, providing regular analytics and insights to improve future activity. 

External Supplier Management 

• Support the briefing and management of external agencies where required (e.g. design, film, digital development). 

Team Contribution 

• Work collaboratively with the wider MRAC team and contribute to University marketing and communications initiatives as required.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Essential

1. Proven experience in marketing and/or communications, ideally with exposure to research, academic or knowledge-driven environments. 
2. Experience producing high-quality written and digital content for external audiences. 
3. Strong digital skills, including social media management and basic web content editing. 
4. Experience supporting multi-media campaigns and projects involving multiple stakeholders. 
5. Excellent copywriting, editing and storytelling skills. 
6. Ability to manage workload in a fast-paced environment and deliver to deadlines. 
7. Professional, proactive approach to work. 
8. Educated to at least SCQF level 6–7 or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable

1. Experience in the Higher Education sector or research communications. 
2. Familiarity with CMS platforms and analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Power BI). 
3. Experience working with design, digital or content agencies. 
4. Understanding of SEO or science communication principles.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday 9th February 2026

Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.