Digital Communications and Design Manager

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing advocacy team, working with 24 leading UK universities. We're looking for an outstanding Digital Communications and Design Manager to deliver expertise in digital design, communications, graphic design and creative content production. They will work across a range of digital platforms, including developing video, multimedia and other creative content to influence a broad variety of stakeholders. The post holder will apply their expertise to support impactful digital publication and communications activities and enhance the Russell Group positioning through consistent, high-quality design and digital outputs. Through collaboration and advocacy, the Russell Group works to advance and champion the positive economic, societal and cultural contributions of our universities. The Russell Group represents the interests of our 24 university members at the highest level of government, with media as well as with key research and innovation funders, with business, third-sector partners, regulators, and internationally with like-minded bodies. The Digital Communications and Design Manager will:

• Act as design lead for the Russell Group, taking a hands-on role in creating website and social media content and high-quality brand assets (e.g. infographics, video content briefings and reports).
• Develop and oversee Russell Group ‘house style' for all publications and digital assets, ensuring consistency of use across the organisation.
• Maintain oversight of core digital and design assets such as briefing and presentation templates and photo/video library, and support a consistent visual identity for the Russell Group across all outputs and platforms.
• Oversee day-to-day operational management of the Russell Group's social media channels, ensuring content is tailored to platform audiences and optimised for reach and engagement. Working with the Head of Media Relations, planning and delivering proactive social media and web campaigns across owned channels, aligning content planning and activity with key advocacy priorities. This includes working closely with colleagues with media, public affairs, data and policy responsibilities to represent our outputs and positions effectively.
• Support the delivery of paid digital campaigns, including implementation and optimisation, working with senior colleagues to align spend with strategic priorities.
• Oversee all publication design, including managing external contractors for larger-scale outputs.
• Support day-to-day management of the Russell Group website and microsites, and contribute to their ongoing development.
• Build strong working relationships with communications teams across Russell Group universities to identify, gather and curate high-quality case studies and visual content to support advocacy activities.
• Ensure the Russell Group's digital strategy and content plans are data-driven, monitoring the impact of activity and using insight to refine approaches, enhancing reach and informing wider communications planning.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of social media and digital communications principles relevant to a leading advocacy and policy organisation, including emerging approaches such as Generative Engine Optimisation.
• Help colleagues across the wider team develop their understanding of digital and social media and act as effective digital advocates for the Russell Group.
• Monitor and manage the authorised use of brand assets by members and external stakeholders, and liaise with the Operations team on protection of the organisation's brand and associated intellectual property.
• Participate fully in an integrated External Relations team which covers public affairs, media, partnerships and engagement and includes social media.
• Undertake a number of core tasks which apply to all members of the External Relations team, including being part of an out-of-hours on-call rota, and occasionally carry out other assignments in response to workload and capacity requirements within the organisation.
• Manage data in accordance with the Russell Group's data protection policies.
• You will also be responsible for delivering any additional responsibilities, as determined by the Head of Media Relations or Director of External Relations, in accordance with your experience and the broad purpose of this role. We are looking for a highly-motivated individual with previous experience in digital communications and design. Candidates should have:
• Strong professional expertise and experience of digital content production, publication design, and social media management in a political, public sector, charity or business environment. This includes hands-on media production skills such as photo and video editing.
• A proven track record of devising and delivering digital strategies, knowing how to communicate with a range of audiences online. They will demonstrate that they can work proactively, taking ownership of their portfolio and share expertise to build digital capabilities across communication teams and the wider organisation.
• Experience of developing and delivering or implementing a ‘house style' to ensure consistency of design and brand across an organisation.
• Expertise in publication design and relevant design and graphic design platforms.
• Ability to demonstrate that they can manage and prioritise a challenging and varied portfolio of work, understand the perspectives of different political actors and stakeholders, meet tight deadlines as well as managing longer term work and work co-operatively as part of a small team.
• Previous experience working in a fast-paced communications environment would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the higher education and/or research and innovation sector, and an understanding of the UK political context, would be an advantage but is not essential. Our Candidate Pack, which includes the vacancy description for the role, is available to download from the Russell Group Careers site (https://russellgroup-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com/). Our offices are based in the heart of Westminster, with proximity to key stakeholders and easy access to public transport links. To maximise effective team-based working, we offer flexibility for staff to work from home up to two days a week, subject to work priorities. Benefits include:
• Membership of the USS pension scheme
• 25 days of Annual Leave at start, increasing by 1 day annually to a maximum of 30 days
• Discretionary closure days at Easter and Christmas holidays (in addition to Public Holidays)
• Private healthcare insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme The starting salary will be in the range of £52,000-£57,000. This is dependent on skills and experience. A higher salary may be available for exceptional and highly experienced candidates. Closing date for all applications: 17:00 on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. We anticipate that in-person interviews will be held in w/c 30 November 2026. To apply, please visit our Careers site (https://russellgroup-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com/) and submit the following by the closing date:

1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. two sides of A4) including:

• details of your current and past employment
• your degree qualifications including subjects and grades
• two references (your current/most recent employer and a former line manager)

2. A cover letter no more than two sides of A4 addressing the following points:

• how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role
• why you are interested in working for the Russell Group

3. We ask all applicants to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring form which you can download from our Careers site. Further information on the Russell Group can be found at https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/.