Content Officer (Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship Available) At University of Sussex

Location: Brighton, UK (Falmer campus, accessible via train, bus, and cycling routes)
Contract: Full‑time (up to 1.0 FTE, 36.5 hrs/week)
Salary: Grade 5 – £29,959 to £34,132 per annum (pro rata if part‑time)
Contract Term: Fixed‑term
Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship: Available

Senior Digital Content Specialist – Shape University Communications

Join the University of Sussex Business School in Brighton as a strategic Content Officer, where your writing, editing, and digital storytelling skills will uplift our online presence. As part of the Business School’s Communications team, you’ll own the narrative—creating high‑impact, SEO‑driven content, working with multi-disciplinary collaborators, and managing campaigns that drive engagement from prospective students, faculty, industry partners, and alumni.

In this role, you will:

Craft compelling narratives through blogs, news stories, feature articles, and web content.
Enhance our search visibility using on-page SEO, metadata, keyword research, and structured content.
Design digital experiences by collaborating with central and faculty-level comms teams.
Manage multiple campaigns to build a coherent brand voice and engage global audiences.
Use web analytics to measure performance and optimize content strategy.
Spot and develop stories, using initiative to surface opportunities for promotion.
Maintain brand consistency, ensuring tone of voice and accessibility across channels.

This role offers a rare opportunity to combine your creativity with strategic digital insight, working on projects that influence business education on a global stage.

Key Responsibilities – Content Strategy, SEO & Web Publishing

Develop and Manage SEO‑Optimized Content

Write engaging, clear content tailored to diverse stakeholders: undergraduate/postgraduate students, executive education, research audiences.
Conduct keyword research to target terms like “business school Brighton,” “MBA content officer UK,” and “digital communications job.”
Implement on-page SEO best practices: headings, meta tags, alt text, internal links, and page structure.
Use Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor traffic, score performance, and refine content.

Content Production & Publishing

Create feature articles, interviews, news updates, research highlights, student stories.
Develop web page content aligned with campaign schedules and academic calendars.
Use basic HTML to format copy, link resources, and update templates.
Work with web development or CMS teams to ensure technical accuracy.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

Build strong relationships with faculty, academic departments, admin-area colleagues, careers support.
Hold briefing meetings, draft content outlines, gather quotes and approvals.
Assist Marcomms team on integrated digital and social campaigns.

Storytelling & Editorial Planning

Use proactive content planning to identify and develop stories that raise our profile.
Develop editorial calendars, ensuring timely posting, campaign alignment, and academic year scheduling.
Monitor communications trends in higher education, business, and digital marketing.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

Track content effectiveness via performance metrics (page views, time on page, conversion rates).
Use data-driven insight to refine content strategy and editorial priorities.
Provide reporting summaries that highlight achievements and new opportunities.

Essential Experience & Skills – Your Digital Storytelling Toolkit

Writing & Digital Publishing

Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in writing for web, news media, marketing, or education.
Proven track record of producing clear, engaging, and error-free content.
Experience with web content management, writing in accessible tone, tailoring for different audiences.

SEO & Web Analytics

Proficient in on-page SEO, keyword research tools, and metadata optimization.
Competent with Google Analytics (or equivalent tools) for measuring content performance.
Proven ability to use data to adjust content priorities.

Technical Familiarity

Comfortable with CMS platforms (e.g. Drupal, WordPress) and basic HTML/CSS editing.
Competence in integrating multimedia elements (images, embeds, media links).
Familiarity with UX best practices like readability, navigation, accessibility (WCAG).

Collaborative Story Development

Strong interpersonal skills—easy to build rapport with academics, staff, students.
Adept at handling multiple stakeholders and managing editorial processes.
Independent and self-motivated, with excellent project and time management.

Attention to Detail & Adaptability

Rigorous proofreading and editing skills, with excellent grammar.
Comfortable working in fast-paced academic and communications settings.
Flexible attitude to meet deadlines without compromising quality.

Preferred Attributes – What Sets You Apart

Knowledge of higher education communications, especially within business schools.
Familiarity with social media content strategy (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram).
Experience writing for international or diverse audiences.
Background in brand voice development and tone optimization.
Interest in business, education, innovation, sustainability, or policy communications.
Experience in using campaign/email management tools (e.g. Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor).

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship – Join as an International Talent

We are proud to welcome Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship for successful candidates. To qualify:

The role must be performed within the UK.
The salary must meet or exceed £30,960 (Grade 5.3 threshold) for visa purposes.
You will be listed on the University’s Home Office sponsor licence.
Visit the UK Visas & Immigration website for full details on the Skilled Worker route.

Our HR and visa teams will support your application from offer stage through to visa approval and onboarding.

Faculty & Organisational Context – Why Sussex Business School

A Research‑Led, Interdisciplinary Home

The Business School is organized into five impactful departments:

Accounting & Finance
Strategy & Marketing
Management
Economics
Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU)

We champion innovative scholarship, global policy impact, and sustainable business solutions.

A Collaborative, Forward‑Looking Culture

Emphasizing interdisciplinarity, inclusivity, and global relevance.
Collaborative research and outreach—supporting positive change locally and internationally.
Staff are invited into networks, mentoring schemes, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives.

A Beautiful, Accessible Campus

Located beside the South Downs National Park on a 150-acre green campus.
Easy access via Falmer rail station (5 min walk), regular buses, and cycle-friendly routes.
A supportive environment promoting work-life balance—cycling scheme, café spaces, library, parkland.

Reward & Benefits – University Staff Offerings

The University of Sussex values our staff and offers an excellent reward and wellbeing package:

Pay & Pensions

Competitive salary aligned with national sector standards.
Generous workplace pension with employer contributions.

Flexible & Family‑Friendly Working

Flexible work requests (subject to business needs).
Cycle-to-work scheme, fostering sustainable transport.
Defined pro-rata benefits for part-time staff.

Health, Wellbeing & Support

Full wellbeing and employee assistance programme.
Support with workplace adjustments and accessibility accommodations.
Inclusive of mental health, financial advice, and counselling.

Learning & Professional Development

In-house and external training, workshops, and funding opportunities.
Guidance and career development support.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusive recruitment and employment policies.
Active staff networks and forums (e.g. BME, LGBTQ+, disability).
Ongoing support for diverse academic and professional community.

Application Process – How to Apply & Key Dates

Closing Date

Applications must be received by 11:59 PM GMT on 22 June 2025.

Application Steps

Prepare your CV highlighting relevant digital communications experience.
Write a cover letter illustrating your content strategy, SEO, and storytelling skills.
Submit through Sussex University recruitment portal.
Include references and examples of published digital content or web copy samples.

Apply Here

Interview Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first-stage interview (in-person or virtual).
May include a short written task or case-study focused on content planning or SEO.
Final interview with senior communications staff and faculty representatives.
Offer—subject to visa checks, references, and contract details.

Contact & Queries

For informal enquiries, contact Serena Mitchell at s.c.mitchell@sussex.ac.uk
For visa-sponsorship questions, refer to University webpage on Skilled Worker Visas.

Why This Is a Standout Opportunity – Your Chance to Shine

Strategic impact: Influence our brand voice and student engagement through compelling content.
Professional growth: Gain deep experience in SEO, analytics, cross-team collaboration.
International appeal: Collaborate with global audiences, faculty, and partners.
Visa support: Bring your expertise to UK academia with skilled worker sponsorship.
Campus life: Work in the vibrant, scenic Brighton-Falmer area—combining city, campus, and countryside.

Whether you’re an experienced digital content specialist—especially with higher education or business school exposure—or an ambitious communicator seeking your next challenge, this role offers a clear path to influence and professional development.

Ready to Apply?

Shape the digital narrative of the University of Sussex Business School:

Submit your CV, cover letter and work examples by 22 June 2025.
Envision your next step in content strategy and digital storytelling.
Apply now and make your mark on global business education.

Your digital voice matters. Be our next Content Officer and help us tell the story of tomorrow.