Communications Manager - UNIC

The University of Nicosia invites applications for the role of Communications Manager, based at the UNIC Nicosia Campus.  The successful candidate will own UNIC’s communications strategy and execution in Greece and Cyprus, and support other priority markets as needed. He/she will lead narrative development for UNIC Athens, UNIC Nicosia and future campuses, manage PR agency partners to world‑class standards, and deliver sustained, high‑quality coverage and reputation outcomes across media, policy, and stakeholder ecosystems. He/she will operate comfortably at both strategy and hands‑on levels, in Greek and English, in fast, politicized environments across jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Planning:

• Build a 12‑month integrated communications plan for Cyprus and Greece (earned/owned/shared/paid), with quarterly OKRs and budget and provide a scalable playbook for additional markets as needed.
• Message architecture: define narratives and proof points for UNIC Nicosia and UNIC Athens (academics, research, clinics/placements, innovation, social impact). Localize global stories for GR & CY and adapt for other geographies as needed.
• Develop a cross‑market newsroom operating model (cadence, calendar, approvals, QA) across press, web, and other media.

Media Relations and Issues Management:

• Own tiered media mapping for Greece and Cyprus (national, broadcast, digital, education, business, health, tech) and cultivate deep editor/journalist relationships in both markets.
• Be the day‑to‑day lead for PR agency partners in Greece and Cyprus: set SOW, KPIs, and review cycles, and drive quality control on pitches and press materials.
• Act as senior press officer: brief spokespeople, place interviews, run press briefings, and handle tough inquiries across markets.
• Monitor policy and public discourse around higher education and private/non‑state institutions in both countries and prepare rapid‑response lines.
• Crisis comms: bi‑country risk register, holding lines, Q&As, escalation matrix, live monitoring, and post‑mortems.

Content and Thought Leadership:

• Own Greek‑language press releases, op‑eds, bylines, speechwriting, and social copy for GR & CY, and ensure flawless Greek and strong, idiomatic English.
• Package research/impact stories with data, case studies, and third‑party validators; pitch exclusive angles to tier‑1 in both markets.
• Maintain executive visibility program (media columns, panels, podcasts; speaker abstracts, briefing books) spanning GR & CY with selective international extensions.

Digital, Social and Owned Channels:

• Run the Greece & Cyprus editorial calendars across the web and coordinate with global channels for coherence and amplification.
• Ensure Greek/English parity and accessibility, and enforce tone‑of‑voice and brand standards across markets.
• Oversee measurement stack (social listening, media monitoring, SEO basics for newsroom posts) and bi‑countrymonthly reporting.

Operations, Budget and Governance:

• Maintain a media kit, boilerplates, fact sheets, and spokesperson bios applicable across markets.

• Implement approvals, legal/compliance checks (incl. data protection) in both jurisdictions, and record‑keeping.

Desired Outcomes:

• Share of Voice & Sentiment (GR & CY): Achieve leadership SOV vs named peers across both markets, and maintain net‑positive sentiment and message pull‑through on priority themes (quality, research, student outcomes, societal impact).
• Tier‑1 Wins Across Markets: Secure recurring placements/interviews/op‑eds in top national outlets in Greece and Cyprus (plus sector media) and establish relationships that yield proactive asks for UNIC commentary.
• Crisis Readiness (Bi‑country): Standing playbooks, trained spokespeople, and <60‑minute response cadence for high‑risk issues in both markets.
• Stakeholder Buy‑in: Consistent alignment with executive leadership, Schools, Admissions, Legal/Compliance, and external partners (e.g., clinical networks) on comms priorities across markets.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications/PR or related field.
• A master's degree will be considered an advantage

Experience:

7-10+ years in Communications/PR with at least 5 years owning Greek media relations for a complex or regulated brand (education/health/tech/public policy preferred) and strong exposure to the Cypriot media landscape (or vice‑versa, with clear evidence of rapid ramp in the other market).

Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrable current relationships with national editors/journalists in Greece and Cyprus, and a strong booking track record in at least one and credible momentum in the other.
• Proven multi‑market agency management (SOWs, retainer optimization, quality control).
• Crisis/issue management experience with rapid response and executive counsel.
• Strong writing portfolio (press releases, op‑eds, speeches) and content packaging skills.
• Data‑aware: comfortable with media monitoring, social listening, and reporting dashboards.
• Fluent in both Greek and English.

Personal Attributes:

• Stakeholder influence
• Executive presence
• Editorial judgment
• Tenacity under pressure
• Structured planning and prioritization
• High integrity and discretion

Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting the following documents:

• Cover Letter: Describe your interest in the position and how your background aligns with the role.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed CV highlighting relevant experience and achievements.
• References: Contact information for at least two references.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system.

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) is one of the leading comprehensive research-oriented universities in the Mediterranean region, committed to teaching, research and innovation, sustainability, societal engagement and contribution to culture.

The University offers more than 100 conventional face-to-face (on campus) and distance learning online programmes at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degree level, hosting more than 11,700 students from over 100 countries.

UNIC conducts extensive, high-quality, basic, applied, and interdisciplinary research that benefits society on a national and global scale. Our teaching and research staff excel in many academic disciplines and are acknowledged for their contribution to the creation and advancement of knowledge and technology transfer, with a particular focus on emerging technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and their impact on society.