Work With Us
Occasionally, we are looking to add to our small team.
We also advertise short-term contract work on specific projects, freelance roles, and project-funded opportunities.
Year-round, we need volunteers to help with the Spark Young Writers groups, and with the running of our public events including the Birmingham Literature Festival (annual – usually autumn) and our National Writers’ Conference (annual – usually June).
Programmes and Marketing Assistant – Application Deadline Now Passed
We are looking for a Programmes and Marketing Assistant to support our small team working on our programme of projects and events.
Writing West Midlands (WWM) is the literature development agency for the West Midlands. It supports the writing industry regionally and nationally by offering training and development opportunities for writers, by encouraging children and young people to engage with creative writing and by running public literature events.
We run the Spark Young Writers programme, the Birmingham Literature Festival, the Room 204 Writer Development Scheme, the National Writers’ Conference and many other projects.
Writing West Midlands is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations and part of a national network of literature development agencies.
We have an office base in Birmingham but work across the West Midlands. Our office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm with a 30min break for lunch. We also work some evenings and weekends to deliver public events. Time off in lieu may be taken if working out of normal office hours.
Job Title: Programmes and Marketing Assistant
Job Terms: Permanent following a successful probationary period
Responsible To: Senior Management Team
Hours: 3 days a week. Hours are flexible including evenings and weekends – time off in lieu will be given. The office is closed on Fridays.
Office Base: Birmingham, UK (this role is office-based)
Salary: £14,148 for three days/week (£23,580 full time equivalent)
Start Date: June 2024 (exact date by negotiation).
Application Deadline: Thursday 25th April, 5pm
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail by Monday 29th April at 5pm.
Interview date: Thursday 2nd May in Birmingham, in person on the day.
More about the role:
We are looking for a confident self-starter to join our resourceful and passionate team to support in the following areas:
- Website and social media marketing, working with our Sales & Marketing Officer
- Administrative support for the monthly Spark Young Writers’ groups, working with our Learning & Participation Manager.
- Administrative and production support for the annual Birmingham Literature Festival, working with our Festival Director
- Volunteer Management
- Database Administration
- Some office management – ordering of supplies for the office, ensuring IT and equipment is maintained and safety-checked as required.
- Any other tasks which may reasonably be expected.
Person Specification:
This role is an entry point into working in arts administration, and would suit a recent graduate, someone changing the direction of their career or someone looking to re-enter the workforce after a career break.
As part of our commitment to ensure that the diversity of our staff body reflects that of the communities we serve, we particularly welcome applications from candidates of Black, Asian, or Ethnic Minority heritage, and candidates who are Disabled (including people who may not define themselves as disabled, but nevertheless encounter challenges).
The successful applicant will be an outgoing, reliable, enthusiastic individual with excellent written and spoken communication skills. They will have an interest in literature and the arts and in working with the public. They will have the ability to balance priorities and manage their own workload. They will show attention to detail, work accurately under pressure, work using their own initiative and be confident and proactive and have good communication skills.
Whoever is appointed will work within a team that is creative, resourceful and passionate about its work. Opportunities for professional development through training and working closely with other similar organisations within literature and across the arts will be given.
Desired/essential qualities/attributes in more detail:
Essential | Desirable | |
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Teams, Word, etc. | Y | |
Knowledge of WordPress (or similar) | Y | |
Familiarity with ConstantContact /other web-based email clients | Y | |
Familiarity with Instagram / Twitter / Facebook | Y | |
Knowledge of Canva | Y | |
Familiarity with Zoom | Y | |
Knowledge of the arts scene in the West Midlands | Y | |
Knowledge of contemporary literature | Y |
Work Skills:
Essential | Desirable | |
Confident, proactive phone manner | Y | |
Ability to pick up new computer / IT skills | Y | |
Basic Design skills | Y | |
Basic Video Editing skills | Y | |
Ability to generate interest in literature events both verbally and through copywriting | Y | |
Database Administration skills | Y | |
Ability to manage own workload and time | Y | |
Good problem-solving skills | Y | |
Ability to work creatively within a framework and budget. | Y |
General Skills / Attributes:
Essential | Desirable | |
Excellent written and verbal communication skills | Y | |
Good IT/Internet skills | Y | |
Attention to Detail | Y | |
Experience of web editing | Y | |
Experience of use of social media for marketing | Y | |
Ability to work alone and as part of a team | Y | |
Good timekeeping | Y | |
Able to work in a public-facing role | Y |
Education:
Essential | Desirable | |
GCSE Level | Y | |
A level | Y | |
Degree or Equivalent | Y |
Assistant Writer: Spark Young Writers
We are looking for Assistant Writers for our Spark Young Writers groups, go here for more information.
Writing West Midlands runs the largest number of creative writing workshops for young people in the country. For 10 years our groups have been growing, and we now run more than 200 writing workshops a year.
We are looking for emerging writers to help inspire the next generation of creative writers. You will help lead one of our Spark Young Writers groups for 10 monthly sessions (2 hours per session), under the guidance of a professional writer.
This is a voluntary post, but we will cover reasonable travel expenses.