Writing West Midlands is seeking a Sales & Marketing Officer to lead on all aspects of engaging audiences and participants for our events and activities, including generating earned income through ticket sales.
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 Government region of the West Midlands. Our working hours are 7.5 hrs per day (including 30-minute lunch break), Monday to Thursday, within the times 08:00 – 18:00, with some work undertaken on evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, for which Time off in Lieu may be taken.
Job Title: Sales and Marketing Officer
Job Terms: Permanent following a successful 6-month probationary period
Responsible To: Chief Executive
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: £28,000 pro rata (£16,800 for three days per week)
Start Date: January 2023 (exact date by negotiation).
Application Deadline: Wednesday 29 November 2023, 12noon
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail by Friday 1 December 2023.
Interview date: Tuesday 5 December 2023 in Birmingham, in person only.
About the role:
The role will be permanent, with an initial 6-month probation period.
The role will include the following:
- Overall management of our three websites, working with our Programmes & Marketing Assistant and other staff.
- Overall management of communications on social media, working with our Programmes & Marketing Assistant
- Upkeep of our audience/participant database (run on Constant Contact) and overseeing our digital newsletters and other digital marketing, working with our Programmes & Marketing Assistant
- Gathering feedback through surveys and questionnaires and monthly uploading of data to Arts Council England’s Illuminate system; assisting our Chief Executive in provision of audience and participant data for reporting to key stakeholders
- Setting up and managing sales/box office function for our events and activities, through systems and apps including Ticket Source, Facebook and PayPal
- Management of production and distribution of printed marketing materials for key events and activities (e.g. brochure for Birmingham Literature Festival)
- Booking of photographers and videographers for key events and activities, including arranging photography permission forms
- Annual recruitment to our Room 204 Writer Development Programme and other schemes and initiatives, working with our Programmes & Marketing Assistant
- Management of the budget for sales and marketing activities and monitoring of levels of income generation from events and activities
- Working with our Chief Executive and other colleagues to ensure GDPR compliance
- Any other tasks which may reasonably be expected, including assisting with management and delivery of the Birmingham Literature Festival and other events and activities
The role is part-time, covering 3 days per week, which can be worked flexibly over 3 or 4 days. Writing West Midlands is closed on Fridays, and some weekend and evening working will be required, with lieu time given. Working patterns will be discussed at interview.
This position is permanent following a successful 6 month probationary period (which may be extended).
Person Specification:
This role would suit someone looking to develop their career in sales and marketing within the arts and culture sector. While some experience of working directly in the arts would be an advantage, we are also willing to consider candidates with comparable experience in other sectors and with appropriate transferable skills.
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 Global Majority heritage, candidates who are Disabled (including people who may not define themselves as disabled, but nevertheless encounter challenges) and candidates from socio-economic groups that have typically been marginalised.
The successful candidate will be a reliable and organised individual with excellent written and spoken communication skills. They will have an interest in arts and culture and in reaching targets for engagement with communities. They will have the ability to balance priorities and manage their own workload. They will show attention to detail, be able to work accurately under pressure using their own initiative and be confident and proactive.
Equal Opportunities:
Writing West Midlands is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome all applicants regardless of race or colour, nationality or national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, sex or marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age.
We believe that all writers should have the opportunity to tell their stories and we work with under-represented communities to help make this happen. Our aim is for our organisation to better reflect the diverse communities in which we work.
If you have any access requirements, you will be asked to provide these during the application process so we can ensure your needs are met.
Writing West Midlands regrets that in the event of a large volume of applications we may not be able to contact non-shortlisted applicants or offer individual feedback.
Desired/Essential Qualities and Attributes in More Detail:
Knowledge:
| 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 / Facebook / X (Twitter) | Y |
|
Knowledge of Ticket Source or comparable ticketing systems |
| 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 |
Ability to generate interest in literature events both verbally and through copywriting | Y |
|
Database Management skills | Y |
|
Ability to manage own workload and time | Y |
|
Good problem-solving skills | Y |
|
Ability to manage a 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 |
Details:
Deadline: Wednesday 29 November 2023, 12noon
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by e-mail by Friday 1 December 2023.
Those shortlisted will be invited for interview in person, in Birmingham, on Tuesday 5 December 2023.
Writing West Midlands regrets that, due to the large volume of applications we usually receive, we may be unable to contact non-shortlisted candidates or offer individual feedback.