Festival Marketing and Communications Lead Rhu, Scotland
Job description
Please visit our website for further details, and to find out how to apply for this position.
About the Role
We are seeking an inspirational and experienced marketing and communications lead to develop and implement the marketing and branding for Sheffield DocFest festival encompassing the film programme, alternate realities exhibition, talks & Sessions and special events. They will also support and collaborate on PR campaigns with an external PR agency.
Reporting to the Director of Partnerships & Community, they will work collaboratively on organisational strategy and take the lead on audience development plans with a focus on increasing public engagement and reaching local audiences reflective of Sheffield communities. They will be passionate about film, TV, immersive and art, have a good knowledge of documentary, and possess a strong aptitude for balancing cultural and business objectives.
They will oversee the work of the Communications team, managing the Publications Editor as well as the external PR consultants. With the Communications Coordinator they will recruit a team of short-term contractors to deliver their campaign and audience development plans.
They will be adaptable and take a solutions-focused approach with the ability to make ad hoc decisions in a fast-paced, grass-roots environment.
The role is offered as a fixed term position for the 2023 edition of the festival, concluding 31 July 2023. Applications are welcome from individuals and organisations with relevant experience.
Salary £36,000 - £38,000 pro rata dependent on experience
Working hours 37.5 hours per week. During the festival longer hours are to be expected.
Other benefits The Workstation Quarter Card membership. Access to the employee assistance programme.
Key Responsibilities
Audience Development, Festival Image and Identity
● Lead on developing and implementing the marketing and branding campaign for
Sheffield DocFest festival (14-19 June 2023)
● Collaborate with internal senior programmers and curators to devise and deliver bespoke audience development plans (B2C) for public access programmes, including the overall Film,, Alternate Realities, Talks and Sessions Programmes, Industry activity and Special Events;
● Manage the creative brief and external and internal Festivals graphic designers to promote and develop the Sheffield DocFest brand across all material and digital assets; working with programmers and curators to review tone of voice and update style guide ensuring that it is consistently adhered to across internal and external platforms and partner communications;
● Plan to grow public audiences with consideration of pandemic impact data regarding return to events/cinemas and other audience trends;
● Collaborate with the Head of HR & Participation to ensure that audience and industry development plans align with, and support the delivery of the organisation’s Diversity and Inclusion plan and devise local outreach strategies;
● In collaboration with the Managing Director, set the strategy and devise the PR plan with the Festival’s contracted PR consultants, and act as the key contact between PR consultants and the wider programming team and high-profile Festival Guests; contribute to drafting and proof-reading press releases as required;
● Lead on the Festival’s Programme Launch, and on any other promotional events and networking receptions in the pre-Festival campaign phase;
● Develop Sheffield DocFest’s destination tourism offer, in conjunction with local and regional tourism bodies and the Sheffield City Council;
● In consultation with the Managing Director and the Head of Production & Operations, set the ticket pricing and sales strategies, occupancy targets and other KPIs, and devise a system for maximising occupancy across pass-holders and single session ticket-buyers;
Strategy and partnerships
● Understand and contribute to the strategic plan for the Festival and to the business plans underpinning that strategy;
● Lead the organisation’s cross-team Editorial and Audiences working group and be the advocate for audience-minded thinking and decision-making within the organisation
● Maintain existing and established marketing, media and cross-promotional partnerships, and cultivate new key relationships;
● Lead on strategic planning for organisational discounts and promotions; negotiate organisation discounts with local restaurants and shops for delegates and festival attendees;
● Service funding and sponsorship agreements with regard to branding and marketing as advised by the Director of Partnerships & Community; ensure venues are dressed, branding needs are met, and that partner events are professionally presented;
● Arrange in-kind partnership exchanges with other organisations websites for digital advertising and logo placement, working collaboratively with Head of Production and
Operations to ensure Venue Partnerships are structured to maximise cross-promotion partnerships.
Team management, operations and production
● Lead and manage the Communications team including task management of the
Communications Coordinator and oversight of several short term festival delivery roles; where relevant, collaborate with the Communications Coordinator and Head of
HR & Participation to devise recruitment plan for the team;
● In collaboration with the Head of Production & Operations, set and manage timelines and milestones for the Marketing and Communications team, ensuring that these are communicated with the wider Festivals team and that relevant deadlines are met;
● Devise both the public and industry social media and e-comms strategy; with the
Communications Coordinator to build and write sales, advertising and promotional materials, social posts and newsletters and be willing to undertake these activities, including copywriting, when required;
● Manage the front end of the Sheffield DocFest website including supplying content, leading on narrative, messaging and layout; delegate the uploading of content to the website and regular e-news;
● Manage the Publications Editor to ensure smooth delivery of the design, layout and production of all festival publications;
● Manage the production and delivery of AV materials including clip reels, trailers and moving idents and supervise asset management;
● Ensure marketing and press opportunities are leveraged, liaise with rights-holders, cultural partners and media outlets to maximise exposure
● Oversee recruitment and briefing of photographers and videographers documenting the festival;
● With the Managing Director, manage the Marketing and Communications budget, ensure the Festival’s sales revenue is maximised and that cost-savings are achieved wherever possible; negotiate with designers, agencies and suppliers achieving cost-efficient production and delivery of marketing materials;
● With the Director of Partnerships & Community, oversee all evaluation / impact / audience analysis to ensure coherent and effective feedback and data collection for post festival reporting;
● Post-festival, provide internal debrief document with up to date final audience and marketing data, suggest recommendations for improvement as applicable, and attend post-festival debrief day;
This list is not exhaustive and the scope of the role may include other reasonable and relevant tasks to fulfil festival marketing in 2023.
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 5 months
Salary: £36,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Application deadline: 17/02/2023
