DEPARTMENT: Fundraising and Communications s1

DEPARTMENT: Fundraising and Communications

JOB TITLE: Marketing Communications Officer

WORKING BASE: Samaritans’ General Office, Ewell, Surrey

DESCRIPTION UPDATED: February 2013

1. MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB  Provide specialist marketing communications to the wider organisation, including development of marketing communication plans for key projects.  Develops, manages, delivers and co-ordinates promotion of Samaritans’ strategic goals, brand and key messages to various audiences through campaigns, printed marketing materials and online channels, ensuring consistency of brand whether working with staff or volunteers.

2. POSITION IN ORGANISATION  Reports to Communications Manager.  Liaises closely with all General Office staff and has day-to-day responsibility for liaising with the volunteer Regional Marketing Officer (RMO) and Branch Publicity Officer (BPO) network and Functional Lead for Marketing.

3. SCOPE OF JOB  Writer: editorial services (copy creation, planning, proofing) across communication channels including website, electronic newsletters, publications.  Marketing specialist: creating corporate and template branch marketing campaigns and acting as the brand guardian.  Account manager: working with the design team on the creation of specific promotional campaigns to encourage branches to purchase from the on-line catalogue/utilise web-to- print templates, as well as managing the account relationship, budgets and meet financial targets.  Multimedia project manager: (films, animations, radio, podcasts etc.).  Volunteer supporter: Specifically working with Functional Lead for Marketing, Regional Marketing Officers (RMO) and Branch Marketing Officers (BMO).  Team player: General Duties of a Samaritans’ Staff Member.

4. DIMENSIONS AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY  Provides first line support and advice for staff and volunteers on all brand and marketing activities and projects.  Responsible for the day-to-day management of a project with over £100k income and direct expenditure (on-line catalogue).  Key role in shaping briefs, creative, messaging, targeting and delivery of campaigns, printed and online materials for a range of audiences.

5. QUALIFICATIONS  2-3 years marketing or communications work experience  Marketing, journalism or editorial qualification desirable

6. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE  Demonstrable and significant experience in marketing, journalism, editorial, publication production or wider communications role including use of briefs and schedules.  Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing a wide range of marketing/communications plans, channels and activities, and of providing these for internal and external clients.  Strong interviewing and copywriting skills, with experience of promoting brand values and key messages in a lively and accessible manner through a variety of formats including posters, leaflets, brochures, newsletters and digital.  High level of copyediting and proofreading ability including being able to see materials from the intended audience’s point of view.  Strong interpersonal skills and able to maintain positive relationships with a variety of people. Able to negotiate effectively with staff and volunteers to achieve objectives whilst clearly communicating progress and any issues of concern.  Proven ability to project manage own workload, including prioritisation and meeting deadlines.  Able to offer a high level of customer service.  Strong budget management skills.  Strong project management skills.  Experience of commissioning and managing external suppliers, e.g. for product catalogue, warehouse fulfilment.

7. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES  Creative approach to marketing communications work.  Well-organised, proactive, creative problem-solver able to prioritise own work.  Good eye for detail.  Confident and clear communicator in person, by email and on the phone.  Able to establish and maintain positive relationships with key GO staff and volunteers.  Flexible approach to supporting Communications Manager.  Prepared to undertake out of hours working (up to 12 weekends a year).

8. DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Writer: editorial services (copy creation, planning, proofing) across communication channels including website, electronic newsletters, publications  Provide a copywriting, planning, editing and proofreading service for all centrally-produced material intended for external audiences (print and online), including sourcing and managing freelance / agency support when required.  Identify, write and manage the use of caller and volunteer case studies.  Monitor and complete details of Samaritans in catalogues and other listings publications; to grant permission for use of our materials in other publications; and to answer telephone and email enquiries about Samaritans communications work from the general public.  Handle telephone and email enquiries from companies and general public requesting promotional materials.  Planning, research, copywriting and layout of monthly e-newsletter with fundraising to general public, ensuring messaging is targeted and relevant to audience.  Work with digital team on creation and updating content on Samaritans’ central website and other external online activity.

Marketing specialist: creating corporate and template branch marketing campaigns and acting as the brand guardian  Create corporate and template branch marketing campaigns.  Act as a brand guardian for campaigns, printed and online communications material produced by staff and volunteers.  Project manage all new centrally-produced print publications intended for external audiences – to include devising, agreeing and managing briefs and schedules, and liaising with all stakeholders through to the delivery of completed items to deadline and to budget.  Contribute to the creation, delivery and follow-up of corporate campaigns comprising face- to-face events, printed and electronic formats. Account Manager: To work with the design team on the creation of specific promotional campaigns to encourage branches to purchase from the on-line catalogue as well as manage the account relationship, budgets and meet financial targets.  Manage the content, promotion and fulfilment of the on-line catalogue for branches on a day-to-day basis.  Budget management, forecasting and planning of on-line catalogue.  Review print prices against profitability.  Review monthly stock sales, identify items for reprinting and clearance, discuss these with appropriate stakeholders and implement any text or design changes through to delivery of final items or disposal.  Work with design team on print and production of materials where required.  Produce stock / sales reports for internal staff.  Research and propose new items for inclusion in the catalogue, check against budget to ensure profitability.  Ensure regular promotional campaigns for the sale of on-line catalogue materials are conducted  Manage relationships with key suppliers such as writers, designers and agencies, delivering materials to budget and on time, including management of tender processes.  Manage day to day relationship with supplier for on-line catalogue including reviewing and negotiating the contract and arranging meetings through the year to ensure good working relationship. Multimedia project management (films, animations, radio, podcasts etc).  Directly produce content including text, imagery, audio and movie files.  Project manage all centrally-produced films, animations, radio and podcasts intended for internal and external audiences – to include devising, agreeing and managing briefs and schedules, and liaising with all stakeholders through to the delivery of completed items to deadline and to budget. Functional Lead for Marketing, Regional Marketing Officer (RMO) and Branch Marketing Officer (BMO) liaison.  Planning, research, copywriting and layout of marketing and publicity e-newsletters to volunteers responsible for marketing and publicity.  Act as the first point of contact within General Office for National Lead for Marketing, RMOs and BPOs.  Support the RMO and BPO network by administering and attending meetings and informing / consulting with them on recent and proposed marketing activity undertaken by the central charity.  Support the Communications Manager in strengthening the network of RMOs and BPOs throughout Samaritans.  Support the Communications Manager in engaging the RMOs in acting as brand guardians for their region.  Provides specialist support and advice for RMO and BPO network on brand and marketing matters.  Assist with the induction process for new RMOs and BPOs  Establish and maintain strong relationships with the volunteer body including attendance at key conferences and meetings across the UK and ROI (up to 12 weekends a year).

General Duties of a Samaritans’ Staff Member  Devise and maintain appropriate administrative processes to support the above.  Contribute to the effective and efficient running of the General Office as appropriate.  Participate, as appropriate, in staff forums and meetings.  Adhere to all Samaritans’ Polices and Procedures.  Represent the General Office appropriately across the movement and Samaritans to the wider community as appropriate.  Treat all colleagues, volunteers and members of the public with dignity and work within and adhere to Samaritans’ equal opportunities statement and polices.  Carry out any reasonable requests made that are within the broad remit of the role.