Communications Officer - St Peter Mancroft Church,

Background

St Peter Mancroft (SPM) is a major church in the heart of the city of Norwich. It has a full pattern of services and other congregational activities, and has a ministry to the civic, artistic and commercial life of the city. There are links to other organisations such as Norwich Food Bank and the Mancroft Advice Project. The church has a rich musical tradition, which includes its own recital series. It has a world-famous belltower, and a Ringing Discovery Centre. SPM also hosts a wide range of cultural and other events, overseen by an Events Coordinator.

The communications and publicity aspect of SPM’s life has developed in recent years to include a stronger online presence. This encompasses a website, a YouTube channel with live-streamed services and events, and social media accounts, as well as the more traditional printed weekly newsletter, and opportunities to display posters and banners on the churchyard railings. On occasion opportunities to work with local or national media arise, including TV and radio.

Role Description

The Communications Officer must work flexibly across the various information and publicity channels at SPM, making the most of opportunities as they arise and developing new approaches when needed. He or she must liaise closely with other staff colleagues and members of the church, so as to ‘tell the story of Mancroft’ back to its members and to the world. Remote working will be possible for much of this role, but there will be a need to be at the church and office at various moments. This role is line-managed by the Vicar. Support for this role is offered by volunteers within the life of the church, as well as colleagues in the Office and at the Church itself.

Specific areas of responsibility are: - Managing and updating the SPM website (using a simple content management system) - Operating the SPM Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, and developing other social media opportunities - Operating the SPM YouTube channel, including scheduling live-streamed services and events - Overseeing the SPM live-stream system - Maintaining an up-to-date online SPM presence on TripAdvisor, Google search, etc… - Preparing and publishing the weekly newsletter using Microsoft Publisher in collaboration with the Vicar and the Office team - Working proactively with local media channels such as Network, Norfolkplaces.co.uk, VisitNorwich, Allthingsnorfolk.com and the Iceni Post(.com), as well as EDP/Evening News, radio and TV, so as to promote the life of SPM - Liaising with national press and broadcast media when necessary - Assisting with the design and production of publicity-related print-work and posters/banners - Supporting the general promotion of SPM activities across all channels, and assisting colleagues in this - Ensuring the SPM ‘style guidelines’ are adhered to across the organisation

There may also be additional opportunities to create video content, for example pre-recorded acts of worship or publicity videos, and podcast-type materials.

Hours and Salary

15 hours per week; £700 per month

This is a permanent part-time employment position with holiday and pension entitlements. We hope to appoint someone to this role from 1st July 2021.

There may also be an opportunity to combine this role with one of the following: i) a part-time Office Administrator role (job-share with an established member of staff); this is currently 10 hours a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, working at the Church Office at the Chantry Hall; ii) a part-time Assistant Verger role based at the church building (hours negotiable).

Person Specification

We are seeking a new colleague who will share our enthusiasm for St Peter Mancroft’s vision, to be ‘in the heart of the city, with the city in our hearts.’ We believe this new colleague will need to meet the following requirements:

Essential

- an ability to communicate accurately and sensitively online and in print so as to uphold the reputation of St Peter Mancroft Church - the flexibility to carry out the requirements of this role, including the ability to work remotely and at non- rigid times - experience of operating social media accounts (either in a paid or in a voluntary capacity) - experience of using desk top publishing software - an understanding of the culture and values of an organisation such as St Peter Mancroft, and a sympathy with the Christian faith

Desirable

- experience of managing websites - experience in a church communications role

Training opportunities will be available as needed, to help develop skills and learning. We anticipate these will be provided in partnership with the Communications Department, and the ’s national comms resources, as well as courses provided by ChurchDesk.

Applying for this Role

Applications for this role are invited by Friday 21st May 2021. Please send an email to Edward Carter, the Vicar at St Peter Mancroft ([email protected]) explaining why you are applying for this role and how your experience and enthusiasm match the Role Description and the Person Specification. If you’d like more information or a chance for an informal chat about the role please also feel free to contact Edward.

We anticipate interviews will take place during the week commencing 31st May, and we hope our new Communications Officer will be able to start on 1st July.