Contract: Maternity Cover / 1 year contract / 3 days a week / 9am – 5pm
Start date: 3 January 2023. Up to 5 days available in December 2022 for induction.
Salary Band: £27,000 – £29,000 pro rata (depending on experience)
Responsible to: Head of Programming
Responsible for: Social Media Manager, Creative Director
Annual Leave: 25 days/year pro rata excluding public holidays

We are looking for a Marketing and Communication Manager (maternity cover). This role holds responsibility for the planning, management, development and implementation of marketing, sales and communications strategies, and delivering data-driven targets and sales. You will build brand awareness, drawing in diverse audiences (new and old, local and further afield).

Reporting to and working closely with the Head of Programming you will manage the Marketing team to organise marketing development and planning, as well as the customer service plan and other initiatives to improve the visitor experience at Poplar Union. You will also keep up to date on key policy and communication developments across the creative sector.

Key Objectives

Set, lead and deliver marketing and sales strategy, taking responsibility for effective delivery against target and budgets
Lead in use of Spektrix box office system as an organisation-wide tool, to inform decisions around pricing, maximise income generation, data capture and analysis, and brand and audience development
Raise awareness of the venue and its ongoing activities, based on an understanding of local communities, as well as audiences from a wider area
Create and implement a plan to maximise the potential of digital marketing to support programme reach
Work alongside the Programming leads to target key audiences and ensure that sales targets are met, and provide data-driven analysis for board reporting
Provide line-management, support and direction for the Marketing Team: Social Media Manager & Creative Director, including conducting regular appraisals and check-ins, reporting any HR issues and queries to the Business Manager and Head of Programming
Build the brand and profile of Poplar Union in all representations and marketing media and support the establishment of partnerships and collaborations
Support the day to day running of Poplar Union where required, and work as a team player
Develop Poplar Union’s local and regional positioning and identity across the cultural, creative and wellness sectors
Create and implement a plan to maximise the opportunity for building revenue and loyalty through a loyalty/ membership scheme/ merchandise strategy
Lead on growing donations (through Spektrix & website)
Plan and manage the marketing department’s annual budget in conjunction with the Head of Programming
Strategic Planning

Create a community outreach plan to further understand what the Poplar Community want to see/visit at Poplar Union
Coordinate regular market research and provide regular customer feedback using the results to inform planning
Create and update the Audience Development Plan and outreach strategy for the venue, with specific plans for targeting and engaging new audiences across all activity areas
Create effective and imaginative marketing campaigns which maximise ticket sales through targeting both current and prospective audiences, developing promotional opportunities in print and online, forming marketing and media partnerships and managing advertising and investment budgets to create a strong return on investment
Develop and manage the Press and PR strategy devising PR campaigns, writing press releases, handling press requests and devising and organising season launches
Communications

Manage and develop Poplar Union’s varied communication channels alongside the Social Media Manager, and ensure a consistent tone and style and appropriately targeted messaging
Lead and manage the development of a Brand Strategy for Poplar Union and ensure overall continuity of brand consistency and image
Measure the effectiveness of communications messages and channels on an ongoing basis and ensure there are mechanisms in place for providing feedback
Oversee and manage the website, its content and use of e-marketing strategies to support campaigns, including updating each seasons events as they are programmed
Develop and build on relationships with external partners/organisations through collaborative campaigns and events
Provide reports, project plans, budgets and other papers as required for the Board, funders, partners, potential sponsors and the Poplar Union Leadership team
Person Specification

Previous Experience

A proven track record in a similar/complementary marketing environment, with a minimum of three years’ experience
Experience of campaign planning, multi-tasking and working to deadlines
Experience of managing budgets, team management, hitting sales targets and maximising return on investment
Experience and understanding of data analysis and evaluation to meet business needs

Knowledge

A passion for, and knowledge of arts, culture and community
Good knowledge of how best to harness the power of traditional and digital marketing
A wide range of contacts and networks across the cultural and creative sectors is desirable
Knowledge of Spektrix, WordPress, Dotdigital

Skills/Competencies

Excellent written and spoken communication skills
The ability to think creatively, strategically and laterally
Strong social skills and an ability to network and deal with a range of people
Great organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
The ability to build and apply a brand identity across all platforms, ensuring a consistent house style
Staff/team management skills and the ability to motivate and develop team members

Personal Qualities

Creative and engaged
Enthusiastic
Demonstrably committed to engaging local communities with art, culture and wellness, and an understanding of the local Poplar community