Head of Marketing & Communications

Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 40 hours a week

Location: 376 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6AX

Reports to: Deputy CEO/CEO

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Marketing & Communications to join our team based in Greater Manchester.

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to create school places for children living in poverty in the developing world.

We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing quality sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.

We created our first school in 1994 with a single classroom of 25 children, while as of this academic year we are now running almost 400 schools, in which over 100,000 children study, almost 10% of whom are orphaned by father or both parents. However, with a global shortage of classrooms in the millions, there is still much to do to achieve universal education.

Purpose of Job

The Head of Marketing & Communications will lead on all of the organisation’s marketing and communications activities, from social media and digital campaigns to advertising and creative projects. Main responsibilities will include developing plans to help establish the brand, allocating resources to different projects, and setting short term and long-term goals for the department. At this time of growth, you will lead the delivery of a global marketing and communications strategy to build the organisation’s brand and reputation and increase revenues. This will include emerging markets in which we seek to grow our presence. He/she will act as a leader and expert, managing a multidisciplinary team and balance resources effectively. He/she will work with the executive leadership team to develop and deliver clear and consistent communications plans across fundraising and public engagement through all platforms for all audiences.

Main Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading on the delivery of a global marketing and communications strategy to build the organisation’s brand and reputation along with increasing revenue.
• Managing the brand to ensure consistent communication of the organisation’s mission and values across all channels and ensure that the integrity of the brand is maintained.
• Working with relevant stakeholders to, develop and deliver communications plans across fundraising and public engagement through all media platforms for all audiences.
• Developing strategies for all the Mar Comms team, including external agencies across digital, advertising, communications and creative content.
• Identifying and utilising a range of marketing channels to deliver results including direct and digital marketing.
• Identifying new market opportunities to diversify revenue in line with the global strategy.
• Managing, monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of all marketing/communications activity and lead on the strategic development of the Mar Comms strategy.
• Managing the marketing budget ensuring a significant ROI and regularly review and adjustment.
• Being a visible and proactive spokesperson and ambassador for the organisation.
• Developing processes to ensure the smooth functioning of the Mar Comms team.
• Developing and implementing processes to ensure the smooth functioning of the Mar Comms team and content creation across multiple channels.
• Managing a team of marketing and communications.
• Expanding partnership with social media influencers to increase the organisation’s brand reach and strength.
• Writing/overseeing the writing of media lines, core scripts, briefs, speaking notes, articles, case studies, copy for digital and print.
• Collaborating with the Programmes department and the wider organisation to ensure consistent messaging and the organisation speaks with one voice throughout its external communications.
• Supporting all our fundraising initiatives globally and locally.
• Complying with GDPR, IOF and any other relevant codes of conduct

Person Specification

• Relevant Bachelors or Master’s Degree (i.e., Marketing, Digital Marketing, Multimedia Journalism etc) and/or CIM level 5 or relevant experience
• Minimum 3 years+ in a marketing/communications management role
• Experienced in managing internal stakeholders and external third-party partners, including agencies
• Proven track record in development and delivery of strategic communication and marketing across a range of budgets and channels.
• Experience managing a multidisciplinary team including content creators/designers
• Experience leading on and evaluating the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
• Experience in digital marketing, copy editing, content creation and web optimisation
• Project management at national and global level
• Experience utilising Google Analytics for analysis and reporting
• Able to set, follow and enforce MarComms policy, such as brand guidelines and tone of voice documents
• Understanding of Adobe Suites
• Proven experience in securing national and international level media coverage through proactive and reactive engagement with journalists
• Excellent understanding of social media in a professional setting and how to leverage social media including paid social (strong understanding of Meta Business required)
• Advanced knowledge of essential digital marketing tools and technologies.
• Articulate written, visual, and verbal communicator, excellent copy accuracy and proofreading skills
• Ability to identify powerful human-interest stories which showcase the organisation’s work
• Knowledge of media and marketing legislation, copyright law, GDPR, the Fundraising Regulator and Charity Commission Information
• Strong leadership skills- ability to empower colleagues and build capacity
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and balance competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proven stakeholder management skills
• Strong understanding of content management systems and web optimisation
• Understanding of political, business and investment climate in UK, Canada and/or USA
• Understanding of humanitarian and international development sector, especially the context of education in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and the UK.
• Strong written and spoken English
• Additional languages are desirable
• Understanding and experience of working with GDPR rules, information and copyright laws and child protection rules.
• Experience of working with culturally sensitive topics, ensuring dignity of the beneficiary is maintained.

Benefits

The position also comes with the following benefits:

• 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays)
• Awards for employee of the year
• Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments
• Investment in training, professional growth and development
• Occupational Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working options available
• READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.
• Annual away days/retreats involving training, teambuilding, outdoor and social activities.
• Free parking in a central location

This would be an ideal role for a dynamic Marketing & Communications professional looking to make a difference in a rewarding leadership role within the Charity Sector. We are looking to appoint this role ASAP and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis so for the best chance of success please apply today.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks,

Note: This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities may vary from the particulars of this job description.