Marketing & Press Officer - Castle Theatre - Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

Marketing & Press Officer - Castle Theatre - Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

Job Type: 25 hours per week (with potential growth to 40 hours full time)

Salary: £11.75 per hour

Castle Theatre is looking to recruit an experienced Marketing & Press Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team working on a wide variety of show campaigns and other projects across the many spaces available at Castle Theatre.

We are looking for an individual to help drive the growth of Castle Theatre, a venue that is utilised for so many different events as well as delivering a programme of productions and performances that attracts 1000’s of people from far and wide. Not only are we looking for someone to support the excellent engagement we have with our current customer base but with its varying spaces, the theatre will be looking to attract new ventures, different demographics and new audiences to make it an even more recognised venue in Northamptonshire. We also want to build on the relationships we have with other local businesses in order to attract sponsorship and funding possibilities.

With a 500 seat main house and an 80 seat studio theatre, this is an excellent opportunity for you to continue a career in communications, working on a wide variety of medium and small scale shows. The venue also prides itself on producing its very own pantomime which saw over 15,000 people visit in 2022, with the aspiration to produce even more in house work in the near future.

The Opportunity

• To work with the Marketing Manager to increase ticket sales and customer attendance across the wide spectrum of events the theatre hosts.
• Support all aspects of our shows marketing and promotional activities, from the setting up of on-sale social announcements, updating website content and post-show reporting.
• Support e-marketing activities including writing and designing regular emails.
• Working with the Marketing Manager on coordinating copy and image content for the Castle Theatre seasonal brochures x 3 per annum.
• Assist the Marketing Manager in setting up paid for social campaigns, such as Facebook Ads.
• Assist in the development of Castle Theatre’s digital and social media strategy. You will also be involved in creating, scheduling and posting content, checking comments and responding to messages.
• Work alongside the Marketing Manager to create and/or coordinate media, filming and photography needs for in-house productions
• Collaborate with colleagues to create, commission and distribute printed and digital promotional materials and liaise with external clients and agencies on designs and print advertising.
• Maintain Front of House promotional opportunities through the upkeep of digital screens, leaflets and poster displays
• Work with colleagues to create content and PR ideas for maximising positive media coverage for Castle Theatre relating to its shows and events, as well as its own venue led projects and initiatives.
• Write and distribute press releases
• Build target media lists and develop relationships with journalists and publications
• Co-lead on certain events the venue hosts in a calendar year (i.e in-house production and VIP nights)
• Identify opportunities to work with community influencers to help raise the profile of the venue.
• Manage the day to day delivery of press office function, including handling press enquiries, film requests and media on site.
• Support the Marketing Manager with regular reporting on campaign KPI’s and broader objectives.

The Person

• We are looking for a person with relevant experience and fresh ideas, the combination of which can help to move us forward as an arts and entertainment venue.
• Essential experience of working in a similar role and desirable experience of working in a theatre environment. Essential: educated to A-Level or equivalent.
• Desirable: education to degree level or equivalent.
• The candidate will have excellent communication and administrative skills, along with knowledge of marketing strategies (both traditional and digital). Knowledge of specific modern marketing tools such as Canva and Adobe applications is desirable.
• They will also have the ability to work well independently and as part of a team, as well as the ability to to show resilience under pressure.
• The candidate will have the ability to work flexible hours when required.

 What can Parkwood Theatres offer you?

• Competitive salary
• Generous annual leave
• Free gym membership for you and a nominated person
• Employee health cash plan
• Employee discount portal - discounts on travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Company sick pay
• Career progression
• Training and development

Parkwood Leisure is a well established business that is continuously growing. Successful applicants can look forward to joining a company that can offer career prospects and believes in investing in its people.

How to Apply

If you feel like you could bring some fresh ideas to the table we want to hear from you.  Please apply with a letter of application and CV.

Salary

• £15,333.75 annual salary for 25 hours p/week (£24,534 annual FTE), with increase after 6 months based on performance

Dates

• Closing date: Friday 7 April 2023
• Shortlisting date: 12 April 2023
• Interview dates: 17 & 18 April 2023