ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
Part of the University of Glamorgan Group
Copywriter/In-house Journalist x 0.6fte - (Ref: RWC181)
(Maternity cover)
Fixed Term until September 2013
(or upon the return of the substantive post-holder)
Salary: £22,475 – £26,004 per annum, pro rata
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is seeking a Copywriter/In-house Journalist to work as part of the marketing team. You will have an understanding of and an enthusiasm for a wide range of media, and an ability to produce engaging and accurate content to suit digital and traditional environments. The post is a fixed term maternity cover position.
CLOSING DATE: 12 October 2012
FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE POST OF Copywriter/In-house Journalist x 0.6fte
Eligibility to work in the UK
RWCMD has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
For academic and research vacancies or those that require highly specialised skills and qualifications, we will often be able to obtain a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ for a suitably qualified applicant who is not currently eligible to work in the UK, if there are no suitable ‘resident’ candidates i.e. European Economic Area.
For vacancies that are not academic, research or highly specialist, however, it is extremely unlikely that a certificate of sponsorship would be granted. It is an essential requirement that before submitting an application form you confirm your eligibility by visiting the Home Office website http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/. Here you will find useful information on the Points Based Immigration System, along with a convenient Points Calculator.
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
RWCMD is the only institution in the UK that provides specialist conservatoire training in music, acting, theatre design, stage management and arts management. We’re a diverse, inclusive community and have a unique mix of students working alongside each other – musicians, actors, designers and stage managers. Our students work in a down-to-earth, friendly environment and receive excellent levels of support and encouragement from a wide network of professionals. We aim to help our students develop their talents to the full and acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable them to develop and sustain a successful professional career.
Our graduates can be found working in theatres, opera houses, concert halls, film, TV and radio all around the world – many at the leading edge of their profession and shaping the future of those professions. Our teachers have a wealth of professional experience as both teachers and as leading practitioners in the arts industry. The College collaborates with leading arts and cultural organizations, visiting artists and directors to ensure that our environment reflects the current practices and conditions of the professional world. We also draw on a prestigious roster of Honorary Fellows to inspire and advise our students.
In June 2011 the College opened a £22.5 million suite of world-class training and performance facilities. These will help ensure that the college continues to provide the highest possible conservatoire training. The new facilities include the 400-capacity Dora Stoutzker Hall, the 180-seat Richard BurtonTheatre, as well as four Acting and Movement studios and the Linbury Gallery in which the College will exhibit its award winning design activity.
In the autumn of 2010 a new suite of programmes was launched to complement the existing undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These included a new BMus programme with specialised pathways n Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Composition and Creative Music Technology. Jazz Studies - a dedicated award - has been created at both undergraduate and postgraduate level
A number of the programmes build on our well established and respected postgraduate diploma awards. Several involve working across both the music and drama disciplines and have been developed as a result of strategic industry partnerships. The programmes will be delivered by industry professionals together with academic teaching staff who maintain their professional profile through research and scholarly activity.
· MA Acting for Stage, Screen & Radio
· MA Musical Theatre
· MA Opera Performance
· MA Theatre Design
· MA Stage Management
· MA Events Production
· MA Scenic Arts & Construction for Stage & Screen
The developments in the portfolio will ensure that future graduates of the College are equipped with the very best skills needed to meet the changing needs of industry and to provide employers with the flexible and creative workforce they require.
In 2007, the College entered into a strategic alliance with the University of Glamorgan becoming part of the University of Glamorgan Group.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to: Marketing Manager
Main purposes of job:
The post holder will be expected to make a significant contribution to the work of the communications team at the College. They will be expected to develop original content for use in college publications (print, electronic and press) including the Backstage Blog, college website, college prospectus and social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. They will also be expected to liaise with staff across all departments as well as students from across the College. They will need to discover and develop stories for use in the marketing and communications activities of the College
They will be part of a communications team which aims to increase understanding of the College’s activities and strengthen its brand positioning amongst target audiences including potential students, their parents and teachers, professionals within the performance industries, former students, and supporters.
Principal responsibilities & duties:
· To research and write feature articles for the College’s website, blog and other publications
· To conduct interviews with students, staff, past students and fellows
· To provide ongoing editorial, copywriting and proofreading services for a range of media including the prospectus, blog, website, advertising, social media, etc.
· To work with external design agencies to produce a number of corporate publications
· To compile/commission photography to complement features as appropriate
· To develop and maintain web pages on the College’s website in collaboration with the College’s marketing team.
· To enhance the College’s communication with students, prospective students and audiences through social media services
· To contribute to the College Marketing and Communications Team.
· To input into the development of the College’s communication strategy.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential / Desirable
a) Excellent communication skills both oral and written
b) Accurate and fast word-processing skills and facility in the use of information technology as an administrative tool
c) High level of interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to colleagues at all levels, students and members of the public with tact and diplomacy
d) Organisational and administrative abilities, with an established track-record in problem solving
e) Ability to establish routines and systems and to maintain them with accuracy and attention to detail
f) Ability to plan and organise own workload, meet deadlines and work under pressure on own initiative / l) Ability to speak and write in the Welsh language
m) Ability to format documents to a professional standard
n) Knowledge of website construction and maintenance
KNOWLEDGE
Essential / Desirable
g) A sound educational background, to “A” level or BTEC standard as a minimum
h) A relevant qualification (HND or above) in Marketing (or a related discipline) or relevant, professional work experience
i) Knowledge of a wide range of IT packages, including Excel, Word and Office 2000 and database/DTP packages / o) Education to degree level
p) Experience of working in a busy Marketing and / or communications environment
q) Knowledge of journalism and/or marketing techniques
EXPERIENCE
Essential / Desirable
j) An understanding of Welsh Language considerations given the College’s position in a bilingual nation / r) Knowledge of the Higher Education sector, the professional arts environment, and/or a Conservatoire / Drama school environment
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential / Desirable
k) Enthusiasm for the post and the work of RWCMD
When completing the application form candidates are required to highlight their suitability for the post by referring their application details to the essential/desirable requirements set out in the Person Specification. This information will be used in deciding those to be shortlisted.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The successful applicant will be appointed to the post of Copywriter/In-house Journalist x 0.6fte in the service of the RWCMD.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE
Your continuous service will commence on your first day of employment at RWCMD. RWCMD does not recognise continuous service with other employers in any respect except in accordance with the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order as amended.
STAFF APPRAISAL AND DEVELOPMENT
You will be required to participate in the Staff Appraisal and Development Scheme for Support Staff.
This Scheme is the means by which your individual work objectives will be set, annually. It is also the means by which your learning, training & development needs will be identified to support you, throughout your employment with RWCMD, in the achievement of your objectives. The College expects a commitment to such personal development from all its staff, and it is intended that this should be planned, and effectively evaluated to assess its impact upon performance.
Staff Training & Development is therefore recognised as a fundamental part of the College’s Human Resources Strategy and is an important key to the achievement of the College’s Vision and Strategic Goals.
GRADE/SALARY
The post is graded Grade D and the salary is currently £22,475 - £26,004 per annum, pro rata. Common practice is to appoint people to the minimum of the grade.
TENURE
This post is a fixed term appointment until September 2013 (or upon the return of the substantive post holder).
PROBATION
New entrants to the service of the College are appointed subject to a probationary period of not normally more than 6 months, during which time we will seek to confirm their suitability for the post.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
All posts in the College are offered subject to medical clearance. If appointed, you will be required to complete a questionnaire (confidential to the College’s Medical Adviser) detailing your medical history and you may be requested to attend a medical examination.
HOURS OF WORK/WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The post-holder will be contracted to work 22.2 hours per week.
However, a Scheme of Flexible Working Hours is in operation, and is based on 4-weekly Accounting Periods of 148 hours. Staff are expected to arrange their times of work to have regard to personal workload, the overall pattern of work in their work location, the wishes of the Head of Department and cover for the Office Opening Hours (which are 0830 - 1700 Mondays - Thursdays, and 0830 - 1630 Fridays).
The successful applicant will be provided with a copy of the Operating Rules.
LEAVE
The annual leave entitlement is 22 days plus statutory, pro rata and other holidays per annum.
PENSION ARRANGEMENT
You will have the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme and contributions will be made at rates of between 5.5% and 7.5% of gross salary dependent into which pay band your salary falls; or you can take out apersonal pension with an approved provider.
TERMINATION
The appointments are terminable upon one month’s notice from the individual or the College may give you 1 month’s notice between 1 month and 4 years service; thereafter, one week's notice for each year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks notice.
HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they may have an effect. All staff must co-operate with the University in achieving its Health and Safety objectives. More detailed generic responsibilities are included in Appendix 7.3 of the University health and safety policy.
APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE
Referees
Candidates should note that the University of Glamorgan Group normally contacts referees for those shortlisted without further advice to candidates.
If you do not wish a referee/s to be contacted, prior to interview, you should state this clearly.
Internal candidates should supply details of one referee only, being their Head of Department or Line Manager.
External candidates will be asked to supply three referees.
PROGRESS OF APPLICATIONS
If you are successful in being selected for interview for the above post, you will be notified within 6 weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by this date, then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and to wish you luck in your application.
CLOSING DATE: 12 October 2012
Ref: RWC181