MARKETING ASSISTANT

Full time, fixed-term for 6 months

Reporting directly to the Head of Marketing

JOB DESCRIPTION

CONTEXT

Opera North, established in 1978, is the award winning national opera company in the north of England with a strong reputation for innovation and engagement.

With headquarters in Leeds the Company receives funding to tour across the country. The touring programme (in Yorkshire, the North West, the North East and the East Midlands) places us at the heart of our communities where we are unique in providing this service; no other single performing arts organisation offers the quality, quantity and breadth of opera and musical theatre provided on a regular basis. The Company also tours to other parts of the UK and internationally on an occasional basis.

The Company delivers an eclectic programme of opera performances, orchestral concerts, commissions, collaborations (including ground breaking partnerships with Higher Education), cross art form work and education projects, engaging approximately 230,000 people of all ages each year.

Our mission is to:

§  Excite, challenge and entertain our audiences by producing work of the highest artistic

standards.

§  Deliver our work to the widest possible audience, acting as a resource for the communities in which we perform, and developing new audiences for our work.

§  Expand the boundaries of opera and challenge peoples’ expectations through, for example, collaborations with other art forms, including film, dance and visual art.

Main purpose of the job

The Marketing Assistant works closely with the Head of Marketing to ensure the delivery of marketing activity aimed at maximising income through ticket sales, raising wider awareness of the Opera North brand and its activities, and contributing to the growth and development of the Company.

Opera North is seeking an exceptional Marketing Assistant to support the busy Marketing Department with day-to-day activities across the breadth of the marketing mix. The role involves ensuring effective implementation of agreed campaigns across all platforms for main-stage operas, the Howard Assembly Room, orchestra activities and smaller scale Education and Project productions in Kirklees and our tour venues.

Person specification

We are seeking a flexible, pro-active and enthusiastic individual for this great opportunity. The successful candidate will be both creative and analytical. Able to assess and continually improve campaigns in order to reach target, and always focussed on end-goals, the Marketing Assistant will work well on their own initiative and also as a contributory member of the wider Marketing and Communications teams.

Duties and responsibilities

Marketing

§  Assist in the preparation of printed materials including collating/writing copy, proof-reading, editing and liaising with designers and printers

§  Prepare, clean and segment data for print campaigns

§  Assist with the distribution of marketing material

§  Administer direct mail campaigns

§  Pro-actively support and help to drive the development of the Under 30s membership scheme

§  Support the organisation and delivery of events including Under 30s events

§  Deliver on smaller projects as needed, in particular those surrounding orchestra activities and smaller-scale Education and Project productions in Kirklees

§  Log campaign activities, costs and results

§  Pro-actively participate in weekly sales and monthly marketing meetings

§  Support the Head of Marketing with research and projects

Digital marketing

§  Prepare, clean and segment data for email campaigns

§  Collate and write copy for email campaigns

§  Build email campaign templates according to briefs

§  Ensure website copy is up-to-date and engaging for specific marketing web pages, and in liaison with the Social Media & Website Executive

General/administrative duties

§  Maintain and clean the email marketing list on a regular basis

§  Provide assistance to other departments if/when required and in agreement with the Head of Marketing

§  Other duties as required and in agreement with the Head of Marketing

Key relationships

§  Marketing, Communications and Sales

§  Colleagues across the Company

Knowledge, skills and experience required

Personal attributes

§  Excellent interpersonal and team-working skills

§  Strong communication skills

§  Ability to work reliably under pressure, to prioritise and to meet deadlines

§  Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team

§  Ability to demonstrate professionalism at all times

§  Flexible and willing attitude

§  A fast learner who displays initiative and creativity

§  Enquiring, at ease with learning new things through initiative

Skills and experience

§  Educated to degree level and/or with a marketing qualification

§  Previous experience in a similar role in either the commercial, arts or voluntary marketing sectors

§  Excellent IT skills and confident user of Microsoft products, especially Excel

Desirable

§  Experience of using email marketing systems

Responsibilities of all staff members

§  To be aware of the work of other departments in the achievement of the aims of Opera North.

§  To take an active part in communicating and co-operating with other staff and departments.

§  To follow guidelines, procedures and policies provided by the company in relation to financial management and personnel records.

§  To work in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy of Opera North.

§  To be aware of, and comply with, rules and legislation pertaining to Health & Safety at work.

Terms and conditions

Salary: £16,500-£18,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Hours of working: Normally 09.30 until 17:30hrs, Mon-Fri

Some evening and weekend work will be required

Normal place of work: Opera North, Leeds

Holiday entitlement: 33 days annually (inc. 8 statutory holidays)

Pension: The Company offers a contributory pension scheme with an employer contribution of 5.5%