MARKETINGMANAGER– WHITE ROCK THEATRE

Information for applicants –September 2009

COMPANY PROFILE

Qdos Entertainment Group is chaired by Nick Thomas. The company he created in 1986 is now one of the largest, broad-based entertainment Groups in the UK. Focused on family entertainment and traditional values, the Group has grown both organically and through a steady “buy and build” strategy. The company has three main trading divisions: Venues & Hospitality, Live Entertainment and Artiste Management. HQ Theatres is part of the company’s Venues & Hospitality division. The new Watford Colosseum contract will take HQ Theatres’ regional portfolio to eight venues, thereby consolidating its position as the second largest privately owned regional theatre operator in the UK. HQ Theatres currently manages The Cliffs Pavilion Southend, The Palace Theatre Westcliff on Sea, The Wyvern Theatre Swindon, The Beck Theatre Hayes, Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe, White Rock Theatre, Hastings and The Orchard Dartford.

Current theatre management contracts

HQ Theatres currently manage:

The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend( and the Palace Theatre, Westcliffe on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council under a fifteen year lease and management contract.

Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe( on behalf of Wycombe District Council under a ten year lease and funding agreement.

Wyvern Theatre in Swindon( behalf of Swindon Borough Council under a ten year lease and management contract.

Beck Theatre in Hayes( on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon under a fifteen year lease and management contract.

White Rock Theatre in Hastings( on behalf of Hastings Borough Council under a fifteen year lease and management contract

The Orchard Theatre in Dartford( on behalf of Dartford Borough Council under a twenty year lease and management contract.

HQ Theatres have been selected as the only preferred bidder for Watford Coloseum due to re-open in 2010, after an extensive refurbishment programme.

HQ Theatres aims to present the best in local, national and international theatre and concerts together with a host of other events of all kinds. Over 3000 events are presented annually throughout the seven venues, with two million tickets being sold for public performances.

The programme across all venues is a wide-ranging and diverse mix of the proven popular with the cutting edge. Examples include the nationally significant Swan Dance spring dance festival at Wycombe Swan, the International Classical Music Concert series at the Cliffs Pavilionand a series of mini-seasons in all the theatres featuring innovative work from small scale dance, drama, physical/visual theatre, music theatre and children’s companies.

An expanding programme of social and corporate events takes place throughout each venue and these events range from meetings and seminars to weddings and banquets and are fully serviced by the operations team including the theatre’s own catering company HQ Hospitality Ltd.

The White Rock Theatre is a 1066 seat presenting theatre offering an exciting programme of live music, comedy, drama, musicals, children’s shows and one night events.

Job Description

MARKETING MANAGER

Job Objective:To establish and lead a fully integrated marketing, and sales strategy for The White Rock Theatre, promoting the venue nationally and locally, delivering a customer focused ticketing service and maximising income.

Reporting to:Theatre Director

Responsible for:Marketing Assistant, Group Sales Officer,Ticket Office Manager, Deputy Ticket Office Manager and Ticket Office Assistants.

Key tasks:

Strategic Responsibilities
  • In collaboration with the Theatre Director formulate and implement a planned marketing and audience development strategy.
  • Lead on the development of a sales and customer relationship management strategy.
  • Oversee the creation of a business development strategy and ensure desired outcomes are achieved.
  • Establish excellent working relationships with key organisations and individuals including the media.
  • Represent the organisation at external and internal meetings.
Marketing Responsibilities
  • Devise and implement marketing and sales campaigns and ensure this information is communicated to the marketing ands sales teams.
  • Devise and compile the season brochure including writing copy and collating information, proofing the brochure and overseeing the print and distribution processes.
  • Ensure delivery of all marketing activity including; liaison with producers and promoters, copy writing, design, print, distribution, advertising, direct mail, internet and e-mail communication and promotional activity.
  • Establish an excellent understanding of the venue’s existing and potential audiences by implementing and maintaining a system of market research.

Development Responsibilities

  • Identify and capitalise on sponsorship opportunities from trusts, foundations, local businesses and individuals.
  • Maximise the potential for corporate hospitality opportunities.
  • Implement and develop a friends and corporate membership scheme.

Sales Responsibilities

  • Ensure clear communication of sales targets to the Ticket Office Manager and marketing department.
  • In collaboration with the Ticket Office Manager maximise income streams by managing ticket yield, implementing cross-selling techniques and developing group business.
  • In collaboration with the Ticket Office Manager manage the box office ticketing system to ensure good customer relationship management practice and effective patron data capture.

Financial Responsibilities

  • Control the budget for the marketing department, maintain spreadsheets of sales figures and approve settlement/recharges
  • Monitor the cost-effectiveness of all suppliers and services and ensure resources are managed effectively.

Staff Management

  • Manage, lead and motivate departmental staff ensuring the appraisal system is adhered to.
  • Communicate effectively with the marketing and Ticket Office teams via regular meetings.
  • Oversee recruitment and training of all staff.

Taking an active role in the department and organisation

  • Contribute to the aims of increasing & developing audiences.
  • Identify commercial opportunities for the organisation.
  • Increase level of knowledge of PCI and Mail Manager through training and practice.
  • Represent the marketing & administration departments as required at meetings.
  • Source training opportunities and allocating the marketing training budget.
  • Ensure that the Health & Safety Policy is promoted & adhered to.
  • Undertake any other duties as required, from time to time, to meet the needs of the business.

Essentials and Desirables

MarketingManager

Selection Criteria / Essentials / Desirables
Qualification & Training / Education to degree level or equivalent
Membership of a relevant professional body. / Range of vocational training relevant to arts marketing management.
Experience / At least 2 years experience of marketing in an arts venue.
Experience of devising and implementing marketing and sales strategies.
A track record of achieving commercial success in relation to income targets.
Budget management and financial monitoring. / Experience of dealing with sponsorship, fundraising.
Special aptitudes / Good managerial skills including line management of staff.
Self motivation.
Strong evidence of good oral skills and excellent communication and advocacy skills.
Commitment to and knowledge of customer care/service ethic.
Ability to problem solve quickly and independently. / Empathy for volunteers and the volunteer ethic within the arts and leisure environment.
Social skills/ Disposition / Enthusiastic and well organised.
Good personal presentation.
Sense of humour.
Flexible and able to work under pressure.
Prepared to take a hands on approach.
Car and clean driving licence.