PR & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (maternity cover)
APPLICATION PACK

Thank you for your interest in the post of PR & Communications Officer (maternity cover) at Salisbury Playhouse. Please find a job description, person specification, application form, equal opportunities monitoring form and information regarding the Playhouse attached. For further information about the theatre please visit our website at www.salisburyplayhouse.com

To apply for the post, please complete the application form and send it to or by post (marking the envelope with the code PRC) to:

Administration Department

Salisbury Playhouse

Malthouse Lane

SALISBURY

SP2 7RA

The closing date for applications is 9am on Thursday 2 February 2017. Interviews are planned to take place during the week commencing 13 February; please advise in your application if you are NOT available during this period.

If you wish to have an informal conversation before applying, please contact Tim Croall, Head of Communications & Sales, on 01722 345154.

We regret we are unable to acknowledge receipt of applications. However, we will endeavour to inform you by e-mail within three weeks of the closing date if your application has been unsuccessful.

We look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in Salisbury Playhouse.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Salisbury Playhouse strives to be an Equal Opportunities employer. The aim of this policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, class, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, trade union activity, political or religious belief. Selection criteria and procedures will be kept under review to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. All employees are required to comply with, and actively promote, this policy.

ACCESS

If you would like to submit your application in another format we would be happy to accommodate this. Please contact Howard Meaden on 01722 345173 or email: so that suitable alternatives can be discussed. Please also advise us of any special requirements needed to facilitate your participation in an interview should you be shortlisted.

APPLICATION GUIDANCE NOTES

Job Description and Person Specification

Please read the person specification and job description carefully. You should ensure that you meet all the essential criteria before submitting an application. Use the person specification as a guide to completing the section of the application form entitled 'Information in Support of Your Application'

Please type on this form or write clearly and legibly in black ink.

Please complete the form in detail. No CVs will be considered.

Data Protection

The information given on this form will be used to create a shortlist for interviews. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process. This application form will be kept on file for a maximum of twelve months and then destroyed. Should any job opportunities arise in the future for which we think you may be suitable, we may send you application details about the vacancy. In addition, we may contact you in the future for feedback on our recruitment procedures. Signature of the application forms indicates your consent to the data being used in this manner.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

To help us monitor our equal opportunities policy, we would be grateful if you could complete the enclosed Equal Opportunities monitoring form. When your application is received, this form is removed and is not used during the short-listing process. The information submitted is kept in the strictest confidence, following Data Protection requirements, and will only be used to monitor and analyse the progress of the Theatre's Equal Opportunity Policy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE PR & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
(MATERNITY COVER) - FIXED TERM
Commencing March 2017

RESPONSIBLE TO HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS & SALES

The PR & Communications Officer is part of the Communications & Sales Team that includes: Head of Comms & Sales, Digital & Comms Officer, PR & Comms Officer, Sales & Comms Assistant and the Ticket Sales Team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

·  PR

·  Media

·  Marketing

·  Administration

These responsibilities involve a number of key activities as outlined below:

PR

·  To devise PR plans to secure coverage for all the Playhouse’s productions in the Main House and Salberg theatres

·  To manage the Playhouse’s PR & media activity; devising and implementing campaigns to secure positive coverage of all the theatre’s activities.

·  To liaise with PR reps of incoming visiting productions.

·  To co-ordinate press nights, launches and other PR events.

·  To play an active role with corporate sponsors and donors, maximising PR for their support.

Media

·  To be the Playhouse’s representative and first point of contact for the local, regional and national media.

·  To maintain regular contact and develop relationships with regional newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.

·  To write targeted press releases for distribution to media contacts.

·  To ensure the media list contact database is regularly updated.

·  To pitch ideas to journalists for features/interviews to promote productions.

·  To manage all social media communications for Playhouse activity (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Flickr).

·  To compile regular online blogs, working with rehearsing companies and other departments.

·  To co-ordinate the filming and circulation of video material (e.g. rehearsal footage, trailers, audience voxpops).

·  To work with the Take Part and Development (fundraising) departments to secure coverage of their work.

Marketing

·  To work with the Communications team on campaign planning.

·  To ensure listings information is supplied regularly to appropriate outlets.

Administration

·  To arrange and supervise photo calls for productions, liaising with photographers, directors, stage management etc.

·  To arrange and supervise all photography, including rehearsals and production shoots at dress rehearsals.

·  To co-ordinate the gathering and circulation of press cuttings for archives, Board members, cast and creative teams.

Other

·  To always act in the best interests of Salisbury Playhouse

·  To take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the work of Salisbury Playhouse

·  To agree to abide by Salisbury Playhouse policies as set out in the Staff Handbook

·  To maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Salisbury Playhouse

·  To be flexible and to undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by Management.

CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION

Essential

·  Experience of working with local media, preferably in an arts-based environment

·  Excellent copywriting and communication skills

·  An ability to generate original ideas for PR campaigns

·  Experience of using social and digital media as PR tools

·  An attention to detail

·  An interest in theatre

Desirable

·  Experience of dealing with national media journalists

·  An awareness of issues relating to arts funding and the theatre industry

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary £19,000 per annum pro rata

This is a fixed term maternity cover position for 10 months commencing March 2017 (exact dates to be agreed). The contract may be extended by mutual agreement.

Hours of work Based on a 40 hour week (Mon-Fri). Due to the nature of the role, sometimes there will be a requirement to work additional evenings (e.g. Press Nights) for which time off in lieu should be taken.

There is no paid overtime.

Holidays 28 days per year (including 8 Public Bank Holidays).

Probationary period Three months, during which the notice period is one week on either side.

Notice period Following completion of a successful probationary period, the notice period is three months.

January 2017

APPLICATION FORM FOR THE POST OF PR & COMMS OFFICER (maternity cover)

This form should be completed as fully as possible. You may continue any section on to additional sheets of paper if necessary.

Personal Information
Name:
Address:
Tel No: (Day) / Tel No: (Evening)
Email:
National Insurance Number:
If you have no National Insurance number do you have evidence of your entitlement to live and work in the UK? / Yes / No
If yes please detail evidence:
Do you have a valid driving licence? / Yes / No
Do you have any convictions not considered spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974? / Yes / No
If yes please give details:
Where did you hear about this position?
DECLARATION
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge, the information given in this application is correct and I understand that it will be treated as part of any subsequent Contract of Employment.
Signed: / Date:
Education/Qualifications
Please include details of schools/colleges attended, dates and qualifications achieved
School/College / Dates / Qualification / Grade
Employment History
Please give details of your employment history (paid or voluntary), starting with your most recent post.
Job Title & Organisation / Dates / Responsibilities
Additional Information
Please list any other skills, qualifications, or interests which may be appropriate for the post:
Supporting Statement
Please explain why you would like this post, stating what qualities you think you can bring to the job and give any additional information you feel supports your application. This will enable us to see how your particular skills match up to the requirements of the job. It is, therefore, important that you tell us as much as possible about yourself in relation to all the items listed in the skills and experience section of the job description.
REFERENCES
Please give the names and addresses of two referees, one of whom should be your present employer, if applicable:
Name:
Address:
Tel No:
Email:
Relationship to referee:
May we request a reference prior to an offer of work? / Yes / No
Name:
Address:
Tel No:
Email:
Relationship to referee:
May we request a reference prior to an offer of work? / Yes / No
EQUAL OPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM
Salisbury Playhouse is committed to equality and as part of this process we need to monitor applicants.
The information requested on this form is required solely for this purpose and it in no way influences the recruitment and selection process. No name is to be given on the forms and completion is entirely voluntary; non-completion will have no effect on the consideration of your application. The information collected on this form is confidential and will be separated from your application form on arrival.
Age: / Under 25 / 25-34 / 35-44 / 45-54 / Over 64
Gender: / Male / Female / Transgender / Other / Prefer not to say
Sexual Orientation: / Bisexual / Gay/Lesbian / Heterosexual / Other / Prefer not to say
Religion or belief:
Do you have a disability? / Yes / No
If yes please give details:
Ethnic Make up
White / Chinese
British
Irish / Dual heritage:
Any other White background / Asian and White
Black African and white
Asian or British Asian / Black Caribbean and White
Asian Bangladeshi / Chinese and White
Asian Indian
Asian Pakistani / Any other background from more than one group
Any other Asian background
Any other Ethnic Group
Black or British Black
Black African
Black Caribbean
Any other Black background

Thank you for completing this form, please return with your application for employment.