Marketing & Communications Assistant

Overall Purpose

The Marketing and Communications Department is responsible for maintaining and developing Canford’s prestigious brand and reputation with the school’s many different stakeholders including current and future parents, pupils and staff, community links and users of the school commercial facilities.  As a result, the team liaises with staff across the school as well as externally with the local community, feeder schools and suppliers of services.  It plays a crucial role in the recruitment of new pupils, working closely with the Admissions team and also liaises closely with the Development Department responsible for engagement with current and former families and supporting fundraising. 

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications and working with two Marketing and Communications Officers, the role of Marketing and Communications Assistant is a new position within the team.  It will be a busy, varied job which would ideally suit someone enthusiastic, quick to learn with a genuine interest in developing their career in marketing and communications as it involves many different elements of the marketing mix.  We are looking for a true team player who will enjoy working within a creative and forward thinking marketing department while also being confident to take the initiative and lead on individual projects.  The ability to be adaptable and flexible, work under pressure and to tight deadlines will be essential, as is an unflappable approach, an excellent eye for accuracy and detail and a good sense of humour.  Career progression to Officer level offers room for growth within the role.

Duties

EVENT MANAGEMENT

•  Support the team with the planning and execution of two Open Mornings each year for over six hundred visitors. Responsibility for all general administrative tasks including the creation of digital invitations and marketing materials such as posters and flyers, booking of school resources such as catering and co-ordination of displays. On the day co-ordination to ensure the event runs smoothly and post event analysis and follow up with attendees.
• Support the team with the planning and execution of individual feeder school workshops and events including SHINE and larger junior recruitment events
• Primary liaison with the sports administration team for the planning and execution of junior sports events including annual Sports Academies and junior tournaments
• Source and order promotional materials and merchandise for all marketing related events
• Promote events to the wider community
• Assistance at events organised by the Admissions and Development departments where needed

DIGITAL MARKETING AND MEDIA

• Create e-newsletters and e-shots to prospective families using Mailchimp and similar software
• Support the Marketing and Communications Officer responsible for digital marketing on website updating, social media content and any other digital tasks as required
• Support the Marketing and Communications Officer responsible for film and photography at shoots and events around school as part of the promotion of Canford life online
• Assist in updating third party content across printed material and digital platforms
• Work with the commercial team to promote the range of opportunities to the wider public

MARKETING COLLATERAL

• Be responsible for the school’s promotional stands and other event support material (signs, banners, and merchandise), ordering new stock as required and ensuring the timely supply of stock to events
• Develop and produce marketing materials from the brief stage through to execution, liaising with staff across the school and external design agencies where appropriate
• Support the team in the creation of the annual news to feeder schools including research for copy and sourcing of pupil images
• Support the team in the creation and publication of information to new joiners, liaising with staff across the school to update and distribute material
• Creation of the annual leavers film using digital software
• Assistance to the editor and designer of the annual school magazine ‘The Canfordian’ collating images and liaising with teaching and support staff as needed

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

• Lead management of general administrative tasks to ensure the smooth running of the office. This includes annual stock takes, maintenance of stationery supplies, filing, calendar management, mailshots and the arrangement of marketing storage.
• Taking meeting minutes as required 

Knowledge / Experience

• Proven track record in a busy office environment  (E)
• Proven organisational and project management skills  (E)
• Proven administrative experience  (E)
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint)  (E)
• Experience of work with design packages (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)  (D)
• Experience in website and social media content management  (D)
• Experience working with enewsletter software (Mailchimp)  (D)
• Experience working with photography and film equipment and editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro)  (D)
• Knowledge of the independent schools sector  (D)
• Excellent team player with the ability to work independently  (E)
• Excellent communications skills  (E)
• Excellent administrative and time management skills  (E)
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to learn new systems quickly  (E)
• High attention to detail  (E)
• A professional and highly organised approach  (E)
• Able to work on own initiative and be proactive  (E)
• The ability to work accurately and quickly under pressure  (E)
• A keen interest in marketing and communications  (E)
• An outgoing personality able to promote Canford positively at events  (E)
• The ability to build up effective working relationships with all staff  (E)
• Trustworthy and able to maintain confidentiality  (E)
• Keen to be part of a successful, creative friendly small team  (E)
• A flexible work approach with a willingness to learn new skills  (E)
• Full Driving Licence  (D)
• Lives locally  (D)
• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends  (E)

Canford School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo child protection screening.