Dancing Shadows: Paul Blakemore
Communications Manager (Creative Technology)
Closing Date: Thu 11 April, 17:00 BST
On this page
Applications
Please apply online, or alternatively, download the application form in Word and email it to hr@watershed.co.uk.
Do get in touch if you would like any of this information, or wish to apply, in another format.
Please do not include your CV as it will not be considered. Please put all relevant information on your application form.
Before you apply
Watershed's first value is Inclusive – We listen to and learn from our community, creating equity and addressing harm where it occurs. The information below lays out some of the steps we are taking to create a more inclusive recruitment process. Many of these steps are new to us, so feedback and questions are very welcome.
You may not have worked in a cultural organisation before, or in an organisation like Watershed. Please still consider applying as many other sectors offer transferable contexts.
If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the culture sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism or you are a disabled person (as defined by the Equalities Act 2010), or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - and you would like support to articulate how your experience is transferable to this role, you can book time with us to discuss it. We will ensure the person you meet is not involved in the recruitment process. Please request this by emailing hr@watershed.co.uk (we will not ask you to disclose your background).
We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity and welcome applications from those who bring balance to our team. Watershed welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do. Supporting our staff means they are not appointed to represent specific groups or organisations.
Job description
- Position
- Communications Manager (Creative Technology)
- Grade
- 2
- Salary
- £31,735 per annum
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract type
- Fixed Term - 2 years
- Responsible to
- Senior Communications Manager
- Location
- In the building. Hybrid working option available (part working in the building and part remote). This post is not suitable for full remote working.
Purpose of job
Manage the marketing and communication for Watershed’s Creative Technology programme (including Immersive Arts, Undershed, the Pervasive Media Studio and other projects) with the aim of growing engagement from all respective audiences and stakeholders. Working alongside the other Communications Manager and the Senior Communications Manager and with members of the Creative Team and partners you will develop networks, build audiences and share insight and research.
Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager you will work collaboratively alongside the other Communications Manager to effectively profile the work of Watershed and maximise opportunities with your key area of responsibility being creative technology.
Organisational priorities supported by this role include:
- The public creative programme, including immersive content in our new Undershed immersive gallery, the cultural cinema programme (including events, festivals and screenings), and unique festivals, showcases and artist-commissioned work (both small scale and large) from the Pervasive Media Studio and partners.
- Project work including international commissions such as Playable City, partnerships programmes (such as Immersive Arts) and talent development work.
The Communications team and its work has a vital part to play in the success of the organisation, working to promote and develop audiences and profile across a whole spectrum of cross-artform projects and venue requirements.
Watershed curates an artistic programme that is both contemporary and also pushes at the fringes of what art is in modern society. Watershed attracts 300,000 visitors each year, consistently hits annual cinema visitor targets of c.170,000 and delivers audiences to new multi-disciplinary artistic commissions. Communicating this work effectively requires passion, expertise and a high level of care in nurturing artists that produce new work and the audiences that will attend.
At any one time the team could be working on a large-scale one-off event or festival, a small scale artist commission, a new technology showcase or an international partnership. Cutting through all of this work is a brand that is authentic, generous, passionate and welcoming. The inclusive organisational ethos and culture of Watershed as an organisation is reflected in the approach taken by the Communications Team, who work side-by-side with programming and producing colleagues and venue teams to engage with new audiences, whilst also retaining long-standing audiences and customers.
With the recent announcement of Immersive Arts, a £6million UK-wide programme supporting artists to make extraordinary immersive work, and Undershed, our immersive gallery, we are looking for a Communications Manager with experience of working in, and strong networks across, creative technology to join the Watershed team to play a key role in telling stories and developing audiences’ appetite for this area of our work.
Main responsibilities
- Develop and deliver an effective communications strategy across the creative technology programme (including digital, marketing, advertising, and PR) that deepens audience engagement and develops a strong audience base in collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager, Communications Manager and key members of the Creative Team.
- Create and implement successful marketing, press and profile raising campaigns for Watershed’s Creative Technology programme in collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager and Communications Manager.
- Lead on the production and publishing of marketing and publicity material related to the Creative Technology programme.
- Ensure that the relevant data is effectively and efficiently captured for organisational reporting, project evaluation and measuring success related to the Creative Technology programme.
- Develop relationships with external partners for cross marketing opportunities.
- Support the legacy of Watershed’s work in Creative Technology through consideration of how learning can feed into other areas of work
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the organisation’s communications strategies.
Key performance indicators
- Creative technology audiences are targeted, developed and nurtured.
- Marketing projects and campaigns meet intended targets and outcomes.
- External relationships with a wide range of contacts and partners are developed to achieve organisational objectives.
- Internal communication channels are clear and open.
- Continuous contribution to ideas generation that are in line with Watershed’s ethos and objectives.
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in communications, and strong networks across, the creative industries.
- Experience of developing and implementing communication and marketing plans, strategies, campaigns and projects.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form productive, professional working relationships with a diverse range of individuals and groups.
- Ability to develop creative communication ideas and translate sometimes complex subject matter into inspiring and accessible messages.
Application process
Closing date:
We will be conducting short interviews with all applicants who meet the essential criteria. A shortlist will then be invited to a longer second interview.
First round interview / presentation (if relevant): -
Second round interview:
Working at Watershed
Find out more about staff benefits, our values and more about our approach.
Access
Watershed will work with candidates to ensure their access needs are met during the interview process and will ensure access requirements are not a factor in decision making.
Equal opportunities monitoring
We are striving to understand more about who applies to work with us. At the end of the application process we invite you to complete our anonymous equal opportunities monitoring form, which will not be shared with anyone involved in the recruitment process.
Opening hours
At full operation, Watershed is open seven days a week, including Bank Holidays (Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the only exceptions). Watershed is a public building, which operates a diverse range of cultural and commercial activities. The post holder will need to be comfortable working in this environment.
Watershed Values
As a registered charity and social enterprise, Watershed has well-established brand values. We seek to apply our values in everything we do and ask staff, partners, suppliers and collaborators to do the same.
Our values are:
- Inclusive We listen to and learn from our community, creating equity and addressing harm where it occurs
- Transparent We share our approach openly and clearly, working at a pace which enables everyone to participate who wishes to
- Responsible We use our resources generously and sustainably, considering our impact on future generations
- Kind We are careful and caring with ourselves and with others
- Hopeful We celebrate culture, creativity and wonder as paths to a better future
Watershed is a Social Enterprise Mark holder. Social Enterprises are businesses whose products and services create both social and environmental benefits.
Closing Date: Thu 11 April, 17:00 BST