Northern Ballet is a powerhouse for inventive dance, creating and touring narrative dance at various scales nationally and internationally. Bold and confident in our approach, we engage, involve and move our audiences.
We reach a diverse range of people through passionate storytelling, a mastery of classical dance technique and an absolute commitment to our leading role as an international ambassador for world-class dance. Based in Leeds with a major presence in the city, Northern Ballet tours widely across the UK, creating full-length narrative ballets, mixed repertoire, and productions specifically for children.
The Audiences & Communications department is responsible for all internal and external communications at Northern Ballet. The department supports the company’s national and international tours, a digital programme, the Academy of Northern Ballet, outreach activity and fundraising initiatives. We operate with audiences at the heart of all our decision making.
We are looking for a Communications Officer who will join our creative and ambitious department, with a central role promoting a varied and exciting programme. You’ll have the chance to use the full marketing and PR mix across a range of different campaigns. Northern Ballet has amazing resources at its fingertips, with world-class ballet dancers, multiple studios, and in-house wardrobe and technical departments. This presents an excellent opportunity for an imaginative and enthusiastic person to thrive.
- Salary: £23,000-£25,000 per annum
- Hours: Our full-time hours are 35 per week.
We are open to applications from candidates wanting to work full-time or part-time (e.g. 4 days a week). We are based on Leeds, hybrid working is available - Closing date for applications: Monday 6 January, 10am
- Interviews will take place in Leeds, on week commencing 13 January
Northern Ballet strives to understand, respect and champion diversity in all its forms and believes in embracing diversity within our workforce, repertoire and practices. Therefore, we support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. As part of our commitment to the disability confident employer scheme, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies.
If you require any adjustment during any stages of our recruitment process, please contact recruitment@northernballet.com and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements. Some examples of adjustments could include sending documentation in alternative formats such as large print, braille or audio. Adapting the environment for the interview or allowing additional time for you to answer questions.
Application
- Full details can be found in the enclosed candidate brief
- To apply, please email your CV, cover letter and your portfolio to: recruitment@northernballet.com
- Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Form
- Closing date for applications is Monday 6 January, 10am
Job Description
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The Role
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- Job Title: Communications Officer
- Location: Based in Leeds
- Reports to: Senior Communications Manager
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Key Responsibilities
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- Work with the Senior Communications Manager to create and deliver communications campaigns (marketing and PR) for tour and in-house productions, to achieve financial and audience targets. This may include events in the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, children’s ballet tour, large-scale touring.
- Lead on communications campaigns for the Academy of Northern Ballet and Learning departments.
- Support fundraising initiatives run by our Development department.
- Work with the Senior Communications Manager to deliver a CRM plan, using our CRM system Spektrix.
- Create segmented email campaigns using DotDigital, ensuring cross-over opportunities between regions, venues and strands are exploited and use this platform to give an insight into life at Northern Ballet.
- Proactively look for opportunities to grow and maintain an engaged customer base through Spektrix.
- Work with the Digital Manager to ensure events and performances are listed on our website via Spektrix and our website CMS.
- Manage design and print projects (e.g. direct mail, print and online adverts), including copywriting, creating design briefs, proof-reading and managing the sign off process.
- Create positive and productive working relationships with tour venues, visiting companies and departments to ensure campaigns are well supported and that Northern Ballet’s objectives are effectively met.
- Evaluate marketing, sales and audience insights for activities across the business, including ROI on marketing campaigns and mandatory Arts Council England reporting.
- Take responsibility for specific audience development initiatives, as agreed with the Director of Audiences and Communications, and support a culture of data driven decision making.
- Liaise with the Development department on ticket hold requests for performances, including setting up hold spreadsheets.
- Work with the Senior Communications Manager to support the PR strategy which may include setting up, managing and attending press interviews, filming, photocalls and press events including opening nights and launches.
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Additional Responsibilities
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- Contribute content to the Northern Ballet website
- and social media as requested.
- Contribute towards the planning and delivery of the Audiences Strategy and Content and Communications Strategy.
- Attend Communications and Company events as and when necessary.
- Be committed to equal opportunities practice.
- Assist with cover of reception lunchtimes if required.
- Any other duties as reasonably required for the effective running of the department.
- Some evening and weekend work will be required, time off in lieu is offered.
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Who we are looking for
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- Through previous experience in a communications role you are confident taking responsibility for managing campaigns.
- A self-motivated person who excels in a team environment and is confident working both independently and collaboratively.
- You will be used to managing a range or priorities at once, and have tried and tested systems for balancing your workload.
- Someone with excellent written communication skills, we want you to be able to weave exciting stories around Northern Ballet’s work.
- A meticulous eye for detail with outstanding proof-reading skills.
- A confident attitude so you’ll be comfortable networking with journalists or picking up the phone to discuss campaign plans with partner venues.
- Some experience of analysing campaign data to make changes and improve results.
Header photo from Romeo and Juliet 2024, dancer Saeka Shirai, photo Emily Nuttall.