Visual Content & Press Officer Job Description

About the Northcott

Exeter Northcott Theatre is proud to have been part of Exeter’s cultural life for more than 50 years, drawing audiences from across the city, the surrounding area, and the wider region to see the very best local, national and international performing arts in our mid- scale auditorium (460 seats) on the campus of the University of Exeter. The Northcott also has a long history of making amazing things happen in the city centre and supporting creative activity in community spaces and settings, reflected in the acquisition of the city centre Barnfield Theatre with its two smaller auditoria (280 seats & 60 seats), and the resurgence of the community engagement programme.

Diversity & Inclusion

There continues to be a significant lack of diversity across the arts, with a pressing need to provide progression routes for talented people from backgrounds that are under-represented. Exeter Northcott Theatre is committed to playing its part in addressing this by putting inclusion at the heart of our recruitment processes, finding new ways to share the power and resources we have at our disposal, and fostering a working culture that is welcoming for all our team. We actively encourage people from all backgrounds to join us and positively impact our teams and working practice. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of African and Caribbean heritage, people of South Asian, East Asian and South East Asian Heritage, deaf and disabled people, people from the LGBTQ+ community, or those experiencing barriers due to their socioeconomic background.

The Purpose of the Post

The Visual Content & Press Officer will be a key member of Exeter Northcott Theatre’s marketing team. Working with the Marketing & Development Director, Head of Marketing & Press, Marketing Officer and Marketing Assistant, the post-holder will share the theatre’s stories and champion our work with young people, artists, and communities, as well as the work we produce and bring to our stages, by creating video content and photography. The Visual Content & Press Officer will then share this content through the appropriate channels, including social media, our own website, press contacts and other third parties. They will also be responsible for leading on all press campaigns. The Press & Marketing Officer will work particularly closely with the Marketing Officer, supporting the delivery of all marketing campaigns.

The successful candidate will have strong video editing, as well as good photography skills, and a knack for finding and telling stories through different channels. The candidate will be capable of working creatively and respectfully with people of all walks of life, including young people and people with disabilities.

This role may be ideal for someone with videography and photography experience, who is looking to build on their experience with an in-house opportunity and to develop their marketing knowledge.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Creating and showcasing content

Gathering and editing content from visiting companies, artists and partners
Creating original filmed and digital content to communicate Northcott stories
Sharing and showcasing Northcott Stories through our social media and website (working in WordPress)
Creating original filmed and digital content to promote Northcott productions
Photographing events and creative projects, and writing articles

Devising press campaigns

Working with visiting companies and supported artists to devise and deliver press campaigns
Writing press releases for Northcott projects and productions
Pitching and setting up interviews and features
Tracking, evaluating and reporting on press campaigns

Delivering marketing campaigns

Updating the theatre’s website (working in WordPress)
Generating targeted mailing/emailing lists (working in Dotdigital and Spektrix)
Implementing social media campaigns

General

Representing the theatre at external meetings as required
Adhering to Exeter Northcott Theatre policies & procedures.
Any other duties which may be reasonably requested by the Head of Marketing & Press or Directors.

NB This job description represents a summary of the essential characteristics of this role, including its principal accountabilities, and is not intended to be read as a complete account of all duties or responsibilities involved, which may develop over time as the business needs of Exeter Northcott Theatre change.

Person Specification

Please demonstrate how you meet these Essential & Desirable criteria when applying for this role:

Essential

Strong videography and editing skills (any software)
Experience of using professional filming and photography equipment
Experience of copywriting, proofreading and editing
A knack for finding and telling stories through different media
Excellent communication skills
Excellent organisational & administrative skills
Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
Proven ability to work as part of a team
Self-motivated, pro-active in learning and development

Desirable

An interest in and enthusiasm for theatre
Demonstrable knowledge of the theatre industry and the cultural landscape in Devon
Experience of working with journalists and / or reviewers
Experience of using databases and systems such as Spektrix (training will be provided on all of our systems)
Experience of using social media in a professional setting
Experience of using Creative Cloud in a professional setting, including Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere Pro
Experience of using WordPress

Terms & Conditions

Salary: £26,317 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time (39 hours per week)
Working Pattern: Monday – Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work
Working Location: Northcott Theatre & Barnfield Theatre – with some remote working possible
Holiday: 32 days per annum (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing with ser-vice

Other Benefits:

Access to Spectrum Life online wellbeing platform
Access to discounted and complimentary tickets (where available)
Cycle to Work Schemes
Opportunity to take additional 2 weeks’ unpaid leave
Workplace pension contributions in line with statutory minimums

All deaf or disabled candidates who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for this role will be invited for interview.

How to apply

As part of our commitment to inclusion we’re working to widen the pool of people who hear about vacancies at the theatre and make the process of applying for a job as straightforward as possible. We are also open to other ways of working, including flex-ible and job share working.

For this role we’re asking all candidates to click on the Apply Now link for this vacancy on our website and submit written and/or video/audio responses to the same three questions so you can tell us about yourself and why you’re the right person for this role, we’re looking for around 200-500 works for each:

Tell us about yourself and why you want to work at the Northcott
Tell us how your professional experience meets the person specification
Tell us about what support you might need if we were to offer you this role (this could include any flexible working you might need).

And then upload a copy of your latest CV and a link to some of your current work.

If you have any questions about the role, feel free to contact our Head of Marketing and Press, Laura Van Wymersch, on [email protected] to arrange an informal conversation.

Closing Date: Wednesday 6 December, 2023 – Noon

Interviews will take place 14 and 15 December in person at the Northcott.

If you are invited to interview, we will ask if you have any access needs. We will also reimburse any expenses associated with attending the interview.

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