Role Profile
Post:
Communications Co-ordinator (London)
Salary:
£25,000 - £28,000 (dependent on experience)
Location:
London
Reporting to:
Head of Marketing and Communications
Contract:
Permanent
Main Purpose
To deliver engaging communications to raise the profile of Youth Zones across the country
(with a large focus on London projects) amongst key stakeholders, via the implementation of
a comprehensive communications and marketing plan.
Context of the Role
OnSide was established as a charity in 2008. It has been growing rapidly ever since and has an
ambitious and exciting plan to grow further. Its goal is to replicate the scale, quality and
accomplishments of the highly successful and nationally renowned Bolton Lads and Girls Club
in other towns and cities, offering young people ‘somewhere to go, something to do and
someone to talk to’.
OnSide is now working across the UK, building a network of iconic, 21st century Youth Zones;
creating new local start-up charities; recruiting and training key staff members; and securing
funding for the first three years of operation. Youth Zones operate according to OnSide’s
model of best practice, but are run as independent charities by local, private sector-led
boards.
Each Youth Zone is a £6 million capital project, open seven days a week, with state-of-the-art
facilities, delivering over 20 sporting, artistic, cultural and general recreational activities and
targeted services every day. There are six open Youth Zones operating in the North West and
Midlands, with projects in development across the country, including Wirral (due to open at
the end of this year), Chorley and London. OnSide has already raised over £70 million of
funding and the success of the current projects has attracted recognition in national and local
government circles.
OnSide is a relatively small team, with the range of skills needed to develop, build and open
Youth Zones all over the UK. OnSide is now seeking to strengthen that team to enable it to
meet its rapid growth plans through the recruitment of a Communications Co-ordinator to
deliver engaging communications to raise the profile of Youth Zones across the country (with
a large focus on London projects) amongst key stakeholders, via the implementation of a
comprehensive communications and marketing plan. As the sole communications
professional based in London, the role will be responsible for delivering communications,
marketing and event activities for future Youth Zones in the capital, to enhance visibility and
build support.
The Role
 To raise awareness of Youth Zones amongst the whole community including young people,
partners, funders and potential patrons/donors in the lead up to opening;
 To engage with young people, the Youth Zone team (as recruited) and different
stakeholders to really understand and be able to convey the offer and how this aligns with
local and national priorities;
 To ensure the Youth Zone is profiled across all relevant communications channels;
 To produce high quality, creative and modern communications across media channels that
really captivate the target audience and reflect OnSide’s brand values.
Job Description
1. To support the implementation of both OnSide and future Youth Zones’ communications
and marketing plans.
2. To maintain and develop online content (website and social media) in liaison with the staff
team, young people and external stakeholders in an accurate and timely way. To use
analytics to monitor and improve the effectiveness and reach of online presence.
3. To identify and respond to PR opportunities, build positive relationships with key local and
regional media and handle all press enquiries to build OnSide and future Youth Zones’
profiles and brand identities, generating positive coverage.
4. To plan and co-ordinate/produce, as appropriate, a wide range of communications and
marketing materials both on- and off-line, including the research, content, writing, editing
and managing the design process.
5. To act as the guardian of OnSide’s brand, ensuring consistency of presentation and the
further development and implementation of guidelines around visual identity, promoting
good practice and training colleagues as appropriate.
6. To stay abreast of external communications trends, highlighting where new approaches
might be beneficial and champion new technology, learn new skills and then train and
enthuse others to put these into practice.
7. To work with colleagues and young people to develop mechanisms to capture content
from the young people and ensure communication of a coherent brand.
8. To work with OnSide and other Youth Zone Communications Managers to share best
practice.
Person Specification
Applicants should be able to demonstrate they have most of the requirements listed below.
Selection Criteria
Experience
1.
Experience of delivering successful communications campaigns
2.
4.
Experience of managing websites and using content management systems
Experience of working within a busy media / marketing / communications office
(preferably 4/5 years
Experience of delivering digital communications and monitoring performance
5.
Experience of PR and delivering publicity at a national level
6.
In-depth knowledge of social media and latest platforms
3.
Knowledge / Qualifications
1.
Professional qualification in PR / Communications / Marketing
2.
Familiar with Adobe Photoshop
3.
Familiar with the content management system Wordpress
4.
Familiar with video editing software such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro etc.
5.
Excellent understanding of digital communications (including e-marketing)
Skills
1.
Excellent written and oral communication skills
2.
Thorough and accurate with excellent attention to detail
3.
Ability to work under own initiative, manage own workload and work collaboratively
4.
Ability to handle varied workload, react quickly, meet deadlines and prioritise tasks
5.
Ability to establish good professional relationships with varied stakeholders
6.
Creative approach to communications delivery
7.
High level of IT skills
Personal Qualities
1.
Confident, motivated and enthusiastic
2.
A positive ‘can do’ attitude
3.
Take personal responsibility for own actions
4.
Be a self-starter that is able and willing to embrace projects, tasks and opportunities
5.
Commit to a culture of continuous improvement
Represent OnSide positively and effectively in all dealings with internal colleagues,
and external partners
6.
Application Process
Please complete the application form and return it to [email protected]. Applications
by CV will not be accepted.
Closing date for applications
Assessment Day
12 noon, Friday 10 June 2016
Thursday, 23 June 2016 (London)
Remuneration Package
The salary will be £25,000 to £28,000 (dependent on experience). An employee pension
scheme is available for employees to join after six months service, with OnSide contributing
3% of salary if matched by the equivalent amount of employee contribution. The holiday
entitlement is 25 days plus bank holidays. A tax-free childcare voucher scheme is available for
eligible employees through the Co-operative Flexible Benefits Scheme.
General Information
The job is based in London, but will involve regular travel across the network (to the North
West and West Midlands) and work outside normal working hours. During the induction
period, the successful candidate will be required to spend time at the OnSide main office in
Bolton: two full days a week for the first three months and then one day a week for the next
three months. OnSide will cover the cost of accommodation and travel.
In accordance with our Safeguarding procedures, this position will require an enhanced DBS
check.
OnSide Youth Zones Values
As a Youth Zone community our values provide us with cohesion as a group. We celebrate our differences; however these
values help ensure our actions, behaviour and motivations as colleagues and volunteers reflect our shared vision.
1.
Serving Young People
 Focus on serving young people
 Continuous improvement in the service we offer
 Building relationships
We are dedicated to the development of young people and shall always strive to provide them with an environment and
activities that will best inspire and develop them; that can deliver the ‘wow’ factor and leave a lasting impression.
We shall work to high standards and go the extra mile to build strong, positive relationships with young people. We welcome
all young people as they are, and support them to make good decisions, ensuring their changing needs remain at the heart
of our services.
2.
Can-Do Approach
 Getting results
 Motivating others
 Determination
We shall deliver exceptional results through our passion and energy, pushing the bar higher. We will encourage ourselves
and others to take on new challenges, whilst offering support and seeking advice at times, with a real pride in what we do.
We must be resilient and determined to achieve our goals. We all understand that sometimes we will not get there but often
we will achieve spectacular success.
3. Teamwork
 Openness
 Supporting others
 Valuing and respecting others
In our network every job and volunteer role is important. We value each person and his or her job as much as we value our
own. We recognise the efforts of others, whether seen or unseen. We strive to be a team of high quality coaches; sharing
our experience and best practice across the network and in turn benefiting from the experience of others.
We should encourage different views to our own, and support colleagues in their decisions irrespective of their outcome. We
should be able to challenge colleagues openly, speaking up on controversial issues without fear. Therefore our relationships
will develop with each other based on trust, respect and dignity.
4. Doing it Right
 Acting with integrity
 Constant personal improvement
 Developing others
We are passionate about doing it right and are happy to seek specialist help when needed. We will train and be trained.
We encourage learning and development and will achieve ever-increasing personal competence resulting in a culture of
constant improvement and professionalism.
5. Innovation Friendly
 Innovative environment
 Individual creativity
We want to provide an environment that generates innovative ideas and solutions; we are trailblazers. We wish to
encourage employees, volunteers and young people to experiment with process and service provision.
We want an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish. We want a network where there is the freedom for
individuals to think differently.