Digital Content Assistant

The Admissions and Marketing Department is led by the Director of Operations, reporting to the Head. Its core aim is to represent the ethos of the School to prospective parents and pupils to best effect, attracting them to the School to make an enquiry and guiding them through the Admissions process, ensuring that the School remains as full as possible at all times. The department is looking to expand to be able to use digital tools to reach a greater number of prospective parents, increase the number of enquiries and improve their customer journey.

The new role of Digital Content Assistant (part-time, 15 hrs per week) will report to the Director of Operations and will work closely with the Registrar and the Marketing Officer in the Admissions and Marketing team. The Digital Content Assistant will contribute to the implementation of the Marketing Strategy by curating, improving and broadening the communication of School’s brand on its website, in social media, in written communications and publications.

A skilled copy writer and communicator and experienced social media user, the Digital Content Assistant will have the skills and passion to understand and communicate the School’s ethos in the ‘house style’ to attract the target market, implementing the recommendations from the School’s subcontractor marketing agency for search engine optimisation and ultimately increase the number of enquiries the School receives, including for chorister places in the College’s world-reknowned choir.

It is important to note that as this role is new and the School implements the Marketing strategy, the specific duties which fall to the Digital Content Assistant may be subject to change. The balance of responsibilities may also be affected by the particular strengths that each of the members of the team are able to contribute and the successful applicant will demonstrate a willingness to be flexible and contribute to the team.

Overall, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate some or all of the following:

• A genuine commitment to education and to the distinctive education offered by St John’s;
• Proven experience in a communications and digital marketing role is essential;
• Previous experience in school admissions and marketing and a recognised marketing or social media qualification will be an advantage;
• Excellent writing skills, with a good command of written and spoken English and grammar, and the ability to proofread with an exceptional attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to promote the ethos of the school to all enquirers and uphold the School’s brand;
• A detailed understanding of social and digital media, content creation and scheduling tools is desirable as is an interest in continually learning about new marketing and social media trends;
• Experience of implementing SEO recommendations;
• A portfolio of marketing communications and digital marketing work;
• The ability to think creatively and generate new, varied and interesting content;
• The ability to identify the audience and tailor communications which will attract the target market;
• A genuine understanding of parents’ feelings and concerns when they are considering a school for their child;
• Proficient use of IT (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Word and Excel in particular) and the ability to learn to use new software (training in proprietary software packages will be provided);
• The ability to work independently and also in close co-operation with others in a team;
• The ability to work within tight deadlines;
• Versatile, dynamic, and flexible with a ‘can-do’ attitude;
• Resilient and able to cope with the rigours of a busy department;
• The ability to stay calm under pressure;
• The discretion, sensitivity and diplomacy to deal appropriately with confidential information with regard to children and families;
• A thorough understanding, or the willingness to gain a thorough understanding, of the issues and procedures relating to the safeguarding and welfare of the pupils in the care of the school.

Applications

A letter of application (preferably handwritten), addressed to the Director of Operations, Mr Alex Loria, should be sent with a fully completed application form to St John's College School, 75 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AB (recruitment@sjcs.co.uk) along with a portfolio providing examples of a range of marketing experience.

Long-list candidates will be invited to attend a first round interview. If successful, candidates will be asked to complete a skills assessment. Short-listed candidates will be invited to the School for a second round interview, including a tour of the school, safer recruitment interview and the final interview itself. All reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed by the School.

St John’s College School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. All appointments are subject to a criminal background check and proof of qualifications in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act.