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.
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.
