Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
8966
Job title:
Programme Communications Manager
Reports to:
Group Programme Communications Manager
Salary:
£37,382 - £44,607
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
8
Duration of post:
12-month temporary contract
Working hours:
22.5 hours per week
Location:
Walton Hall
Closing date:
12:00 noon 19/09/13
Type of application form accepted:
OU Application form and CV
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
marketing-recruitment@open.ac.uk
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2. Summary of duties
POSTHOLDER REPORTS TO:
Group Programme Communications Manager – Strategy & Operations
STAFF REPORTING TO THE POSTHOLDER:
Programme Communication Co-ordinators x2
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST:
To support the Marketing Communications team in implementing the Marcomms strategy &
ensure the operational delivery of all marketing communications activity is fully optimised.
The post holder will need to ensure maximum efficiency in all aspects of planning and financial
& resource management, and leads agency management.
1.
To operationally support the planning, development, implementation, optimisation &
evaluation of marketing campaigns across a wide range of routes to market in order to
achieve student number targets.
2.
The post holder will be required to manage a number of colleagues as well as leading
the relationship with OU retained agencies (creative and media) to ensure the
operational optimisation of all marketing communications activity.
3.
To work collaboratively with other individuals within the wider Marketing
Communications Team to co-ordinate & traffic campaigns.
4.
To liaise with other University units as appropriate to ensure implementation is coordinated, realistic and provides additional value to the University’s marketing effort.
5.
To support the evaluation of all campaigns working with other marketing colleagues as
appropriate and deliver demonstrable return on marketing investment
6.
To innovate and continuously develop and refine Sub-unit processes and identify & flag
strategic development opportunities
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES OF THE POST:
This is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties or a restrictive definition of the post but
should rather read as a guide to the main priorities and typical areas of activity of the postholder. These activities are subject to amendment over time as priorities and requirements
evolve and as such it may be amended at any time by the line manager following discussion
with the post-holder.
Planning & development – 25%
 Define & maintain Sub-Unit approval processes
 Support the campaign planning process
 Identify & manage required operational & process change to increase effectiveness &
efficiency
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Leadership – 25%
 Ensure performance issues are identified & proactively managed to resolution
 Lead the drive for excellence in marketing within the team - including campaign planning,
briefing & implementation processes, scheduling and proposing/driving improvements.
 Build & develop close relationships with key stakeholders e.g. MPPM’s, CP&D etc. as
required to ensure buy in & practical marketing solutions
 Develop effective relationships & influence with appropriate University staff including
Heads of & Managers for all areas of communications
 Ensure agencies are engaged, integrated and actively managed
Commercial Management 50%
 Manage the relationship with media & creative agencies plus the implementation &
tracking of Service Level agreements
 Ensure contractual requirements are in place & adhered to
 Manage the OJEU procurement process for agency rosta & co-ordinate pitches
 Manage Procurement relationship
 Budget control, administration & forecasting of agency fees
 Support Sub-Unit budget control
 Maximise and monitor/audit agencies quality of output, value for money
 Co-ordinate & gain agreement to agency workload plan
 Maintain & develop Marketing Unit Asset Bank
 Responsible for adhering to financial controls & targets e.g. minimising accruals, year end position etc. & following correct procedures with accurate & timely reconciliation
(supported by the Unit Directorate team)
 Ensure the achievement of allocated business objectives
 Drive for excellence & help marketing be the best it can be
All staff are expected:
 to undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required;
 to take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of themselves and that of any other
person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work;
 to demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and
diversity
3. Person specification
1. A relevant HE/FE qualification or relevant professional marketing qualification e.g. CIM
diploma, IDM diploma
2. Substantial end-to-end, segmented multi-channel campaign management experience
working within a marketing communications operation in a large and complex
organisation with over 250,000 customers
3. Evidence of successfully delivering results against objectives, such as ROI, cost per
enquiry, etc.
4. Highly numerate, commercially minded & a proven track record of managing marketing
budgets of over £1m per year
5. Evidence of substantial experience of:
a. Managing relationships with creative and media agencies to deliver against
specified requirements
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b. Supporting campaign planning processes & aligning and co-ordinating
resources and requirements to successfully deliver against objectives
c. Identifying & managing operational change & process improvements to
increase effectiveness & efficiency
d. OJEU procurement process
6. Evidence of good leadership skills:
a. Motivates & inspires others to succeed; sets clear & challenging objectives &
direction; monitors progress & holds people accountable; seeks opportunities
for continuous improvement
b. Gathers information to gain understanding of complex issues; relates the
activities of the Marketing Unit to the University’s strategic priorities; analyses
problems & risks to establish causes & practical solutions
c. Ability to plan & manage resources in order to achieve immediate & longer
term objectives; quickly & accurately establishes priorities & executes them
despite conflicting agendas & multiple deliverables
d. Clear communication style which builds rapport, trust & integrity; utilises
different leadership styles to fit the situation; demonstrates political savvy &
networking skills
e. Adopts a positive attitude to change; takes an innovative approach &
challenges existing methods to increase efficiency & customer experience;
manages change & risk to increase agility & responsiveness
7. Evidence of strong influencing, negotiating and interpersonal skills including the ability
to present effectively and influence key decision makers, plus the ability to identify,
develop, nurture and successfully operate working partnerships both inside and
outside the University.
8. Demonstrates sophisticated communication, influencing & negotiating skills including
the ability to listen, think on his/her feet, structure coherent & well thought out
proposals (both verbally & in writing), influence, challenge & gain clear commitment to
agreed ways forward.
9. Innovative, self-reliant and determined approach to duties and an ability to work well
under pressure
10. Proven IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Desirable
1. Personal experience of Open University courses
2. A passion for Marketing, and a desire to continually develop your knowledge and
skills
3. Evidence of ability to adapt style to suit a large, complex public sector organisation
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
None
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5. About the unit/department
The Marketing and SRFS Unit is split into sub-units, supported by the Directorate.
Marketing Communications
Marketing Communications play a vital role in raising awareness of the University and helping
to deliver our student number targets. We are responsible for the planning, design &
implementation of marketing campaigns to deliver a range of communications to potential
students, employers and other influencers, through to enquirers, existing students & former
students. We use a broad range of online & offline channels such as television, online, press,
email, paid search, radio, and direct marketing to reach our target audiences.
6. Application process
Please ensure that you send a full completed application form and CV to be considered for this
post. You must detail how you meet the essential criteria for this post either in a covering
letter or in your application form. This is an important part of your application and if you
fail to do this you will not be considered for short listing.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please email marketingrecruitment@open.ac.uk.
7. Where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: 12 noon on 19/09/13
Name/Job title:
Marketing-Recruitment
Department/Unit: Marketing
Address:
Level 3 North
Berrill Building
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: marketing-recruitment@open.ac.uk
8. Selection process and date of interview
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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