Subscriptions Manager
Application Deadline: 2 April 2026
Department: Shared Support Services
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Basildon
Reporting To: Darron McLoughlin
Compensation: £35,000 / year
Description
Do you think you understand what local newspaper readers are motivated by, do you love brilliant customer service, and enjoy growing tangible results? We’re looking for a Newspaper Subscriptions Manager to grow our subscriber base. A subscriber is somebody who pays directly to receive a copy of our newspapers on a daily or weekly basis over a defined period of time.
You will be responsible for developing our home delivery and pre-paid voucher subscription customer base and ensuring readers receive a first-class service every day. Working closely with canvassers, delivery partners, editorial, commercial and customer service teams. You will:
* Drive new customer acquisition through your field canvassing team, local initiatives and creative targeted promotions.
* Make sure every new reader is set up correctly and receives a smooth start to their subscription.
* Monitor daily delivery performance, resolving issues quickly and protecting the reader experience.
* Design and deploy practical retention strategies to retain existing readers loyalty and reduce churn.
* This is a hands-on role, combining desk-based analysis and planning with time spent in the field and with delivery partners.
This role offers a starting salary of £35,000 plus bonus earning potential.
Key Responsibilities
* Grow paid home-delivery and pre-paid voucher subscriptions in defined territories through effective acquisition campaigns.
* Work with field canvassers: briefing offers, monitoring performance, and ensuring accurate and complete sign-up data.
* Oversee day-one and early-life experience for new readers, fixing delivery and invoicing issues promptly.
* Track and report on starts, stops, complaints and churn, using insight to shape local plans.
* Develop and run innovative retention and win-back initiatives (e.g. reactivation offers, loyalty communications, service improvement actions).
* Maintain strong relationships with delivery partners to uphold service standards.
* Act as the internal champion for newspaper subscribers, feeding back common issues and opportunities to colleagues.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Experience in circulation, subscriptions, home delivery, or a similar role.
* Strong customer focus: you care about getting it right for readers, especially when things go wrong.
* Confident communicator, able to work with canvassers, delivery partners, and internal teams.
* Comfortable with numbers and reporting; you can interpret basic data and turn it into practical actions.
* Highly organised, with strong attention to detail on addresses, start dates, offers and pricing.
* Proactive, resilient and happy to roll up your sleeves in a fast-moving, operational environment.
* Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel within the patch (including occasional early-morning checks if needed).
* Competent user of spreadsheets and basic CRM/subscription systems.
* Flexibility to respond to occasional service issues outside standard office hours.
Benefits
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
* Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
* Structured career progression & ongoing training
* Pension plan
* Employee Helpline counselling and advice
* Perks & discounts including:
o Gym membership
o Cycle to Work scheme
o Eye care
o Retail discounts
* Team building days & annual volunteer charity day
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