Description
We are seeking an enthusiastic person to be part of a small, busy Marketing and Communications Team that covers all areas of the charity’s work in education, residential services and community services. The post holder will take responsibility for the delivery of a wide range of marketing and communications activities to promote QAC’s brand. As the largest service area a lot of the marketing department’s day to day work will be focused on Queen Alexandra College. This role also requires deputisation for the Marketing and Communications Manager in their absence.
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: 52 weeks
Annual Leave: 7.2 weeks, including Bank Holidays.
Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate must have a full current driving licence.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of applications. Early application is advised.
Key Responsibilities
Duties and Key Areas of Responsibility
· Lead on, arrange, promote and oversee regular visits by potential learners and professionals to the Queen Alexandra College through events such as Open Days and Professional Day events.
· Support with the organisation and delivery of a range of College events and activities including Friends and Families Day for current students and Familiarisation Day for new starters.
· Collect and collate data to inform reporting and analysis of visits/events/potential learners etc.
· Plan, deliver and manage coordinated communications and marketing activity to support individual projects and initiatives for the Charity.
· Support in delivering campaigns or initiatives, as identified through the Marketing and Communications Strategy and plans that contribute to the overall aims of the charity, from planning to execution and evaluation.
· Support the coordination of stakeholder communications. Help maintain communications database of all external contacts used by the team and use this database to pull target lists for various correspondence.
· Build relationships with key stakeholders, particularly prospective students and parents/carers, and organisations/service providers through internal and external events, visits, presentations and exhibitions.
· Create engaging visual and video/audio content, as well as copy for different channels and work with individual teams within the charity to ensure that relevant materials are developed.
· Working with the team to support development of the charity’s website and social media presence.
· Visit Feeder schools and attend other external events.
· Produce high quality print and digital media resource required e.g. leaflets, posters, digital media.
· Proactively develop new links throughout the UK to promote the work and positive impact of QAC and its services.
· Liaise with QAC Enterprises to ensure they are appropriately supported. Occasionally represent the College at external events (including QAC Sight Village) throughout the UK including some occasional overnight stays. Flexibility to work out of hours as required (including occasional evening and weekend work).
· Deliver presentations on the work of QAC to a variety of audiences.
· Proactive and regular engagement with national initiatives, regional and local groups and stakeholders.
· Build on our reputation as a charity and leading provider of specialist education and celebrate, be responsive to and promote the work and successes of students, clients and staff through external awards – such as The Charity Awards, Beacon, Natspec, FE, TES.
· Support the recruitment and onboarding of student ambassadors whilst also offering ongoing supervision and guidance.
· Maintain a broad knowledge of QAC’s learner/client programmes and provision/campuses.
· Respond to incoming enquiries from potential learners, families and professionals and provide high quality information, advice and guidance.
· Support the Marketing and Communications team in various projects, marketing campaigns, advertising and publicity.
· Deputise for and co-ordinate team activities in the absence of the Marketing and Communications Manager.
· Provide marketing and communications guidance and advice to colleagues, in liaison with the Marketing & Communications Manager.
· Develop excellent communications in support of QAC as a charity, whether that be through showcasing our work to a variety of different audiences or communication specific to fundraising campaigns.
· Represent QAC in a responsible and professional manner at all times.
· Maintain clear and thorough records of all contacts, customers, prospects, meetings and future actions.
· Contribute to the wider remit of Marketing and Communications as required.
Corporate and team responsibilities
· Adhere to the Charity’s Health and Safety policy.
· Undertake any necessary training or updating.
· Participate in the development of equal opportunities, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding within the department and across the Charity.
· Attend and actively contribute to team meetings.
· Undertake any other reasonable duties or responsibilities as required by the Charity.
The above list is not exhaustive, but is indicative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken. The responsibilities and duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to enable the efficient and effective running of the College.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Educated to a high standard with excellent literacy and numeracy skills
* Degree qualification in relation to Marketing, Communications and/or Event Management
* Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to present confidently to a variety of audiences and adapt approach to best meet the needs of the audience
* Excellent IT skills including use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. to support efficient communication and recording of information
* Experience in the use of Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design and/or Canva
* Well-developed administrative and organisational skills with a proven ability to pay attention to detail
* Flexible approach to work with a ‘can-do’ attitude – must be willing to travel and stay overnight when required
* Previous experience in a Marketing, communications & engagement, PR and/or event management role
* Knowledge of Marketing, PR and/or event management
* Experience of managing campaigns and projects and delivering them on time, within budget and to a high standard
* Previous experience or knowledge of working in an educational and/or SEND setting
Why work at Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham
Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.
The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.
Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:
· Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
· Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
· Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
· Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
· Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.
Our benefits include;
Academic Year 2024/25
* Access to on site car parking
* Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
* Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
* Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
* QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
* BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
* Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
* Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
* Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off.
* Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
* Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities
* Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
* Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)
* Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
* Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
* Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)
* On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
* Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)
* Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.
We look forward to receiving your application and knowing more about your qualifications, skills,
personal qualities and experience that you would bring to the role and to QAC. Please take time to
review the job description above.
Please upload a CV/Resume* with details of your full employment history (since leaving school,
including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in
employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you
believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and
person specification requirements. Your CV/Resume* will be re-produced in a standard format by
the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.
Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from
engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are
available here
As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in
September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may
enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review
online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part
of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for
any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on,
or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you
are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further
information.
Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student/client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.
We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe’s most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8-acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.
Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently/semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.
Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).
All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.
QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and as a team.
We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC’s achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes.
As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.