August 14th 2020

The Music Board is Looking For a Freelance Marketing and Communications Manager

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FREELANCE ROLE

The Liverpool City Region (LCR) Music Board are seeking an experienced marketing/communications manager to undertake the co-ordination, development and delivery of the LCR Music Board’s key communications and messaging across existing platforms.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about music, a lateral thinker with great initiative, who is able to multitask and contribute to the vision, ambitions and scope of the LCR Music Board and related projects.

This is a time limited freelance contract for 6 months, an equivalent to 1 – 1.5 day per week commitment.

Deadline for applications: Friday 28 August 5 pm

Please read further for role description and details on how to apply.


 

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION MUSIC BOARD

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FREELANCE ROLE DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND:
The LCR Music Board was established in December 2018 as a sector led group appointed by the LCR Combined Authority Metro Mayor, charged with both creating and then overseeing a strategy to grow the sector and its economic and social impact on the City Region.

It is one of the first such Boards created in the UK and it is helping Liverpool City Region to be seen as ahead of its peer UK cities in taking a strategic approach to this sector.

An LCR Music Strategy & Action plan has been developed which outlines 4 key priorities:

  • To ensure the long term development and growth of the Liverpool City Region music industry.
  • To support the growth and development of a sustainable music tourism offer across the Liverpool City Region.
  • To facilitate music and education sectors to come together with a plan to increase engagement in music and investment in, and development of, talent from all communities across the Liverpool City Region.
  • To ensure a sustainable and strong network of venues and to work with local authorities across the Liverpool City Region to introduce the Agent of Change principle.

The LCR Music Strategy priorities are long term but supported with an action plan which includes: support for new and existing businesses; developing greater sector connectivity; supporting talent and artist development; increasing music tourism and spend; increase collaborative working; and developing a model of good practice that can be replicable to other cities/city regions.

The LCR Music Board was successful in securing funding from the LCR Combined Authority Strategic Investment Fund to support an LCR Music Industry Development Pilot that will deliver on the above actions and priorities. Approval for this pilot coincided immediately prior to the Covid 19 Lockdown, affecting delivery timescales but work on some strands will commence soon.

Role Purpose – Marketing/Communications Manager
The LCR Music Board are seeking an experienced marketing/communications manager to undertake the co-ordination, development and delivery of the LCR Music Board’s key communications and messaging across existing platforms.

Role Description:
The LCR Music Board Marketing and Communications manager is a freelance part time role and is responsible for:

  • Managing the LCR Music Board social media channels, creating and scheduling content
  • Creating and editing website content
  • Creating digital assets and collateral
  • Monitoring analytics and key metrics
  • Attending Board meetings as and when required to report back on progress.

Some initial work has already been done which includes:

  • Design and development of a brand identity for the LCR Music Board
  • Development of a website for the LCR Music Board lcrmusicboard.co.uk
  • Establishment of social media channels:
  • facebook https://www.facebook.com/LCRMusicBoard/
  • twitter @LCRMusicBoard

Timeframe:
This is a time limited contract for 6 months, an equivalent to 1 – 1.5 day per week commitment. There is an opportunity that this role could progress into a more permanent role within the Music Office once this is established.

Key responsibilities

  • Develop, write and execute a communications/ marketing strategy for the LCR Music Board which contributes to the delivery of the aims and actions of the LCR Music Strategy and Music Industry Development Pilot.
  • Develop content for and use of digital channels to increase engagement with and awareness of the work and role of the LCR Music Board. Widen the online reach with audiences using data and analytics to inform decisions.
  • Lead on planning, creating and scheduling content for social media, co-ordinating with members of the Board on messaging and priorities.
  • Utilise social media to engage with audiences (music industry and public), grow networks, develop pr opportunities, and promote LCR Music Board news and associated music industry information to a wider audience.
  • Write and create digital content for multi-platform use, to promote and engage audiences with the work of the LCR Music Board and raise awareness of opportunities via e-newsletters, member e-comms and LCR Music Board news;
  • Communicate and apply the LCR Music Board brand identity consistently across all platforms.
  • Source engaging and brand consistent photography, imagery, video and collateral for multi-platform use.
  • Contribute to the management of the website; building and uploading new content, editing and updating existing content, addressing bug fixes with web developer.
  • Maintain media archive, researching and logging online and offline coverage
  • Provide LCR Music Board with regular updates.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION:
The LCR Music Board is looking for an individual who is passionate about music with a depth of understanding across contemporary popular music genres.

You will be a lateral thinker with great initiative, who will be able to multitask and contribute to the vision, ambitions and scope of the LCR Music Board and related projects, including the LCR Music Industry Development Pilot activities.

You will have the capabilities to develop and deliver effective messaging, communications, advocacy and reach for LCR Music Board, in addition to providing advocacy for our partners, sponsors and funders through online and offline marketing and communications.

Essential skills:

  • Ability to write well and clearly for different audiences and platforms and ability to deliver effective communications strategies;
  • Ability to implement marketing campaigns including social media campaigns;
  • Ability to implement website updates assisting with design duties (e.g. re-sizing ads, logos);
  • Ability to implement PR campaigns with relationships with/ strong knowledge of b2b and b2c local, regional and national press;
  • Experience in analysing data;
  • Experience of managing social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for an organisation
  • Experience of using mass-emailing tools (e.g. CiviMail, MailChimp)
  • Experience of using a website content management system
  • Experience in database management
  • Excellent attention to detail

Good organisation, time and priority management skills

  • Ability to work independently
  • An understanding of the music sector / industry

In addition you should have experience of using:

  • Facebook Power Editor
  • Google AdWords
  • Twitter Ads
  • Instagram
  • Adobe Creative Suite eg Photoshop/ InDesign/Acrobat/Premiere Pro or equivalent
  • Copy Writing
  • Updating Websites 

BUDGET
The fees for this role have been budgeted as of £7,000 (inclusive of VAT) to include the development and delivery of a communications strategy, regular updates of the website and social media platforms within a 6 month time period.

How the LCR Music Board would work with you
The LCR Music Board comprises of 16 Board members and 6 observers who meet regularly. In addition, 2 of the observers are Officers within the LCR CA and LCC who can provide additional support outside of Board meetings. The successful individual would be supported in the following ways:

  • Inception meeting, with representatives from the LCR Music Board to discuss the contract, approach, expectations and ongoing communication;
  • Signpost and broker introductions to key contacts within the LCR Music sector, the web / brand designers, LCC and LCR CA communications teams. This should complement the contacts and connections of the selected individual;
  • Input into the communications strategy, and provide information relating to how the process has been managed to date.

 

Application submission and selection
Proposals should outline the following in no more than four pages (using links to previous work and projects as relevant):

  • Track record of delivering similar role outlining key achievements, why they were successful and submitting links to digital content produced previously;
  • Approach – a description of your approach to the work, outlining proposed milestones/stages activity and timescales. Please also provide examples of content you’ve created previously which you feel reflects the quality of your work or which links to the purpose or content of this role;
  • Information about you – we’d like to know more about your skills, knowledge, and experience and the particular roles and responsibilities you have had and their relevance to this contract.

Proposals should be submitted with links (or supporting documentation) and an up to date CV to Sarah.lovell@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 28th August.

Decision making processes
Applications will be reviewed by a panel which will include a representative from the LCR Music Board and LCR CA. Our assessment of the successful applicant will be based on merit and the following selection criteria:

  • Your evidenced track record of delivering similar responsibilities
  • Your approach and clarity around how you will deliver the key elements of the role
  • Deliverability – based on your proposed timeline, approach and experience of delivering similar projects

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.

Indicative timeline

Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 28 August 2020

Interviews: 4th September 2020 (please indicate if you are unable to attend on this date)

Contract issued and work to commence: w/c 14th September 2020

End of contract: w/c 22nd February 2021