Communications Officer (Digital and Visual Media)

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth.  

We are looking for a hard-working and enthusiastic digital expert to join our Marketing Department to create and optimise our digital content. The Communications Officer (Digital and Visual Media) will report to the Head of Marketing and will be based in the Admissions Office. 

The successful candidate will have a passion for digital content, experience of managing websites and social media channels and will be able to craft engaging digital content, through video, imagery and text. The ability to analyse digital activity to inform future planning is essential.

The role is full time for 37.5 hours each week. The hours of work will be 08.30 to 16.30, with a 30 minute unpaid lunchbreak each day. Some flexibility will be required to attend occasional evening and weekend events in the school calendar and to work additional hours at busy times. 

The start date will be as soon as possible in December 2021.

Role overview:

You will be responsible for visual content to support the school’s communications activities, ensuring a strong social media presence which effectively communicates the school’s core strengths and strategic priorities, in a coherent and curated way. 

Key responsibilities:

• Work with colleagues to determine communications priorities within the school’s busy calendar

• Be responsible for creating compelling and high quality photography to communicate school activities ensuring that the photography can be used across a range of platforms, online and offline

• Be responsible for creating high quality and creative videography to communicate school activities 

• Edit photography, videos and other materials to support school activities as required, within a range of software packages, to a high standard

• Lead the school’s social media content generation, ensuring a dynamic, targeted, compelling, and coherent presence across key platforms, effectively communicating the core strengths and reinforcing the strategic priorities of the school

• Operate and update a clearly labelled and easy to use library of photography 

• Ensure that displays around the school are engaging and up to date

• Produce engaging copy that clearly communicates the digital content that is shared

• Ensure compliance with regard to the school’s GDPR and safeguarding policies as they relate to the use of images of pupils and other potentially sensitive data or information 

Person Specification:

•     Demonstrable experience of managing digital channels on behalf of an organisation 

• Knowledge of using CRM systems for manipulating data sets and creating mail lists and creating reports and analytics 

• The ability to analyse and manipulate data to inform content and strategy and present key information in a meaningful way 

• Excellent copywriting skills and a creative eye to produce high-quality, engaging content for a range of audiences 

• Up to date knowledge of image, style and branding 

• The ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work effectively 

• A team player with a positive, cheerful attitude and a willingness to become involved in the life of the school and engage with a wide variety of people 

• Excellent IT skills, with experience of website content management systems and design/editing tools 

• Basic video editing experience, to produce clips for use on the school website and social media

• Creative photography skills

• Discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality

• A demonstrable understanding of the principles of GDPR and data security

• Supportive of the aims and ethos of PGS

Benefits:

The school is a strong supporter of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and support staff wishing to undertake appropriate professional training can apply for financial support towards any associated costs.

Key financial benefits of employment at PGS include a generous salary structure and leave allowance.  The salary will be in a range of £22,870 to £24,152 per annum, depending upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Annual leave should be taken during PGS school holidays and not during term times. 

The hours of work will be 37.5 per week, 08.30 – 16.30 each day with a 30 minute unpaid lunchbreak. Some flexibility is required to support occasional evening and weekend events and to work additional hours at busy times.

A two course lunch is provided during term time.

The school will auto-enrol eligible support staff into the NEST pension scheme and also offers an alternative pension scheme with Scottish Widows whereby if the employee contributes 6.5% of salary the school will contribute 8.5%.  We also have a non-contributory death-in-service policy. 

The school is an approved operator of the ‘salary sacrifice’ Cycle to Work Scheme. Additional benefits include free use of the school’s Sports facilities which include a well-equipped Fitness Centre.  

The school is always looking for innovative ways to improve the working conditions and remuneration of its employees and welcomes suggestions from all staff.

How to apply:

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check. 

Further information is available on the website at www.pgs.org.uk under the ‘About Us’ section and any queries regarding the vacancy should be emailed to HR@pgs.org.uk. 

An electronic application would be preferable, submitted to HR@pgs.org.uk.  All applicants should complete a support staff application form, with a full curriculum vitae and a covering letter addressed to the Head, Dr Anne Cotton. Please include email addresses whenever available.  All applications should be accompanied by the names, addresses, email and telephone numbers of two referees.

The closing date for receipt of applications is noon, 4th November 2021. Interviews will take place in school during w/c 8th November 2021.  

We look forward to hearing from you.