The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking a Content and Production Manager to join our Digital, Brand & Marketing department, providing key support to all teams across the organisation by managing regular digital content production for the Academy’s website, email newsletters and social media channels.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Content and Production Manager oversees both content production and website development for the British Academy. The successful candidate will lead the commissioning, production and management of creative, engaging content for the British Academy’s digital channels. Furthermore, they will manage the ongoing development of the British Academy’s website, including the relationship with the website development agency.

A key requirement of the role is the ability to deal calmly and efficiently with demands from a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and prioritise workloads effectively. This includes providing advice, best practice and guidance on digital content, strategy and website development.

The postholder will demonstrate thoroughness and attention to detail in all aspects of the work. All information on the website must be accurate and of a consistently high standard, so they will need to gain an excellent knowledge of the Academy’s work, support its aims and be aware of trends in digital communication, website development and social media.  

The Content and Production Manager is a vital role in the Digital, Brand & Marketing Team, which is part of the Communications Directorate. The Directorate works to raise the profile of the British Academy among a wide range of audiences. It is organised into four teams who collaborate closely on all aspects of our work: Digital, Events, News and Public Affairs, and Publishing.

The Digital Team is responsible for delivering a range of digital channels, ensuring an excellent user experience and providing opportunities to showcase the Academy’s work in an engaging and accessible way.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and team management

• Line manage one Content Producer (possibly two Content Producers, subject to funding).

• Provide leadership for the digital content and production team, helping to manage workload and chairing team meetings.

• Train members of the digital content and production team in all the team’s processes and tools.

• Deputise for the Deputy Head of Digital (Content and Production) when required.

Content management

• Work with colleagues to identify content needs, gaps and requirements and to plan and schedule new content accordingly.

• Actively manage the Academy’s website homepage, ensuring that relevant content is signposted, and optimising content based on regular reviews of traffic and engagement.

• Actively manage the Academy’s email campaign management platform, ensuring that newsletter contacts groups are kept up to date.

• Deliver training and on-boarding of new Academy staff in the digital and brand tools and processes, including the website content management system and the Academy’s style guide.

Content production

• Proactively collaborate with colleagues across the Academy to create and publish digital content and products in support of the Academy’s policy projects, research funding schemes, events programmes and communications campaigns.

• Manage and oversee the commissioning and production of high-quality, creative and engaging digital content (including email newsletters, blogs, podcasts and videos) for a range of different audiences, ensuring that production processes, schedules and techniques adhere to digital best-practice.

• Moderate the Academy’s website, advising colleagues across the organisation on website best-practice, accessibility, sourcing and rights-clearing images, copy editing and the Academy’s style guide.

• Report on the performance of digital content, including webpages and email newsletters, using insights and trends to optimise subsequent publications.

Channel management

• Manage the ongoing iterative development of the British Academy’s website, consistently working to improve key metrics, and regularly briefing and testing new features.

• Manage some aspects of the website development budget.

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with an external digital agency, regularly briefing and testing new website features.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• All Academy teams

External

• Content production agencies

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Educated to bachelor’s degree level, qualified by experience, or equivalent

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

An effective communicator who treats all colleagues fairly and equally, with openness, empathy and respect:

• Demonstrable ability to collaborate professionally with external organisations and individuals in overseeing a multifaceted website with a range of target audiences.

• Adept at forming and maintaining professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Positive attitude to challenges and co-operation with colleagues.

• A professional and confident approach when dealing with a variety of people.

• Interpersonal and team working skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate aims, creative approach, priorities and concerns.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills.

• Ability to professionally produce and manage digital content for a range of different audiences on behalf of a high-profile organisation.

• Familiar with using project management tools, including trello and jira.

• Highly skilled in digital communications, content strategy, digital design, accessibility, UX, usability and SEO.

• Demonstrable ability to produce effective content for different platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, SoundCloud and LinkedIn to a professional standard.

• Knowledgeable and confident when working with a CMS.

• Knowledge of using CRM systems to support digital marketing and mailings.

• Excellent understanding of Analytics platforms - particularly Google Analytics, and ability to use insights to improve performance.

• Excellent proofreading, copywriting and editing skills.

• Good eye for strong, impactful images and good working knowledge of Photoshop.

• Ability to use video and audio editing and streaming tools to a professional standard, and knowledgeable about online video publishing.

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Knowledge of the current digital landscape and emerging trends.

• Ability to suggest new digital solutions and present innovative ideas to optimise digital channels.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Able to prioritise effectively and delegate when appropriate.

• Methodical, with an excellent eye for detail.

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions 

• Demonstrable ability to supportively and respectfully lead, motivate and organise a content team.

• Comfortable advising senior colleagues.

• Confident, open-minded, flexible and enthusiastic outlook.

• Be driven and enthusiastic, be dependable, adaptable, articulate, calm under pressure, very organised and detail oriented.

• Knowledgeable about the work and values of the British Academy.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Right to work in the UK

• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview, which may incorporate a task component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for week commencing 11 December 2023 but this may change.