Sutton Valence School

Candidate Information

Marketing Officer

Sutton Valence

one school, many journeys

The School Sutton Valence School consists of Sutton Valence School (SVS) and Sutton Valence Preparatory School (SVPS). SVS is an independent, HMC co-educational day and boarding school. It is part of, and overlooks, the picturesque village of Sutton Valence five miles from Maidstone. The roll at Sutton Valence is currently 560 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 of which 115 are boarders. Class sizes are small and the overall pupil-staff ratio of 9:1 enables Sutton Valence pupils to benefit from the close guidance and individual attention of teachers. The academic staff are all highly-qualified subject specialists.

Contained within the 100 acre site, there are excellent games pitches, a superb all-weather playing surface and a sports centre which contains a state of the art fitness suite.

The School has a fine musical tradition and a flourishing drama department. Sutton Valence Preparatory School occupies its own site in the neighbouring village of Chart Sutton and currently has 280 pupils between the ages of 3 and 11. In addition, the School has a number of residential properties contained within the School sites and also in the village of Sutton Valence.

Vision, Mission and Ethos Vision Through membership of our community and the academic and co-curricular opportunities it provides, we believe that all young people in our School will be enabled to fulfil their true potential. We want our students to be confident civilised, tolerant and open-minded individuals who possess a love of learning and a strong set of values reflecting our principles as a Christian Foundation. Our Mission is to provide:

A caring, supportive and inclusive community for the education of children aged 3-18, day and boarding;

A challenging, relevant and broad curriculum delivered in ways that allow all to achieve;

An outstanding range of sporting, artistic, cultural and social activities, and opportunities so that children can develop skills such as self-discipline, commitment, leadership and teamwork;

A safe, secure and stimulating environment which promotes excellence, independence and high standards whilst providing support to all who need it;

A grounding in moral and spiritual understanding which will promote respect for others, along with self-respect.

Ethos A community where each cares for all and individuality is cherished.

The Post The Marketing Officer is responsible to the Director of Admissions and Marketing. In collaboration with the Director of Admissions and Marketing, the Marketing Officer is responsible for the planning, design, and delivery of all marketing activities, including advertising and social media campaigns, website management, PR, production of marketing communications and publications. In addition, the marketing Officer will plan and manage photography and videography and provide support to School events across both sites.

Key Responsibilities Advertising

In collaboration with the Director of Admissions and Marketing, develop the annual advertising plan and detailed termly plans;

Book advertising space in traditional print, local, regional and national media and agree draft copy and design for these advertisements with the Director of Admissions and Marketing;

Identify digital advertising opportunities, including a range of social media platforms, book space and create draft copy;

Design advertisements (print and digital), adhering closely to brand guidelines, to support agreed promotional objectives;

Monitor all advertising channels to evaluate effectiveness and amend plans as appropriate.

Website and Social Media Responsibility for the development and management of the School’s

website, including posting news items, pictures and using iSAMS (the School’s database) to utilise relevant information on the website and parent portals;

Develop an annual maintenance plan and ensure that the website is refreshed and kept up to date in terms of text and picture content and work with other staff responsible for individual pages to update their areas as necessary;

Utilise Google Analytics, and any other industry-standard software to track and monitor traffic to the School website to ensure optimisation, effectiveness and reach;

In collaboration with the Director of Admissions and Marketing, implement, manage and adjust our social media strategy as necessary, based on research data.

Digital Publications Responsibility for producing weekly newsletters for both the Senior and

Preparatory Schools; Weekly collation of news stories for use in digital newsletters and

magazines;

Effective coding of all new stories on the School website and for newsletter and inspection purposes;

Creation of fortnightly Careers Bulletin;

Production of ad-hoc digital publications, e.g. digital Christmas cards, videos for social media, photo-reels for events.

Marketing communications and publications

Collaborate with relevant staff in the production of communications, including booklets, handbooks, brochures and other printed publications as required;

Responsibility for designing professional quality publications and other marketing collateral in line with the agreed brand standards;

Contribute to, monitor and uphold corporate standards of communication, style and branding throughout the School, including site signage and presentation.

PR

In association with the Director of Admissions, identify stories and organise the preparation of draft copy to offer to the media, cultivating favourable media contacts and opportunities, supply press information and assist with any media and press events;

Responsibility for the circulation and distribution of relevant stories and news items to our internal audiences, to include staff, parents, pupils, Governors and Prep School Heads (where appropriate).

Events

Working with the Head of SVPS, Alumni Relations and Development Manager, Admissions, and the Master in Charge of Prep School Liaison, the Marketing Officer will assist in the planning and delivery of appropriate events for different audiences to provide opportunities for them to meet staff, current pupils and parents.

Photography and Videography

Create and maintain a record of School photography to ensure availability of images suitable for promotional activities-advertisements, websites and publications;

Book external photographers/videographers and manage photo and film shoots as required;

Develop a library of School videos for website and social media use. This is a key appointment within the School and the selected candidate will have the presence, skills, knowledge and experience to deliver the School’s marketing programme to the highest standards.

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience

Hold a relevant higher education qualification or have demonstrable, significant, high-quality experience working in a consumer marketing environment;

Possess outstanding knowledge and experience of managing social media and the digital marketing arena;

Have experience of design and print management and the ability to work productively with suppliers;

Have an understanding of the marketing environment in a school context.

Must be able to:

Balance effectively the priorities of the School;

Operate independently under broad direction;

Offer insights and generate ideas with practical application;

Work collaboratively with others in order to achieve practical results;

Show initiative and be able to make things happen;

Be proactive in all areas of responsibility;

Meet deadlines and thrive under pressure;

Be effective and comfortable in a representational role;

Demonstrate a high level of organisation and excellent time management.

Must have:

Commitment to Sutton Valence School, and be able to demonstrate an understanding of its ethos and the School’s ambitions for the future;

High levels of energy and a ‘can do’ attitude

Excellent writing, editing and production of engaging and distinctive marketing materials and publications;

Good creative judgement, with an eye for photographic selection and an appreciation of graphic and typographic design;

Proven ability with Mailchimp and Microsoft applications;

Thorough approach and exceptional attention to detail;

Strong sense of self-awareness and a willingness to learn;

High standards of personal and professional presentation;

High level of integrity and confidentiality;

Excellent person-to-person skills and the ability to manage challenging situations with diplomacy and humour when appropriate.

Outline Conditions This is a full time post that is required throughout the year and not just term time. There will be a requirement for occasional Saturday and evening working to support Marketing and Admissions events.

The salary is circa £29,500 per annum. The annual holiday entitlement is five weeks plus bank holidays, to be taken outside of term time. Lunch is available in the refectory free of charge during term time. Staff may use the excellent fitness facilities in the Sports Hall at the senior site in the evening, if not being used. The School operates a contributory pension scheme which is open to all members of staff. Staff with a contract for at least one full term and who have children who attend the School will be eligible to receive a discount in respect of School fees. The current rate of discount is 65% for full-time staff, and for part-time staff the relevant percentage will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

Any offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, the completion of a successful medical examination and criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of the School’s child protection policy may be found on the School’s website and applicants are expected to have read it if invited for interview.

Application Process Candidates will only be considered, in the absence of good reason, if a fully completed application form has been submitted; CVs will not be accepted in substitution. Accompanying letters of application should state what particular skills and attributes you can bring to Sutton Valence School, brief details of how you fit the position, including specific details of skills, experience and achievements, and details of any interests and hobbies.

To apply, complete the application and monitoring form and email it with a covering letter to hradmin@svs.org.uk or post it for the attention of the Assistant Bursar, Sutton Valence School, North Street, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3HL.

Closing date: Friday 11th October 2019

Please note: We reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.

A member of The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation. Registered Charity No 1181012

Sutton Valence School

North Street

Sutton Valence

Kent ME17 3HL

www.svs.org.uk

01622 845200