Head of Marketing and Communications

Salary: £32,000 - £36,000

Sheffield DocFest is seeking an inspirational and experienced marketing and communications lead.

Sheffield DocFest is the UK’s leading documentary festival and one of the world’s most influential markets for documentary projects. We champion and present the breadth of documentary form – film, television, immersive and art – in the vibrant city of Sheffield each June. We offer makers and audiences a place for inspiration, debate, development, learning and challenge. Our programming represents our core values – creativity, empathy, freedom, inclusivity, and internationalism.

In 2021 Sheffield DocFest hosted a hybrid edition, with over 45,000 virtual and in-person attendances and 2056 industry delegates from over 70 countries.

We intend that Sheffield DocFest’s 29th edition will take place predominantly in-person, bringing documentary makers, professionals and audiences back to Sheffield between 23 – 28 June 2022.

The role

Sheffield DocFest is seeking an inspirational and experienced marketing and communications lead to develop and implement the marketing, branding and PR campaigns for Sheffield DocFest festival (June) and for our UK-wide and year-round touring programmes, exhibitions and events.

Reporting to the Interim CEO, they will work collaboratively on organisational strategy and take the lead on audience development plans. They will be passionate about film, TV, immersive and art, have a good knowledge of documentary, and possess a strong aptitude for balancing cultural and business objectives.

They will manage the Communications Coordinator and the Publications Editor as well as the external PR consultants and recruit and manage a team of short-term contractors to deliver their campaign and audience development plans. They will be adaptable and take a solutions-focused approach with the ability to make ad hoc decisions in a fast-paced, grass-roots environment. 

Sheffield DocFest screens c. 140 feature, mid-length and short films. Our 2021 programme included works from over 60 countries, with 47 languages represented.

Sheffield DocFest is currently reviewing its operating model. At present it is expected that you will report to the Interim CEO until the end of the June 2022 Festival until a new, ongoing leadership structure is established. The role is offered as a 18-month contract position (two festival editions) with a view to extending.

Audiences: marketing, communications, editorial

• Lead on developing and implementing the marketing and branding campaign for Sheffield DocFest festival (June) and for any UK-wide or year-round touring programmes, exhibitions and events;
• Collaborate with internal senior programmers and curators to devise and deliver bespoke audience development plans (B2C) for public access programmes, including the overall film programme, the Guest Curator sections, Alternate Realities, Talks and Sessions, and Special Events; plan to grow Sheffield and UK-wide audiences with consideration of pandemic impact data regarding return to events/cinemas and other audience trends;  
• Collaborate with the Head of Industry to devise and deliver compelling campaigns (B2B) that attract UK and international delegate participation, positioning DocFest as the UK’s leading documentary festival and one of the world’s most influential documentary marketplaces;
• Collaborate with the Head of HR and Participation to ensure that audience and industry development plans align with, and support the delivery of, the organisation’s Diversity and Inclusion plan.
• In collaboration with the Interim CEO, set the strategy and devise the PR plan with the Festival’s contracted PR consultants, and the key contact between PR consultants and the wider programming team and high-profile Festival Guests; contribute to drafting and proof-reading press releases as required;
• Lead on the Festival’s Programme Launch, and on any other promotional events and networking receptions in the pre-Festival campaign phase; 
• Develop Sheffield DocFest’s destination tourism offer, in conjunction with local and regional tourism bodies and the Sheffield City Council;
• Work collaboratively with the Head of HR and Participation and the Community Programmes Producer to devise local outreach strategies;
• In consultation with the Interim CEO and the Partnerships and Operations Director, set the ticket pricing and sales strategies, occupancy targets and other KPIs, and with the Head of Production and Operations, devise a system for maximising occupancy across pass-holders and single session ticket-buyers;
• Lead on the creation and production of merchandise ranges and their sales, and where items are sponsored, work in conjunction with the Partnerships and Operations Director;
• Provide creative brief and manage Festival’s graphic designers to promote and develop the Sheffield DocFest brand; working with programmers and curators to review tone of voice and update style guide ensuring that it is consistently adhered to; ensure the organisation is represented by its correct branding and logo on all platforms; supervise the use of templates supplied by graphic designers to create Sheffield DocFest adverts for partner communications.

This role is is full-time, with flexible/remote working an option. The successful candidate will be in Sheffield for the duration of the Festival.

More details and apply

For full details including how to apply, download Sheffield DocFest’s job pack here (Word and PDF).

The closing date for this position is 06/12/2021 at 23:59