DEPARTMENT: Fundraising and Communications

Part 1: JOB PROFILE

DEPARTMENT: Fundraising and Communications

JOB TITLE: Design & Brand Manager

WORKING BASE: Samaritans’ General Office, Ewell, Surrey

DESCRIPTION UPDATED: May 2014

1.  MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

·  Manage and develop Samaritans’ brand to make sure there is a clear understanding of the organisation, improve our messaging and work to remove old brand materials in branches.

·  Implement and manage Samaritans’ corporate visual identity across all media to make sure that the brand is consistently and appropriately promoted to a wide range of internal and external audiences.

·  Introduce and manage The POD for the provision of design services across a variety of print, display and digital media to branches and Central Charity so that the brand is used appropriately.

·  Manage the marketing and sales of products on The POD and help develop proactive marketing campaigns for delivery in branches.

·  Work closely with other Communications team managers to ensure consistent team working with clear key messaging and delivery.

2.  POSITION IN ORGANISATION

·  Reports to Head of Communications.

·  Manages Design and Production Officer(s).

·  Manages external design agencies and freelancers, printers and promotional item suppliers, photographers and film makers.

·  Provides specialist advice to staff and volunteers at all levels who require design and/or production support.

3.  SCOPE OF JOB

·  Manage the creative, consistent and appropriate promotion of our corporate visual identity.

·  Art direction, page layout and artwork across all formats; print and digital.

·  Internal project management.

·  External supplier management.

·  Manage Samaritans’ photo and artwork libraries.

·  Ensure legal compliance.

4.  DIMENSIONS AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY

·  Provides management and support for staff and volunteers on all design and production matters including: visual identity elements of brand; print and online material created for the purposes of fundraising, service delivery and key stakeholder events.

·  Line manages the Design and Production Officer(s).

·  Key role in shaping briefs, producing creative ideas and applying these to promote our brand and service in the most engaging way to a variety of audiences, and sourcing cost-effective formats.

5.  QUALIFICATIONS

·  Design graduate.

·  Additional qualifications / training to show commitment to keeping up-to-date with current and emerging design technologies desirable.

6.  SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

·  Demonstrable and extensive experience of supplying design and production services to clients (internal and external).

·  High degree of computer literacy: advanced Adobe Creative Suite (primarily InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge, Acrobat - experience of practical application to web formats essential). Basic word processing and database skills to ensure administrative self-sufficiency.

·  Strong skills in MS Word and PowerPoint and ability to produce effective design with more limited graphic software.

·  Demonstrable experience of commissioning designers and photographers. Experience of working with film makers desirable.

·  Strong awareness of cross-platform compatibility across a range of formats (PC and Mac). Demonstrable technical troubleshooting experience.

·  Experience of, and skilled at, producing a range of high-quality printed and digital design materials across a range of formats eg leaflets, newsletters, brochures, posters, adverts, presentations, exhibitions etc.

·  Able to interpret visual identity guidelines and apply them creatively and consistently across a range of materials, specifically awareness and fundraising.

·  Experience of, and a thorough, up-to-date knowledge of, the legal aspects of copyright and licensing as they apply to artwork.

·  Strong project management skills.

·  Able to maintain positive relationships with clients and key suppliers.

7.  PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

·  Creative, good listener and able to understand and interpret the client needs.

·  Clear and persuasive self-expression / strong negotiation skills in person, over the phone and in writing.

·  Able to offer a consistently high level of customer service.

·  Well-organised, proactive and able to prioritise own work.

·  Good eye for detail, especially in relation to application of visual identity.

·  Flexible – can respond professionally to changing briefs, deadlines and priorities.

PART 2: DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the creative, consistent and appropriate promotion of our Brand

·  Lead on the management and delivery of the organisational brand (visual identity) and assist in its further development. This includes print and digital materials.

·  Manage key brand products: full visual identity guidelines, brand guardian model, resources and templates, and image library.

·  Provide specialist advice to staff, branches and external agencies to ensure all materials are on brand.

·  Ensure that the design and production function contributes effectively to Samaritans’ strategic goals.

·  Establish and maintain strong relationships with the senior volunteer body including Functional Lead for Marketing and RMOs for design and online products.

Art direction, page layout and artwork across all formats; print and digital

·  Create strong, original design solutions for the purposes of marketing, fundraising, service delivery and internal communications, in print and digital, which conform to our visual identity. This to include leaflets, brochures, newsletters, animated gifs, online banners, charity of the year applications, direct mail items, visual themes for events, presentations and other audio-visual etc.

·  Undertake layout and artwork for agreed jobs, to a high standard and to agreed deadlines.

·  Utilise creative techniques such as brainstorms, mood boards, and scamps etc to ensure that concepts are clearly agreed before page layout begins.

Internal project management

·  Work with other Communication team managers to create a new way of working in order to discuss and agree design deadlines and priorities.

·  Manage the Design and Production Officer(s) so that their work is of a high quality and meets agreed deadlines.

·  Ensure each design project follows the briefing process; to support other Communications team staff in taking and agreeing briefs and schedules.

·  Ensure that volunteer enquires for the supply of design collateral, and for other support and advice, are responded to in a positive and timely manner.

·  Manage the storage and archiving of ongoing and completed work in a clear, well-organised and accessible manner.

External supplier management

·  Source, commission and manage a roster of external design freelancers and agencies to ensure they provide high-quality services appropriate to Samaritans’ needs, to agreed deadlines and costs.

·  Source, commission and oversee the management of a roster of external print, promotion and production suppliers to ensure best price and quality for each job, including reprinting and updating around 150 product catalogue items annually.

·  Source, commission and manage external photographers as and when required.

·  All of the above includes producing appropriate briefs, specifications, and schedules, as well as checking and signing off final artwork, proofs, and images.

Manage Samaritans’ photo and artwork libraries

·  Ensure Samaritans staff and volunteers have access to a wide range of relevant, high-quality imagery using appropriate software.

·  Create and implement a rolling plan to keep the image and artwork library up-to-date and relevant, including liaising with key staff and volunteers to assess their needs, sourcing from external libraries, photo commissions and volunteer contributions.

Ensure legal compliance

·  Ensure that all design services and material commissioned and used by Samaritans Communications team conform to current legislation and best practice, especially in the areas of copyright and licensing.

·  Provide specialist support and advice to other staff and volunteers concerning the legal implications of copyright and licensing.

Staff management

·  Line manages the Design and Production Officer(s), supporting them on a daily basis in their work.

·  Sets and regularly reviews individual objectives in line with Communications objectives.

·  Conducts and records regular coaching and performance monitoring meetings /one-to-ones.

·  Conducts six-monthly performance and development reviews.

General Duties of a Samaritans’ Staff Member

·  Contribute to the effective and efficient running of the General Office as appropriate.

·  Participate, as appropriate, in staff forums and meetings.

·  Adhere to all Samaritans’ Polices and Procedures.

·  Represent the General Office appropriately across the movement and Samaritans to the wider community as appropriate.

·  Treat all colleagues, volunteers and members of the public with dignity and work within and adhere to Samaritans’ equal opportunities statement and polices.

·  Carry out any reasonable requests made that are within the broad remit of the role.

·  Attend key conferences and meetings where appropriate across the UK and ROI (up to 6 a year).