Marketing Officer

Reports to: Head of Consumer Marketing

Introduction to this role

Walker Books, the UK’s leading independent children’s book publisher, is home to a prestigious list of award-winning and bestselling authors, illustrators and brands. 

We have an opportunity for a creative and proactive Marketing Officer to play a key role in our busy consumer marketing team, devising and implementing effective campaigns across our list.   

Your role will involve writing engaging copy, briefing our in-house design team and external agencies, managing campaign budgets, developing partnerships with third parties, and co-ordinating consumer marketing activity at events.  

Working with our Digital Marketing Officer you will co-ordinate the digital and social elements of your campaigns, including running our picture books blog, setting up social media advertising, creating videos/trailers, sending email newsletters and updating campaign websites.  

We’re looking for a creative marketeer with plenty of ideas for campaigns that will engage readers and drive sales. You will have a strong background in marketing, be a confident communicator, and adept at juggling a range of projects and deadlines. 

The position requires a passion for children’s books and publishing, therefore candidates will need to have previous publishing experience, or experience working with key children’s brands.

To be responsible for the creation, implementation and execution of innovative consumer marketing plans for books, brands, authors and licensed product 

• Contribute ideas and opinions to marketing strategy and campaign planning meetings, working closely with colleagues in publicity and trade marketing to co-ordinate activity  
• Write engaging promotional copy across a wide range of marketing materials and media
• Brief in-house designer and external agencies (e.g. media agency) on projects 
• Develop relationships with appropriate third parties to promote Walker Books, brands and authors
• Cost and monitor budgets for campaigns, ensuring the in-house budget is updated  
• Develop relationships with print suppliers and liaise with in-house production team to ensure best price for promotional material 
• Analysis of campaigns to inform future planning 
• Maximise opportunities for sampling/data collection at events and organisation of marketing events where relevant 
• Develop relationships with key authors and their agents/estates and communicate marketing plans with them on a regular basis
• Co-ordinate consumer marketing activity at events as appropriate 
• Contribute to monthly board reports updating on consumer activity

To work with the Digital Marketing Officer on all aspects of digital marketing, social media and website activity 

• Assist with and co-ordinate digital marketing elements of campaigns including:
• Social media advertising 
• Working with illustrators/freelancers on the creation of videos and trailers 
• Pulling together assets and content for online campaigns 
• Updating campaign mini sites and competition pages 
• Creating and managing email newsletters 
• Liaising with authors on their online marketing ideas, and supporting them where appropriate 
• Working with PR on campaign ideas to engage online influencers 
• Keeping abreast of emerging digital trends, with an awareness of the new opportunities presented by digital marketing 

General responsibilities  

• To attend events as and when necessary, including evenings and weekends
• To undertake any additional duties as required in order to support the Marketing Department in order to achieve the objectives of the department and Walker Books Ltd

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Marketing Officer

The following experience, skills and knowledge are essential:

Experience of:

• The basic principles of marketing 
• Minimum two years in a publishing environment
• Copy-writing, design and marketing skills
• Communicating confidently both in-house and out-of-house 
• Working to tight deadlines and juggling a range of campaigns and projects
• Demonstrable understanding of social media marketing and how to apply this to campaigns

Proven Skills in:

• Computer usage, particularly Microsoft office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• A range of social media platforms
• Website CMS systems and blogging platforms  
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage a varied workload 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a persuasive communicator
• Highly self-motivated and enjoy working as part of a team, but also able to work independently

The following experience is desirable:

• Basic video creation and editing

Knowledge of:

• Children’s book publishing industry, or children’s books

Salary: Competitive with a great benefits package

Location: Vauxhall, London

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time 

Closing date: 9th June 2019

If you are interested in applying for this role please send your CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@walker.co.uk