External Communications and Events Officer

at  YMCA Doncaster

We are looking for an experienced Communications professional with an understanding of the charity sector and supporter-focused communications to join us and make a significant impact on our work with young people in central Doncaster.
We are currently finalising our next Forward Plan, with an ambition to create an inclusive, vibrant community, committed to everyone having a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become. We currently work with children and young people aged 5 to 30, undertaking some great projects which deserve better recognition locally and beyond. We are part of the YMCA federation, making use of a joint brand and key messaging that we share with colleagues across England and Wales.
This is a new role, recognising that we need to do more to promote the products and services that we offer as well as the impact that we have. We want to build awareness of the YMCA and to engage more people in supporting our work, enabling us to offer more opportunities for young people in the city.
This is a fabulous opportunity to make your mark on young lives in Doncaster.

Main Responsibilities

• To efficiently create long form content including website articles, information for print material, case studies, media releases and similar.
• To organise three supporter focused events each year (initially a sponsored sleep out, a Christmas event and a showcase/impact report launch).
• To oversee adherance to key messaging, branding and voice across all external communications.
• To keep the WordPress website up to date.
• To oversee distribution of regular media releases and associated enquiries, interviews and similar.
• To keep the email joiner sequence up to date and refreshed, using email to move people from a single connection towards being a warm and committed part of the YMCA.
• To provide a monthly supporter focused round-up email.
• To work to a planned calendar of events, publicity and launches across all products and services.
• To create responsive publicity around ad-hoc successes.
• To attend networking and similar events where appropriate to current communications priorities, and to co-ordinate presence at the annual Business Showcase.
• To co-ordinate design and print for funded projects, supporter-focused products and an annual impact publication.
• To create visualisations for data and impact.
• To visit local YMCA charity shops regularly to ensure that YMCA Doncaster’s material is up to date and displayed effectively.
• To engage with an external Google Ads provider, making best use of the Google Ads grant to support communications work and ensure a positive ROI.
• To ensure that all staff and volunteers joining YMCA Doncaster have an onboarding session to encourage their contribution to positive communications.
• To supervise / oversee volunteers and less experienced staff engaged in communications tasks, and to provide templates and instructions as appropriate.
• To comply with fundraising and other legislation relevant to the role.
• To recommend updates to relevant policies in accordance with changes to legislation or operating practice.
• To report to the Chief Executive monthly in the required format.
• To approach the role with professionalism, and to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff, clients and others.
• Additional or other duties as necessary within your capabilities and status to meet the needs of YMCA Doncaster.

Person Specification

• A recent track record of success in an employed role focused on external communications.
• Experience of co-ordinating successful multi-channel campaigns.
• Experience or understanding of the charity / voluntary sector and key issues for communication with beneficiaries, supporters and the broader public.
• Experience of measuring continuous improvement and return on investment in communications work.
• Exceptionally strong written communication skills, a strong command of grammar and meticulous attention to detail.
• Able to articulate YMCA Doncaster’s work effectively to a range of audiences including beneficiaries and supporters.
• Proficient in WordPress, with the ability to create and customise page layouts, manage plugins, update content and ensure basic functionality issues are addressed.
• Experience of basic graphic design work (we work on Canva).
• Self-motivated and self-supporting, with the ability to work methodically and efficiently, programming work to allow for unexpected or short-notice opportunities / needs.
• Able to supervise and support volunteers and others to complete communications tasks efficiently.
• Computer literate, able to use Microsoft Word and Excel to a high standard, and able to use technology in gathering information and producing content.
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality and appropriate relationships, and a clear understanding of the importance of those.
• Able to represent the Association positively, professionally and with credibility.

• To efficiently create long form content including website articles, information for print material, case studies, media releases and similar.
• To organise three supporter focused events each year (initially a sponsored sleep out, a Christmas event and a showcase/impact report launch).
• To oversee adherance to key messaging, branding and voice across all external communications.
• To keep the WordPress website up to date.
• To oversee distribution of regular media releases and associated enquiries, interviews and similar.
• To keep the email joiner sequence up to date and refreshed, using email to move people from a single connection towards being a warm and committed part of the YMCA.
• To provide a monthly supporter focused round-up email.
• To work to a planned calendar of events, publicity and launches across all products and services.
• To create responsive publicity around ad-hoc successes.
• To attend networking and similar events where appropriate to current communications priorities, and to co-ordinate presence at the annual Business Showcase.
• To co-ordinate design and print for funded projects, supporter-focused products and an annual impact publication.
• To create visualisations for data and impact.
• To visit local YMCA charity shops regularly to ensure that YMCA Doncaster’s material is up to date and displayed effectively.
• To engage with an external Google Ads provider, making best use of the Google Ads grant to support communications work and ensure a positive ROI.
• To ensure that all staff and volunteers joining YMCA Doncaster have an onboarding session to encourage their contribution to positive communications.
• To supervise / oversee volunteers and less experienced staff engaged in communications tasks, and to provide templates and instructions as appropriate.
• To comply with fundraising and other legislation relevant to the role.
• To recommend updates to relevant policies in accordance with changes to legislation or operating practice.
• To report to the Chief Executive monthly in the required format.
• To approach the role with professionalism, and to maintain appropriate boundaries with staff, clients and others.
• Additional or other duties as necessary within your capabilities and status to meet the needs of YMCA Doncaster