Birmingham is the UK’s second city with the youngest urban population in one of the most lively and diverse regions. The Church of England Birmingham, founded in 1905, is one of the 41 dioceses of the Church of England. It covers an area of nearly 300 square miles and includes parishes in Birmingham and parts of Solihull, Sandwell, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Right at the heart of what we do there are over 187 worshipping communities with an average weekly attendance of 17,000. In these churches are clergy, lay leaders and church-goers representing a wide scope of tradition, ethnicity, age and background. It is a time of new opportunities and potential in the Church of England Birmingham as under the episcopal leadership of our Bishops, we seek to respond to God and shape ministry and mission for a changing church and world as part of our ‘Transforming Church’ vision.
The CofE Birmingham Communications Team
The Visual Content Producer role is one part of a highly skilled team of creative communicators who work together though their complimentary expertise to produce high quality resources for the Church of England Birmingham and beyond. The CofEB Communications team comprises, the Director of Communications (functioning also as the Senior Editor), a Graphic Designer (including animation and photography skills) and a Publications Support Officer. Together with the Visual Content Producer they skilfully deliver creative print and digital communications in highly precise timeframes, published though a number of digital platforms and as printed media. To enable a high level of quality control and the regular production of films for training and communication purposes, the Communications Team has a well-equipped dedicated Studio space, maintained by the Visual Content Producer.
Nose-to-tail digital production focusing on timely social media and website content creation, utilizing strong writing, visual appreciation, photography and filming making skills
Manage and deliver on an on-going detailed multi-project and campaign workload
Approach deadlines and issues pro-actively, working as a fully integrated collaborative member of the wider Communications Team
To follow briefs and be highly adaptable to sudden changes in a project’s direction or timeline, appropriately proposing innovative ways to redefine a brief within time and cost constraints
Work creatively with the Director of Communications to address key stakeholders/audience needs through translating conceptual subject matter into visual narratives, ensuring CofEB has a strong and growing digital presence
Work with internal and external content creators to produce a range of audience focused media, that maintains the interests of, and contributes to, the strategy of CofEB
Produce high-quality film content, raw footage and photography for a wide variety of audiences and platforms, including our learning platform, though utilising the CofEB Studio, and on location
Maintain the CofEB Studio and its related equipment to optimal working conditions and in line with current professional and Health & Safety standards
Lead the technical set up and facilitate, live streamed events and skills training, frequently involving external clients and freelancers
As agreed with the Director of Communications, attend events and activities pertinent to the CofEB and its Bishops to produce and capture content for the diocesan website, social media, press and internal platforms by delivering film, photography, design and written word content
Work with Communications Team colleagues in maintaining the CofEB website with special responsibility for growing, maintaining and populating with content, the News & Stories sections
Work with and deputise for the Director of Communications in matters of media and press engagement when required
Maintain and promote a high level of professionalism in all scenarios
Keep up to date with emerging technologies
Actively learn and develop as a communications professional
Mature, competent and realistic creative thinking ability
Enthusiastic and highly adaptable team focused individual
An appreciation for the Christian ethos and a passion to communicate the story of Jesus and His Church
Proven ability for creating high quality content for social media and websites using:
Film
Photography
Written Word
Graphics and Sound/ music
Use of video editing software
High level organisational skills to deliver on multiple briefs, with an excellent ability to keenly prioritise and keep unerringly to deadlines
Practical appreciation of production management
Ability to think strategically and incorporate appropriate ‘big picture narratives’ into individual and specified content
Strong commitment to promoting communications which are representative across our diversity, including intergenerational, demographical, cultural, ethnicity and disability
Excellent written English skills
Highly developed professional confidentiality
Proficient in Office 365, Zoom, Microsoft Teams as well as creative packages and a willingness to learn additional applications
A willingness to swiftly learn about the Church of England, it’s structures and doctrine, and its breadth of understandings and contexts
Demonstrate a keen interest and enthusiasm for the discipline of professional structured communications
The ability to travel the length and breadth of a diverse region, which might be most effective using your own transport
Excellent, practical and demonstratable understanding of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter/X, You Tube and Instagram and their content requirements
Portfolio of published social media campaigns and films, self -produced or executed to a client brief
Experience of social media publishing tools such as Sprout Social or Hootsuite
Demonstrable experience in producing high-quality audio-visual content from scratch as an integral part of a skilled creative team, working under the leadership of a Senior Editor or similar
Some experience of working with the Press, or proven experience of supporting colleagues in a pressured, highly time sensitive environment, would be beneficial.
We will expect a successful candidate to have a proven track record and demonstrable experience within a professional creative environment, utilising the skills represented above, however will also consider someone with a relevant FE or HE qualification alongside a strong work portfolio, who is proactively looking to develop their professional skills and mindset.
Hours: Part-time 21 hours (3 or 4 days) per week. Some weekend/evening work may be required, for which the equivalent time may be taken back from standard working hours.
Salary and Pension: Salary of £17,640, pro-rated from the fte of £29,400 plus membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution
Holidays: 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays and 3 Discretionary Days between Christmas and New Year
Employer: Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance
Responsible To: The Communications Director
CLOSING DATE: WEDNESDAY 15 MAY
INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD IN BIRMINGHAM ON: WEDNESDAY 29 MAY
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work.
We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.