Communications & Marketing Assistant
Application Pack
November 2025

National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall (c) Hannah Hutchins

About us

National Centre for Writing (NCW) is a dynamic literature house for contemporary writing, rooted in Norwich and
open to the world. Our home is the Grade-I listed medieval Dragon Hall located on the historic King Street on the
banks of the Wensum River in the heart of Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. This landmark venue
consists of a 120-seat venue for live events, workshop spaces, and accommodation for writers’ residencies, as well as
office space for our core team of 21 staff members.

NCW exists to inspire connection, resilience, and understanding through writing, literary translation, reading, and
the exploration of ideas. We are a place for the exchange of stories. Founded as New Writing Partnership in 2003 and
becoming Writers’ Centre Norwich in 2008, the organisation has steadily grown to become a leading voice in the UK
and international literature sector as well as a key member of Arts Council England’s group of seven regional writer
and literature development organisations.

In summer 2018, NCW was launched with the restoration of Dragon Hall following a significant capital redevelopment
project. We are an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), for the period 2023–2028, and
we are the Focal Office for Norwich’s UNESCO City of Literature designation.

About the role

The Communications & Marketing Assistant will join a friendly, dynamic and forward-thinking Communications
& Development Team responsible for sharing NCW’s work with the world — increasing its visibility, reach and
engagement; growing income; and building meaningful relationships both within and beyond the organisation.
The team’s work spans a broad range of activity, including CRM and box office management, PR and media relations,
marketing, digital content, audience development and insight, interpretation, fundraising, memberships and
individual giving.

Working closely with colleagues across the Communications & Development, Programme and Operations teams, the

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Assistant will provide administrative, marketing, operational and event support to ensure the smooth and effective
delivery of all communications activity. This role is key to helping NCW deliver a professional, welcoming and high-
quality experience for our audiences, participants, artists, colleagues, media partners and stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone keen to develop a career in the arts. The successful candidate will
gain valuable insight into the workings of a high-profile cultural organisation, with opportunities to develop their
administration, communications and delivery skills while working alongside an inspiring range of artists, colleagues
and partners.

The role is based at Dragon Hall, our home in the heart of Norwich, though there is some flexibility around working
hours across the week.

About you

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, proactive and committed individual with excellent organisational, communication
and time management skills. You will bring strong verbal, written and IT abilities, along with demonstrable workplace
experience, ideally within the arts or wider cultural sector.

You’ll be confident managing a varied workload across multiple projects, maintaining a high standard of
professionalism and attention to detail. You’ll also bring creativity, initiative and a collaborative approach, working
effectively with a wide range of people — from colleagues and volunteers to artists and members of the public — in a
busy and supportive environment.

Equal opportunities

National Centre for Writing is committed to equality of opportunity.  We actively encourage people from a variety of
backgrounds with different experiences, skills, and stories to join us and influence and develop our working practice.

By taking positive action around diversity (as permitted in the Equality Act 2010) we aim to prioritise interviews for
eligible candidates who demonstratively meet all the essential criteria as outlined in the person specification who
identify as having one of the following protected characteristics:

•  Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse
•  Disabled and/or Neurodiverse
•  Candidates from diverse socio-economic backgrounds as defined by household main earner occupation aged 14

and secondary schooling aged 12-16

How to apply

To apply for the position of Communications & Marketing Assistant please fill out our application form and
equal opportunities monitoring form at nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/vacancies/ along with a Personal
Statement (maximum 1,500 words) and send to Amanda Salmon, Head of Operations & Commercial at amanda@
nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk, who can also provide this information in an alternative format eg. Microsoft Word.

Closing date for applications: 10am, Monday 8 December

Interviews: Tuesday 16 December

As this is an Assistant position, we are unable to offer informal conversations with potential candidates. Our most
recent Annual Review shows the diversity of our programme and projects, alongside our website containing further
information and resources, which you will find useful. If you have any technical questions about the application
process that isn’t addressed in this pack, please email us at info@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk.

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Terms & conditions

Position

Communications & Marketing Assistant

Accountable to

Senior Communications & Marketing Manager

Responsible for

No direct reports

Contract

Salary

Benefits include

Hours

Leave

Location

Part-time (15 hours per week), permanent post

£24,570 fte (£9,828 pro rata)

Contributory Pension Scheme (after successful completion of probationary
period), Cycle To Work Scheme, and Training and Development tailored to
your level of experience

15 hours per week to be worked between 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Working days are flexible and can be agreed on appointment. Some
evening and weekend working will be required to fulfil your role
successfully for which time off in lieu (TOIL) may be taken by agreement and
in accordance with the Staff Handbook

Paid annual leave of 25 days per annum plus 8 public holidays pro rata

NCW is located at Dragon Hall, 115-123 King St, Norwich, NR11QE. Travel
within the region may be required

Probation period

Three months

Notice period

One month

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Patrick Grant in conversation with Nina Nanner at the City of Literature strand of Norfolk & Norwich Festival (c) Luke Witcomb

Job description

Purpose of the role

The Communications & Marketing Assistant supports the Communications & Development Team in delivering
high-quality communications and marketing activity across the organisation. This includes creating a wide range of
written content for our digital platforms including researching features, articles and reading lists on The Writing Hub,
presenting commissioned resources available on our learning platform Teachable alongside content for our website
and social media channels.

Main responsibilities

Customer service and enquiries
•  Act as the first point of contact for external enquiries — by phone, email, in person, and at selected events.
•
Process ticket and merchandise sales (in person and by phone) using NCW’s box office system Spektrix.
•  Operate the NCW box office at our in-person events programme.
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Support the operation of NCW’s Writer’s Room by welcoming and briefing volunteers and preparing occupancy
registers.

Administration
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Provide proactive administrative support across a range of marketing and communications campaigns.
•  Maintain and update customer records, prepare customer lists and reports within NCW’s CRM and box office

systems.

•  Update and maintain the press coverage log.
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Prepare and distribute information such as invitations, correspondence and other marketing materials such as

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leaflets, posters and brochures.

•  Collect, collate and report on communications data, including analytics, event attendance and feedback.
•  Undertake general administrative tasks as required to support the Communications & Marketing Team, such as

booking travel, updating invitation lists and posting materials.

Events and meeting support
•  Attend and provide support at NCW events, which take place outside normal working hours and at various

venues (in line with the Time Off in Lieu policy).
Ensure Dragon Hall is well presented for all events and visitors, including room setup, box office operation, and
merchandise or marketing displays.
Provide support for meetings as required, including minute-taking.

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Website and digital
•  Create engaging, high-quality copy and content for NCW’s digital channels including articles for The Writing Hub,

e-newsletters, social media and other resources.
Support website management, including preparing content for the Writers Hub and updating website pages.

•
•  Capture in-house photography and other visual content for use across social media, reports and marketing

materials.

•  Assist in the creation and distribution of e-newsletters.

Design, print and asset distribution
•  Coordinate the distribution of NCW print materials, including brochures, flyers and posters, across Norwich and

the wider region.
Support in-house design activity using Canva, InDesign and Photoshop to edit images, brochures and posters.
Proofread digital and print materials to ensure accuracy and consistency.

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Team working
•  Work flexibly across Communications & Development Team functions.
•  Collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments to achieve organisational goals.
•  Build and maintain positive relationships with marketing peers in local and regional arts organisations.

Prepare papers and reports as required for the Senior Management Team, Board, funders and stakeholders.

Compliance
•
•  Carry out all duties in accordance with internal and statutory procedures.
•  Adhere to NCW policies and procedures at all times, particularly regarding Health & Safety, Safeguarding,

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Confidentiality.

General
•  Act as an advocate for NCW — its vision, activities and values — at relevant meetings and networks.
•  Undertake training and professional development as agreed to support the effective delivery of the role.
•

Perform any other reasonable duties assigned by the Senior Marketing & Communications Manager or Head of
Communications & Development in line with the scope of the role.

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Person specification

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Skills

Essential

Desirable

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•  Demonstrable relevant experience aligned with the job description,
gained in a creative, cultural, charitable or comparable work setting.
Experience in a customer-facing role, providing excellent service and
support.
Experience in copywriting and editing, producing engaging content
tailored to different audiences.
Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple
tasks and priorities to deadline.
Proficiency in using social media platforms (Instagram, Bluesky,
Facebook, LinkedIn).

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Experience using website content management systems (e.g.
WordPress).
Experience supporting the administration or delivery of events.

Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to
coordinate multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build positive
relationships with colleagues, audiences and stakeholders.

•  Clear, confident communication skills — both written and verbal — with

strong copywriting and proofreading ability.

•  Creative flair, with the ability to contribute ideas for campaigns, content

and wider communications activity.
Exceptional attention to detail.

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•  Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and resolve

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challenges effectively.
Strong IT literacy, including proficiency across Microsoft Office (Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the ability to learn new systems with
ease.

Interest in media, communications and the arts, with an awareness of
current media trends and the news cycle.

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City of Literature Publishing Fair at Dragon Hall (c) Luke Witcomb

National Centre for Writing is supported by: