MARKETING MANAGER
32,000 per year (pro rata)
Watford
Full-time
30th April 2026
Listed today
RECRUITMENT PACK MARKETING MANAGER MARKETING MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION Thank you for your interest in becoming a part of the brilliant team at Watford Palace Theatre. In this pack you will find background information on Watford Palace Theatre, the job description and personal specification. Below is the information on the recruitment process and what you need to do to apply. HOW TO APPLY: Send an up to date CV and covering letter via email to samantha@watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk with the subject line MARKETING MANAGER. If you have any questions, please email Samantha Ford with your contact number and a convenient time to call. CLOSING DATE: 12pm Thursday, 30th April 2026 FIRST INTERVIEWS: Friday 8th May 2026 th SECOND INTERVIEWS: Wednesday 13 May 2026 Jack and the Beanstalk, 2025 ABOUT WATFORD PALACE THEATRE Watford Palace Theatre (WPT) is Watford’s ‘Palace of Entertainment’ – providing a great night out, the best shows and something for everyone. is a successful, inclusive, and WPT ambitious award- winning professional theatre and local charity. The organisation receives core funding from Arts Council England as one of their key National Portfolio Organisations within the ‘Three Counties’ region of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and strong has and Bedfordshire, support with Watford partnership for Borough Council. Our ambition excellence is supported by our skilled and respected Technical Production department, housed within our beautiful heritage Edwardian 600- seat auditorium and well- resourced technical facilities. ABOUT WATFORD PALACE THEATRE ENTERTAINING, INSPIRING & REPRESENTING representative of Watford Palace Theatre is a vibrant, inclusive and ambitious producing theatre with a proud history of making high-quality work that is entertaining, the diverse inspiring and communities we serve. From award-winning productions on our 600-seat Edwardian stage, to festivals, national touring and innovative youth arts programmes, we are proud to be known as the region's 'Palace of Entertainment'. Our Mission Entertaining: A great night out, The best shows. Something for everyone. Inspiring: We bring the world to Watford with theatre, comedy, cabaret, drag, dance, stand-up, film, musical, panto, bands, cafe, bar, groups, masterclasses, popcorn and loads more. Representing: We take Watford to the world through careers in the arts, skills, training, West- End transfers, and touring as a local launch pad with a national profile. MARKETING MANAGER Reporting to: Head of Marketing & Communications Working closely with Colleagues within the marketing team and across the organisation. Salary: £32,000 - £35,000 per annum (depending on experience), and 3% pension contribution. Period of contract: This is a permanent contract after passing the three month probationary period. During the probation period the notice period required by either party is two weeks. Subsequent to satisfactory review and passing probation, the notice period is increased to three months. Hours: 40 hours per week. Office hours are 1000 - 1800 Monday to Friday. The post holder will be required to work some evenings and weekends (WFH one day per week but taken flexibly (e.g. one full day/two half days); (an informal TOIL system operates). Holiday: 21 days per annum plus bank holidays (increasing to 25 days pro rata after 5 years of continuous service). Notice period: Three months following a probationary period of 3 months Benefits: • Free tickets to shows in Watford and at venues elsewhere • discounts on cafe/bars • flexible working opportunities • investment in your training and CPD career development • an enriching environment of supportive and social team initiatives • discounts on local carparking The Mesmerist, 2026 ABOUT THE ROLE The Marketing Manager will work closely with the Head of Marketing & Communications in delivering the theatre's marketing, communications and audience development strategies to achieve ambitious growth in both audiences and ticket sales. A marketer that thrives in creativity and innovation in successful marketing with commercially minded revenue generation through box office sales and growing yield as a primary driver - focussing on Price, 'Product' (consumer and business), Place and Promotion at the forefront of their responsibilities. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to help shape the marketing for Watford Palace Theatre, across the full marketing spectrum - traditional and digital, to consumer and to business. Raising reach, awareness, engagement, conversion and loyalty. Whilst championing entertainment, inspiration, representation, innovation, relevance and community connection. This role supports growing priority audiences, developing brand profile/reach, and the Palace distinctiveness and consistency across all campaigns and activity, across all platforms and channels. This post is designed for a 'doer' - a team player who gets involved. Someone who is hands on with a practical and positive attitude and is able equally to plan and project manage to deadline. The Merchant of Venice 1936, 2023 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Plan and implement effective insight and data-driven marketing campaigns for shows, events, projects and fundraising activities. Deliver success through efficient planning, creating content, and tracking/evaluating campaign performance. Support brand and audience development, brand visibility and income generation. CRM, grow audiences, increase engagement and loyalty – including with the newly formed Membership schemes - and increase revenue (sales and yield) with the Head of Marketing & Communications. Support the implementation of the wider cross platform Digital Marketing Strategy, including socials/digital/live compelling content creation in line with the latest and most effective digital trends to deepen engagement and drive reach. Working closely with partners and agencies where appropriate. Promote an awareness of the need for representation and inclusion across all areas of our work. Innovate and explore experimentation in our marketing output with entrepreneurial spirit to try and test new approaches. Support the Head of Marketing & Communications with digital growth through dynamic social media activity and engaging content creation. This includes growing digital engagement with audiences (bigger reach and support), driving more sales through all digital platforms, including in theatre, and developing our brand storytelling through innovative content creation. Contribute to SEO, paid social, website and optimisation, CRM and digital analytics to ensure a strong online presence and effective conversion. Innovate new digital storytelling formats and campaigns that reflect the theatre's diverse output and audiences. Navigate the exciting intersections between digital and live with Marketing. Exploring the cohesion between the digital sphere and a live 'real world' interaction -experiential marketing through 'happenings', immersive events and world building to aid audience and sales growth. Champion with the Head of Marketing & Communications the consistent and bold brand identity, tone of voice and visual style across all platforms. Develop creative marketing campaigns and materials, embracing working with Al (for image/campaign creation), and automation (for processes and systems) as well as with appointed designers and consultants. Support media relationships and PR campaigns with the Head of Marketing & Communications and with the Theatre's PR consultant partners. Develop with the Head of Marketing & Communications the understanding of, and growing audiences, using tools like Spektrix, regional demographics data, Audience Finder, Illuminate, Google Analytics and other tools to inform audience development and engagement. Contribute to the segmentation, CRM and targeted campaigns to ensure effective engagement with both current and prospect audiences. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Continued Track and report on KPIs including campaign effectiveness, engagement metrics, ticket sales, ticket yield and brand reach. Work closely with the WPT Marketing Team, agencies and consultants, with Producing & Programming, Fundraising, Youth and Business & Community Engagement teams, to deliver marketing activity. Work with marketing and promotion peers at visiting companies, promoters and partner venues/co-productions from a marketing and audience perspective. Work with marketing and promotion peers for our touring shows and promoters and partner venues/co-productions from a marketing and audience perspective. Support with the recruitment of and day to day management of apprentices. To keep abreast of industry best practice, and marketing innovation. Ensure GDPR compliancy in all marketing activity. Support in financial processes and adhering to marketing budgets. Any other role or responsibility, in line with your skills and experience, as required and discussed and agreed with your line manager. This job description responsibilities are subject to review. Two of Us 2024, Bugsy Malone 2025, The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition 2024 PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Skills and Experience: • Relevant and strong experience in a marketing role. • Demonstrable evidence of driving sales and growing audiences. • Evidence of shaping marketing activity based on insights and data. • Proven track record of managing successful digital and traditional marketing campaigns. • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. • Excellent creative (digital) content creation skills. • Expertise in digital marketing tools and analytics platforms e.g. Meta Ads Manager, Google Analytics, Spektrix. • Creative flair, analytical mindset and audience focussed approach. Desirable Skills and Experience: • Experience working in the arts or cultural sector. • Experience in brand development. • Recognisable Marketing Qualification (CIM Membership/HE Course/AMA Courses) • Knowledge of the Entertainment sector (Theatre/Film/TV/Gaming) and understanding of its audience • Design skills and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite/Canva/wider Digital and video editing tools. Bitch Boxer, 2025 www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk