Publications Manager

Job Introduction

In a world that’s increasingly digital, we’re looking for someone who loves print! This person will be passionate about paper. They’ll fuss about fonts. They’ll shout about show-through. In essence they’ll want to put their arms around our portfolio of health information booklets, leaflets and subscription magazines and bring them to life, as part of an engaging brand experience, for our supporters and everyone with diabetes. An expert word-smith and editor, they’ll also be excited by the chance to work closely with our web team to ensure that Diabetes UK is developing content journeys that move seamlessly and intuitively between our offline and online channels.

If this paragraph above perfectly describes you, you’ll also be an innovative, strategic and collaborative manager with hands-on publishing experience who is as at home working with designers, printers and supply chain as you are commissioning writers, editors and ad sales people. You will be confident in meeting tight deadlines, managing large projects and budgets effectively and being part of a busy team. Ideally you’ll have a strong editorial background with a deep understanding of audiences, content strategy and knowledge of the latest creative, digital and print trends.

Role Responsibility

Content

• Project managing the delivery and production of all our core printed materials, working alongside the Publications Officer and freelancer writers and editors.
• Commissioning and producing engaging content, devising schedules, and managing working practices to ensure all products are delivered on time and on budget.
• Evolving and managing a database of copywriters, designers, photographers and printers ensuring suppliers have gone through relevant checks and agreed contractual obligations.
• Managing the rolling 12-month printed content plan, and feeding into the overarching content calendar, working closely with the Content Manager ensuring content is re-purposed across channels and aligned digitally, where appropriate.
• Managing print schedules, stock levels and reprints, working closely with the printers and warehouse.
• Ensuring high standards across our offline content, including, but not limited to: print and digital magazines, information products, and marketing materials.
• Helping to develop and deliver the implementation of the Content Strategy, within the multi-channel content team.
• Supporting in the management of the editorial output of the organisation, ensuring high standards and working collaboratively with teams across the organisation to ensure content reflects charity’s organisational objectives
• Providing professional expertise and guidance across the organisation and raising the skillset and experience of colleagues across organisation in understanding best practice editorial output.
• Driving innovation and insight work on all our printed materials, supporting individual editors and working with external suppliers where appropriate, to deliver fresh, brand focused publications.
• Overseeing and providing governance for an ad hoc bulk ordering process, working closely with key stakeholders across the organisation and colleagues in regional offices.
• Supporting the Head of Content & News - and Senior Content Manager - to devise a new advertising strategy, working closely with the Media Sales Manager.

Management

• Line managing a small team of in-house staff and freelance multi-channel editors, producers and freelancers, cultivating development and training to further skill sets and raise their profile.
• Providing strong support to the Senior Content Manager, and contributing to the strategic development of the team’s work.
• Overseeing and managing the budgets for each printed publication
• Contributing to the strategic content vision and ensuring it is effectively implemented.
• Building and maintaining excellent internal relationships with colleagues and teams across the charity to achieve outputs in line with our strategic goals.
• Managing relationships with suppliers to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to a consistently high standard.
• Being proactive in working with the Senior Content Manager to identify opportunities for multi-channel and platform publishing.
• Keeping up-to-date on the latest content and publishing developments and software updates.
• Sitting in for and supporting the Senior Content Manager when required.

The Ideal Candidate

The best person for this job will have experience in:

• Substantial editorial managerial and leadership experience within a publishing environment, ideally in the health/charity sector
• Proven experience of managing editorial plans and schedules
• A strong understanding of patient information and accessibility best practice
• Proven experience working with multiple stakeholders on complex projects
• Proven experience of managing a range of projects at any one time, ensuring they are delivered on-time, on-budget and to agreed standards
• Experience overseeing budgets and an understanding of advertising standards.
• Proven experience of managing external suppliers
• Proven experience of effectively managing and developing staff
• Experience of charity creative services or marketing
• A sound knowledge of digital publishing and how to make use of digital platforms

The best person for this job will be:

• A highly effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• A strong project manager, with skills including time planning, time management, budget setting, implementation and monitoring.
• Have a good understanding of requirements relating to multi-channel publishing.
• Able to work under pressure, to meet deadlines and work as part of a team.
• Organised, creative and confident, valuing research and paying close attention to accuracy.
• Have experience of working on digital content, with a strong understanding of digital publishing and best practice.
• Committed to producing quality work with an eye for detail.
• Have strong applications skills including good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, with ability to edit on screen. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Able to inspire and influence individuals and teams at all levels of the charity
• An innovative thinker, looking to push boundaries and explore new ways of creative communications through new platforms and emerging technologies  
• Knowledgeable of diabetes and other health issues.

Package Description

What we can offer you: 

• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days plus bank holidays 
• A Cash Healthcare Plan (giving you up to £1,600 towards a range of out of pocket health expenses like new glasses, dentist, chiropractor or osteopath appointments) 
• Early finish Friday and flexible working 
• Discounts on gym membership and days out 
• Employee assistance programme to give you support on any issues that come up in life  
• Annual Season ticket loan 
• Very active social scene including sport teams, gardening and other activities 
• Generous pension provision, life assurance and permanent health insurance 

About the Company

Diabetes is the most potentially devastating – and fastest growing – health crisis of our time, requiring ongoing high-quality care and support. There are currently 4.5 million people in the UK living with diabetes, and 11.9 million more at increased risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Those diagnosed face the risk of life-changing, and life-limiting, complications, unless they are given the very best care and the support they need to manage their condition well. As a society we need to work together now – and take action now – to fund critical research, improve healthcare and treatment, and prevent yet more people developing this potentially life-threatening condition. 

Diabetes UK is a forward thinking and commercially focused organisation, and is the leading charity for the 4.5 million people with the condition in the UK.

As we continue to improve our processes, through continual development and change, this is an exciting time to join us. With established funding streams and following on from the success of our previous five-year plan, we are in a strong position to continue developing and responding to changing environments.

We rely heavily upon the expertise and motivation of our staff in order to work towards our many aims and meet objectives. We aim to be an equal opportunity employer; the organisation recognises and respects the value and diversity of all. We gladly make the adjustments required for people with disabilities to join us. Our diverse functions mean that we can offer you a wide range of rewarding career opportunities.

Diabetes UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable and expects all staff and volunteers to actively support this commitment. 

Diabetes UK recognises and respects the value and diversity of all. 

We have a vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm – if you’d like to be part of that, why not join us? 

To Learn more about the work we do - Click here

Diabetes UK