We’re Recruiting: Social Media and PR Executive

Social Media and PR Executive – POSITION FILLED

Muddy Matches (www.muddymatches.co.uk) is a countryside online dating site operating from the rural village of Farndish on the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire border.

Launched in 2007, the company has gone from strength to strength and a fantastic opportunity has now arisen for a bright, enthusiastic and self-driven Social Media and PR Executive to join our small but expanding team.

About the role

Working closely alongside the existing team, you will be assisting with the planning, development and implementation of Social Media and PR strategies for 2012 and beyond.  A proactive self-starter, you will be responsible for implementing day-to-day social media activity, for creating engaging and inspiring content and for maximising opportunities in print and digital media coverage, with the aim of positively communicating about the company, building traffic and increasing sales.

Your main duties will include:

– Writing daily keyword-rich posts in the company’s news and dating blogs
– Writing and proof-reading copy for the website, ensuring all current content is up-to-date and developing new SEO-focused content such as keyword-specific landing pages
– Assisting with the creation of newsletters and targeted customer emails
– Identifying opportunities for content that will generate interest, links and press or word-of-mouth coverage for the company
– Putting together new videos and podcasts and uploading them onto the company website and external websites such as YouTube
– Coordinating with the rest of the team to ensure that the online tone of voice is consistent
– Managing the company’s current social media accounts (including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+) and taking steps to increase fans/followers, visibility and engagement levels on all social platforms
– Dealing with or forwarding online customer service enquiries and responding to all online comments in a positive and timely manner
– Researching and developing future ideas for social media campaigns and initiatives across various platforms
– Exploring the benefits of other channels and establishing new pages/channels
– Identifying useful people to connect with on social media, such as key bloggers and website owners
– Establishing contact and building relationships with journalists, editors, researchers and programme makers
– Updating and maintaining our press and media contact database
– Proactively researching and implementing interesting story and PR ideas, including surveys, case studies, competitions, giveaways, promotions and events
– Writing regular press releases and distributing them to the media and online
– Collating and analysing all media coverage and updating the website press page and the company press portfolio
– Monitoring online conversations around our brand, our competitors, our industry and current trends through the use of a social media monitoring tools
– Working to agreed KPIs for driving traffic to the site and increasing conversions and sales
– Reporting back to directors in monthly meetings on all of the above and giving your recommendations for changes or improvements

Whilst the above list gives an idea of the kinds of tasks for which you will be responsible, it is by no means exhaustive and the right candidate will add to their job description when they introduce their own ideas for growing the business.  As a small company, it will also be important that you ‘muck in’ with things that are not necessarily part of your job description as and when it is required of you.

Job type:  Permanent, full-time
Location:  Office-based (Farndish, Northamptonshire)
Salary:  £16,000 – £19,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

About you

This position would suit a graduate who is looking for a challenging role where they are able to grow and develop within an expanding company.  To be suitable, you will need to come from a Social Media/Marketing/PR/Journalism background and be a competent Web user with a good knowledge of online and offline media and social media/networking trends.  You will be a strong team player with excellent written and spoken English and the motivation to write passionately, considering the company’s messages and ethos in all creativity.  A highly organised, motivated and driven self-starter, you will comfortable managing numerous projects at the same time and will not be afraid of getting your hands dirty with some administrative tasks.  The ideal candidate will be personable and trustworthy with a positive, can-do attitude, who is happy working closely with people and good at building long-term relationships, both online and offline.  Quick to pick up and apply knowledge, you must also demonstrate a thorough understanding of the countryside and the countryside community, regardless of whether or not that is your background.

Essential:

–    Bachelors degree in PR, Marketing, Journalism, English or similar, or a minimum of 3 years in the work place in PR, Social Media, Marketing, Journalism or similar
–    Excellent written and spoken English
–    A self-motivated and proactive attitude – someone who is happy working on their own
–    An active user of social media across many different platforms with a solid understanding of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+

Desirable:

–    A knowledge of social media in business (beyond a personal profile) and an understanding of how brands engage consumers online
–    Experience of copywriting, particularly keyword-optimised copy for websites
–    Blogging experience, particularly with WordPress
–    Experience making videos and podcasts
–    And understanding of SEO and the different techniques used
–    Experience using social media monitoring tools, Web analytics and performance reporting tools
–    Experience of industry and technology research and tracking, including competition analysis

How to apply

To help us ensure we select the right candidates for interview please send us:

– your CV
– a covering letter including details of how ‘muddy’ you are and why you are the right person for the job
– a document naming three companies whose social media or PR strategy you admire, giving reasons why
– a document in which you choose a topic for an entry on the new Muddy Matches Dating Advice blog and write 400-500 words on this subject

Applications should be sent by email to Lucy Reeves at jobs@muddymatches.co.uk.  You will need to have sent all four of the requested items to be considered for this role.

You will receive an automated response to confirm receipt of your email and we will be contacting applicants at the beginning of April regarding interviews.

Application deadline: Friday 30th March 2012 – POSITION FILLED