About this job
Our websites and emails are vital to the current and future strength of the union, as two of the most important channels we have to communicate with our millions of members, activists, potential members and supporters. The Digital Engagement Officer – Websites and Email is an essential role in the growing digital team, overseeing, influencing and improving the emails and websites being produced by dozens of authors across UNISON’s national teams, regions and branches every month, ensuring they meet the highest standards for timeliness, relevance, quality and impact.
To do this they will set policies and standards for the two channels and assure these are adhered to; they will review and hone the design and user experience for our audiences, particularly complicated given the size and breadth of our audience and platforms; they will develop a comprehensive training programme for staff and branches to encourage best practice; and they will ensure the successful rollout our website platform (Wordpress) and our email marketing platform (MessageFocus) to authors across the organisation.
You will combine an eye for detail with a strong understanding of content structure and design. This allows you to assess and identify how to bring together different content formats – be it text, photos, infographics or videos – to make the content on a particular web page or email look its very best for users. But it also means you know how broader changes to design, information architecture or other structural content can help a whole network of websites and emails to reach, engage and support millions of members and other key audiences as effectively as possible.
You will understand the technical considerations in making digital content work. You will have an understanding of HTML and CCS, know how to achieve great search engine optimisation of content and be comfortable working with developers and technical staff to assess and resolve any technical challenges in displaying content.
You will have experience of supporting a number of authors to guide and inspire them in delivering high-quality content, choosing what stories to highlight to engage members and support the key priorities of UNISON. Given the number of interactions with colleagues across the organisation, excellent personal communications skills and the ability to adopt different management styles are essential to succeed in this role.
You are always ready to roll up your sleeves and pitch in wherever you might be needed, a key trait for a team that has a busy few years ahead of it.
Read on the UNISON digital blog: 6 amazing reasons you should apply to join the UNISON digital team
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity, please download and complete the General application form (under “Resources”).
See job description and person specification (under “Documents”).
Please note that ONLY the General application form will be accepted.
Please email your application form to j.whelan@unison.co.uk, quoting ref: CCP/58. Or alternatively post three hard copies to Jo Whelan, Communications Unit, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY.
Completed application forms must be received by no later than 5pm on Monday 28 November 2016.
Interviews will take place on Monday 12 December 2016.
About UNISON
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.
