Description
Are you a talented, creative communications manager who wants to spend their lives making a difference through music? Then we’ve got the perfect job for you! Created in 1945 with the mission to enable youth and children to develop through music across all boundaries; JM International (JMI) is today the world's largest youth-music nonprofit with 71+ members in 61 countries carrying out 45,000+ annual musical activities that outreach 7 million young people. JMI is in search of a new Communications Manager who can stand firmly behind our mission, lending their unique strengths and abilities to build on 75 years of empowering and connecting young people and children through music. We’re looking for a passionate, driven individual who is able to work together with the JMI head office team to amplify our impact in the world. JMI offers a dynamic, creative and inclusive work environment where professionals are able to engage themselves fully in meaningful work, together with passionate colleagues and a vibrant international network of driven music institutions. The Position The JMI Communications Manager acts as a central hub for the organisation’s various communications efforts; managing the creation and deployment of engaging, artistic and impactful content across JMI’s websites, social media, newsletters, events and campaigns. Strong project management skills and attention to detail are required in order to coordinate a large network of freelancers (designers, developers, video makers, etc), as well as coordinating interns, whilst liaising with JMI programs staff. We’re looking for an experienced generalist with a high sense of artistic quality and a track record to back it up. The Communications Manager should have excellent interpersonal skills and is expected to translate JMI’s strategy into action, delivering results that meet top international standards. JMI offers a fast paced, dynamic and fun work environment, where you will have the chance to work with a team Applicants should have a background in music or the music/creative industries, as you will be required to authentically connect with JMI’s audiences and potentially represent the organisation abroad. The Communications Manager works directly under the Programs and Marketing Director and is supervised by JMI’s Executive Director. The Communications Manager is responsible for Communications Assistants and Interns as well as managing freelancers and agencies. Responsibilities Overview Marketing: The Communications Manager should have a proven track record in marketing / brand management and be able to showcase a portfolio of projects that they have been responsible for. Creative out-the-box thinking and within a global context are needed in order to develop and further JMI’s strategic goals, crafting campaigns that fuse music and social good. Management: Strong organizational skills and an attention to detail are a must. Candidates must display the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and handle well under pressure. The candidate must have an understanding of how the various aspects of nonprofit communications work and be able to bring together communications teams that ensure the success of JMI’s programs, campaigns and activities. Whether handling web developers or designers, agencies or individuals, it is essential to have systems in place to deliver great work that meets deadlines. The candidate will need to be able to manage budgets as well as ensure all parties are Design: Although the bulk of JMI’s design work is outsourced, the Communications Manager must have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite (Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and online template tools such as Canva in order to support and create content when needed. The most important design skill required, is to be able to clearly communicate with and manage freelancers and agencies in order to produce communications outputs that meet top international standards. Content Development: As Communications Manager you are in charge of creating beautiful, engaging and impactful content to be shared across JMI’s various communication channels, both online (text, image and video) and in print (brochureware, poster, merchandising etc.). Thus experience in the managing the creative and production process across both is necessary. Hands-on creative writing and graphic design (intermediate to advanced) skills are needed as well as the ability to supervise and edit the work of others to bring them inline with JMI standards and branding. Web: JMI manages several websites that would fall under the responsibility of the Communications Manager. The candidate must be familiar with content management systems such as Wordpress and Wix. Most importantly you must be able to coordinate web developers and designers to complete related projects. No coding experience is required but candidates must have experience in coordinating the development of a website. Email Marketing: A large portion of communications are conducted via email campaign and thus a good working knowledge of Mailchimp and email campaign strategy is important. Social: We are looking for a digital native with an intrinsic understanding of social media and community management. The Communications Manager is responsible for developing and advancing JMI’s social media strategy, working with the team to create and share relevant content across JMI’s socials, building a global musical community and ensuring visibility for the organisation’s members, programs and activities. Events: A large part of the communications work is based around music events both physical and virtual. Taking the communications lead on these events means ensuring that coms run smoothly from stage visuals and production planning to promo, media and livestreaming. REQUIRED ASSETS 5+ Years work experience relevant to the position. Relevant Tertiary Education: Marketing, management, design, media, etc... Excellent English (Written and spoken) Advanced Creative Writing Skills Intermediate-Advanced Graphic Design Skills (Adobe Creative Suite). Basic-Intermediate Video Editing Skills. Social Media Management & Marketing Skills. ADDITIONAL ASSETS (NOT REQUIRED) French / Spanish Knowledge of Web Development INFO The position is full-time (Monday - Friday) based at the JMI Head Office in Brussels, Belgium (Square Eugene Plasky 92-94). However, due to the ongoing pandemic, all work is currently conducted remotely and thus there is flexibility as to where the candidate works from in the short term. Candidates from abroad are welcome to apply and will be expected to relocate to Belgium within 1 year. (Relocation costs and costs of separate life are not covered by the employer.) The selected candidate’s salary will be based on level of experience, employment status and personal situation under Belgian law, but the average salary after taxes for a Communications Manager will be between 2000€ - 2500€ / month. (Beligian employment tax being 45-50% of BRUT income). Additional benefits include hospitalisation insurance, mobile phone expenses, meal vouchers (€8 per working day) and work related transport costs within Brussels. Candidates must be ready to commence work by Sep 1, 2021. An initial time-based contact of 6 months will be given to the selected candidate after which the employee will be evaluated and a permanent contract issued, should the employer be satisfied with the work results. The candidate must be willing and able to travel abroad at least 2-3 times per year. APPLICATION PROCESS - Apply via this online form - Applications are open until 8 Aug 2021. - Interviews will be held between the 15th & 25th August. - The selected candidate must be available to start immediately (Sep, 2021). - If you do not receive news of your selection by the 15th of August, please assume that you have not been selected. Please note that JMI does not provide feedback to candidates at any stage of the selection process.
