Strategic Marketing and Communications
The British Library is a global brand that is recognised as a world leader. To ensure that our brand continues to strengthen and grow, we offer a variety of stimulating and rewarding career opportunities.
We lead the way in setting new standards for the information and heritage industries. Revolutionary exhibitions such as Sacred and Taking Liberties attract thousands of visitors every year. And award-winning initiatives such as our Business & IP Centre, our online Annual Report, and our interactive exhibition system Turning the Pages™ are recognised for their innovative approach.
We are continually building on this success. Each year, the British Library online catalogue generates 25 million searches. As we digitise more items, that number will continue to grow. And by commissioning groundbreaking research, we're leading the debate on many aspects of the Web 2.0 era.
What the British Library does - collecting, preserving and sharing knowledge from around the world - inspires people to make scientific discoveries, launch amazing inventions or create stunning artworks. In this department you'll ensure that our vast knowledge and expertise and our unrivalled collections continue to inspire even more people.
What kind of roles are in Strategic Marketing and Communications?
Press Office Assistant
Role: Press Office Assistant
Team: Press and Public Affairs
Our Press Office Assistants aim to raise the profile of the British Library's services and activities proactively and imaginatively, mainly through the media. From distributing summaries of our press coverage, to managing the flow of information to what's on guides like Time Out and organising publicity for our fund-raising scheme Adopt a Book, it's a varied role.
This role is heavily involved with major exhibition openings, as well as promoting our vast collections, our publications, and different areas such as the Business & IP Centre and the Centre for Conservation. As such it provides a great opportunity for someone looking to break into press and public relations in a high-profile organisation.
Trust Fundraising Manager
Role: Trust Fundraising Manager
Team: Development Office
This role involves raising money from charitable trusts and statutory sources, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund for specific projects. This can include anything from developing and maintaining the collections to enhancing access and developing facilities. It covers the whole cycle of trust fundraising, from identifying prospects for each project, to writing applications, reporting on progress, and maintaining long-term relationships with donors.
So, this role can involve raising funds to save a national treasure or to build extra storage capacity for the Library. Some of the projects even have an international dimension, meaning bigger budgets and consequently, larger targets.
Web Editor
Role: Web Editor
Team: Web Services Delivery Unit
As we continue to expand our digital communications, the Web Editor plays a vital role, ensuring that the Library communicates effectively online. Naturally, this involves writing and editing text, as well as advising colleagues on writing web pages and blogs. So, the role involves understanding the work of staff in all areas of the Library, from expert curators to marketing specialists, and press and public relations. At the same time, it also means keeping up to speed with the whole range of social media such as Flickr, Facebook and Twitter.
Of course, if what we write doesn't work for web users, it's no good, no matter who wrote it. So, most importantly, the Web Editor also maintains and develops key messages and values across the site and then ensures they're working through user testing.
