Interested in getting involved?
We advertise our current job vacancies here.
In addition, every year we have a number of open call opportunities including our Print Festival (March), Ones to Watch, our annual exhibition for emerging artists and makers, Threads textile Festival (May) and the Christmas Market (November). These will be listed on CuratorSpace.
Communications & Marketing Director - May 2026
This is a unique opportunity to shape the story of Sunny Bank Mills as we look to grow our reputation in the local, regional and national arenas.
Our current Communications Director is retiring from the organisation in September 2026.
As Communications & Marketing Director, you will provide strategic leadership for communications, marketing and audience development at Sunny Bank Mills, a leading cultural hub that is deeply embedded in its local community. We are an exciting, growing organisation, open to new ideas and opportunities. You would be working with a small passionate team where your leadership would have an immediate impact.
DOWNLOAD THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION AS A WORD DOC ON THIS LINK.
DOWNLOAD THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION AS A PDF DOC ON THIS LINK.
Please also fill in and submit the EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM on this link.
ROLE OVERVIEW
To provide strategic leadership for communications, marketing and audience development at Sunny Bank Mills. Ensuring that insight drawn from audiences, makers, programmes, partners and data is actively interpreted and translated into clear narrative, confident positioning and effective engagement.
Responsible to: John Gaunt – Joint Managing Director
Terms: Part time, permanent
Salary: £30k – £40k pro rata (salary level set depending on skills and experience)
Office Base: Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ, mainly office based with occasional remote working
Hours of Work: Part time, 22 ½ hours (3 days) per week, permanent – working pattern to be agreed
Holidays: 22 days a year plus bank holidays, pro-rata according to working pattern
Pension: Auto enrolment pension with NEST
Probationary Period: Six months with a three month review.
Additional Benefits:
• Mobile phone
• Laptop
• Car parking space
• Mill Workers’ discount card, valid across participating businesses at Sunny Bank Mills
• Additional staff shopping discount in the Gallery shop
• Free attendance at internal creative workshops, space permitting
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To drive and co-ordinate the communications and marketing strategy at Sunny Bank Mills, working closely with the Senior Management Team.
| KEY OBJECTIVES |
| · Strengthen Sunny Bank Mills’ brand, voice and public presence, ensuring that all activity is aligned with organisational equality, diversity and inclusion commitments.
· Lead integrated communications, marketing and audience strategies. · Ensure that insights from across the organisation inform strategic decisions. · Strengthen advocacy and support sustainable income growth across fundraising, partnerships and trading activity. · Ensure insight from audiences, members and partners is collected and then informs organisational thinking. |
| KEY TASKS |
| Strategy and planning
· Lead the development and implementation of the marketing and communications strategies in line with our mission and key strategic priorities. · Work as a member of the Senior Management Team to develop and implement arts, culture and business strategies across the organisation. · Oversee the communications and development of our audiences, which includes commercial tenants, artists & makers, visitors, partners and the local community. · Oversee the analysis of social media, marketing and audience data. · Oversee website development. Communications & Marketing · Oversee the team’s implementation of effective communications and marketing activity across digital, press, social media, print, website and other media. · Create a strategy and manage the implementation of the creation of digital content for the website, social media channels and media partners. · Manage the regular schedule of communications with the Mills’ audiences, the media, commercial tenants, and other stakeholders. · Set the visual and brand identity, tone of voice and messaging across the organisation’s communications. · Enhance the profile of the organisation through the development and implementation of an effective press and PR strategy. General · Manage communications and marketing budgets. · Ensure the commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is reflected in all communications. · Maintain a commitment to training and professional development. · Act as an effective representative of the organisation at in-house events and external professional events; and advocate for it. · Commitment to environmental sustainability and taking positive action through this role. · Other duties as may be required. |
| RESPONSIBLE FOR |
| · Managing the Social Media and Mills’ Community Manager. To be recruited late 2026/ early 2027.
· Sunny Bank Mills’ Communications, Marketing and Audience Development Strategy. |
PERSON SPECIFICATION.
Could this be you?
• Dynamic
• Accessible
• Commercial
• Imaginative
• Inspirational
• Flexible
• Responsible
Essential
- Wide experience of communications across all channels and strategic thinking
- Experience of working as part of a Senior Management Team, shaping decision making and supporting the implementation of the mission, vision and values
- A good grasp of marketing and promoting a diverse organisation, with relevant experience in a similar industry
- Experience of understanding and growing audiences, with relevant experience
- Education: Degree level in a relevant field or equivalent experience
- Creative thinker
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to promote and influence a wide range of audience
- Attention to detail
- A working knowledge of the local region
- Experience of managing staff and work well in collaboration with freelancers and associates
- Experience in creating and managing budgets
- Ability to manage multiple projects with different team members and to prioritise team workload in order to meet deadlines
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- The ability to undertake some weekend and evening working e.g. attending previews and events both at Sunny Bank Mills and elsewhere, with prior notice
Desirable
- Experience in writing and managing press releases
- Working knowledge of equal opportunities within the arts
- Active network of contacts and associates within the area and industry
- Knowledge of print management
- Experience of working with graphic designers
- DBS certificate
- Driving Licence
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your application to our external HR support email address [email protected] with accompanying statement (max 300 words) telling us why you want to be our Communications & Marketing Director and what your vision is for Sunny Bank Mills in this role.
Your statement can be written or an audio file.
Send your application documentation as separate Word or PDF files in this format:
FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_CV.DOC or .PDF
FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_STATEMENT.DOC or .PDF
Please also fill in and submit the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form on this link.
We want our staff to be representative of all sections of society and actively welcome applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in the cultural industries generally, and leadership positions in particular.
Access statement for application
If you would like to apply for this role but need this information in a different format, please get in touch with us by calling 0113 256 3239 or emailing [email protected] .
TIMETABLE
- Applications open 5th May
- Applications close midnight 31st May
- 1st interviews in person week commencing 22nd June
- 2nd interviews in person week commencing 7th July
- Appointing by 30th July
- Start date mid-September
An offer of employment is subject to receipt of two satisfactory references. We regret we can only offer feedback to interviewed candidates. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications for this role which require us to obtain a certificate of sponsorship or permit to work in the UK. We will require proof of your qualifications and your eligibility to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with visa applications.
