Job title: Communications and Events Manager (Leeds Markets)

Salary: PO1 £38,220 - £40,777

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Office based, Monday to Friday with occasional Saturday working. Leeds Market Office 37-42 New York Street, Leeds, LS2 7DT. Hybrid working is available to work from home one day per week.

As a Communications and Events Manager at Leeds Market, you’ll thrive on creating promotional campaigns across multiple social media channels to raise the market profile locally, nationally and internationally. Organising events working with local operators, community groups and a wide variety of partners to ensure the market is a destination for people visiting the city whilst generating income and footfall.

We want someone who is self-motivated and passionate about ensuring the long-term success of Leeds Market and is looking to make a difference to local businesses and the community.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Communications and Events Manager (Leeds Markets), you will bring to the role:

To manage and monitor the work of the Senior Events Officer and two Customer service assistants employed within the Markets Library and Information Community Hub ensuring a professional standard is met and excellent customer service provided.
Responsible for managing the markets social media platforms including planning and developing effective and engaging content tailored to a range of different audiences.
Lead on aspects of database marketing including establishing e-communication systems and producing/monitoring regular targeted communications.
Responsible for the delivery of digital communications activity including managing the content on the markets website.
To maintain and ensure the application of financial accounting and budgeting systems in relation to income generation activity; to raise and progress orders in line with the Council’s Procurement Rules and to monitor day to day expenditure against budget allocations, producing regular reports to the Head of Markets.

About the role

This is an exciting time to be joining the team here at Leeds Markets as we have a great opportunity for you to become our new Communications and Events Manager.

The market service has just set out its new five-year strategy with a strong focus on events and promotion that this role will lead on. The market is evolving with some significant developments taking place. The completion of an £11M refurbishment of the historic block shops is due to complete by the end of 2026. Planning permission is in place for a Hotel and gym on the George Street side of the market and in March 2026 a planning application was submitted for a food and beverage container village by STACK on part of the outdoor market.

Leeds Market is one of the most historic and iconic retail destinations within the city, supporting over 200 independent businesses and we are looking for someone to help us look at new and exciting ways to promote the market to ensure it continues to be a destination for shoppers and independent businesses to trade from.

So, are you the person we are looking for?

The role is integral to the markets team as we are responsible for the upkeep of this grade 1 listed building. Ensuring it allows local independent businesses to thrive and is a welcome and safe space for the community it serves. The market service oversees both the indoor and outdoor market here in Leeds, plus street trading within the city centre, district markets in Otley and Pudsey as well as licencing private markets and car boots.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Steven Mason Head of Markets. Call 0113 3789071 or email steven.mason@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To raise the profile of Kirkgate Market within the district of Leeds and further afield, through the use of internal and external communications to a range of stakeholders. Leading on the development of a diverse range of events and activities to help attract existing and new audiences to visit the market.

To promote and build an annual events programme generating an income of c£150K per annum. Work closely with our partners in LCC and help to showcase the market as the centre for independent business in Leeds and as a tourist destination.

Responsible for ensuring the market strategy and vision are communicated effectively and supports The Leeds Ambitions.

Responsibilities

Responsible for managing the markets social media platforms including planning and developing effective and engaging content tailored to a range of different audiences
Lead on aspects of database marketing including establishing e-communication systems and producing/monitoring regular targeted communications
Responsible for the delivery of digital communications activity including managing the content on the markets website
To work with the markets team to identify, develop, deliver and evaluate a range of initiatives, events, promotions and retail-based activity at Kirkgate Market.
To ensure that the flexible trading spaces and events area meet the Council’s objectives and deliver an income target of £150K per annum.
To work closely with existing and potential market traders, elected members, Council officers and external organisations including the private sector, in a confidential, professional and sensitive manner in line with the Council’s values and vision.
To supervise and monitor the work of the Senior Project Officer and admin staff employed in the Markets Information Centre ensuring a professional standard is met and excellent customer service provided.
To be proficient in and utilise a wide range of computer software packages in the compilation of high-quality presentations, marketing materials, spreadsheets, reports, correspondence and other publications for, or on behalf of, the Markets Service.
To maintain and ensure the application of financial accounting and budgeting systems in relation to income generation activity; to raise and progress orders in line with the Council’s Procurement Rules and to monitor day to day expenditure against budget allocations, producing regular reports to the Head of Markets.
To establish, develop, maintain, monitor and review personal filing, record keeping and administration systems whether manual, or computerised and to ensure that correspondence, papers and other items are current, accessible and secure having regard to the requirements of GDPR.
The post holder must be able to plan and progress their own work without supervision and to required standards and timescales they must demonstrate a proactive attitude and approach and use judgement and insight to reach decisions.
To undertake work outside normal office hours (for which enhanced rates, overtime or flexi time will be due) to meet the variable nature of the role which may, for instance, include overseeing events at weekends or in the evenings.
To contribute to the smooth running of the Markets Service e.g. by assisting, working in close co-operation with or providing cover for other staff including cover for the Information Centre if required.
Effectively prioritise the team’s workload, ensuring efficient use of resources and appropriate levels of support for market priorities.
Support the smooth running of a professional communications and events team by embedding and updating consistent ways of working across the team.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers that help the markets team meet priorities while spending money wisely.
Represent the market at internal and external meetings and events.
To monitor and maintain elements of health and safety within the post holder’s own work area during the delivery of events and activities, and to comply with Leeds City Council and Departmental policies and procedures under Health and Safety.
To work within all relevant policies, procedures and systems established corporately by the Council or locally by Executive Support and to support and work in a way that reinforces the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

Qualifications

English Language and Mathematics equivalent to GCSE grade C or above.

Essential requirements

Ability to plan, implement and monitor marketing, PR or communications campaigns.
Ability to write and/or understand creative briefs for marketing, communications or PR work; and to be able to explain those briefs to others
Ability to produce marketing, PR or communication strategies and plans, reports, articles and news/press releases which are clear and articulate.
Ability to lead and develop a team.
Ability to demonstrate the necessary confidence to represent the service at a senior level to internal and external partners/businesses to contribute to income generation for market events.
Ability to manage and maximise the use of budgets
Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to engage, influence and negotiate and to form positive relationships at all levels.
Evidence of strong brand awareness and the understanding of the implications for customer experience and reputation management.
Computer literate with ability to use relevant software packages including Microsoft.
Demonstrable experience of using market research, customer insight and intelligence to inform marketing, PR and communications activity and strategies.
Able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of the media to be able to support the Councils press team with enquiries.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

Desirable requirements

A minimum of 3 years of experience gained working in a marketing, PR, communications, events environment.
Experience of developing, leading and motivating a team.
Experience of delivering multiple projects to tight deadlines.
Experience of working in a team environment but with the ability to work individually without supervision.
Experience of using social media promotional campaigns
Experience of organising events
Experience of, and ability to, manage budgets.
Experience of developing marketing, PR or communications strategies which demonstrate clear, actionable and measurable outcomes.
Experience of using information and research to support and develop marketing campaigns.