MARKETING AND ENGAGEMENT OFFICER BELFAST CITY CENTRE ASAP START.

We are currently recruiting a Marketing and Engagement Officer for our client based in Belfast City Centre. The successful candidates will be required to start once the vetting paperwork and ANI completed.

Start date: ASAP

Rate of pay: £19.59ph

Duration: 3/25/2026 with possible extension                 

Hours of work: 37

Key Responsibilities:

Working within Apprenticeships Policy & Strategic Engagement(APSE) branch the post holder will provide an overall strategic approach to help increase the reach and impact of NI’s vocational education programmes (ApprenticeshipsNI, Higher Level Apprenticeships, NI Traineeship, Skills for Life and Work and the Advanced Technical Award) and the wider work of ACVED. Increasing visibility through the delivery of high value and influential marketing, communications and PR, thereby significantly contributing to the development of new programme partnerships and opportunities.

To increase awareness of apprenticeship programmes by building upon DfE’s existing advertising campaigns via a mix of media channels; and, contribute to the preparation, promotion and delivery of the annual NI Apprenticeship Week and Awards 2026.

To achieve this the post holder will work with colleagues in the Department for the Economy, and key stakeholders including the six FE colleges in NI, Private Training Organisations and universities.

There will be collaboration with colleagues in Government Advertising Unit, developing and implementing a marketing and communication strategy across a range of strategically planned campaigns.  There will also be work with the Press and Private Office.

Specific duties

Marketing and Communications Strategy

Feed into the wider advertising campaigns, utilising digital channels and sourcing opportunities to strengthen the NI Apprenticeship brand and engagement with external stakeholders.

The marketing strategy should be reflective of the external environment and key target audiences:

o            Potential Apprentices and Trainees

o            School leavers

o            Parents/Carers/Guardians

o            Employers

o            Careers Advisers and Teachers

o            Media

o            Opinion Formers

In addition:

• Help develop case studies to support the Department’s work to widen participation and increase diversity across the various vocational education programmes.
• Working with the Department’s Marketing Team, have overall oversight of departments’ programmes and how the team can harness all channels and communication to maximise impact and reach.
• Determine return on marketing investment and evaluate its overall effectiveness with CEMB and GAU.

Stakeholder Engagement

The post holder will be involved with Stakeholder Engagement that promotes the Department’s Apprenticeship programmes and will be asked to attend events which include information on Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes.

This will include but is not limited to:

• Further developing materials explaining the benefits of the Apprenticeships and HLAs to employers.
• Attending any prebooked and new promotional events.
• Developing part input to briefings and if appropriate delivering presentations to employers, parents/carers, opinion formers, media.

Resource Management and Financial Responsibility

The post holder will contribute to the management of an associated Marketing and Communications Budget.

Contribute to the branch financial tracking and operate in line with departmental fiscal policies.

• Assist with the management of the various Advertising Contract budgets including:

O           effective budget monitoring and reporting;

O           ensuring contract adherence and compliance; and value for money assessments following evaluation process

Marketing Communications

The post holder will input to decision making and consultation to inform the future direction of promotion and advertising requirements as well as the smooth implementation of any required changes.

The post holder will be responsible for the evaluation of the effectiveness and value for money of all associated communication and promotional activity.

NI Apprenticeship Week and Awards 2026

Working with the team in APSE Branch, the post holder will be expected to:

• Collaborate with existing regional groups comprising of key apprenticeship stakeholders (councils; private training providers; Further Education colleges; employers, LMPs and careers professionals);
• Aid/advise stakeholders in delivering their virtual events throughout NIAW2026
• Manage and evaluate key departmental virtual activities during NIAW26;
• Contribute to the organisation of, and associated Departmental briefings and speaking notes for, NIAW and NIAA;
• Gather relevant data to determine the effects of the associated media campaign; and,
• Incorporate / evaluate feedback from virtual events for post project evaluation.

In-House Promotion and Communications Network

The post holder will be the main point of contact and manage the in-house departmental promotion requirements to ensure effective advertising and promotion of ACVED programmes. This includes:

• Building strong relationships with relevant colleagues across the Division and Department so as to fully understand, advise and deliver communication needs.
• Identification and the building of beneficial relationships with key promoters and promotion opportunities.
• Working closely with DfE Communications Branch and Further Education Colleges to produce and update information (hard copy and online) and assess social media coverage as required.
• Maintaining a presence/ presenting at key promotional opportunities e.g. Schools, Job Fairs, Employer Events, Skills events etc.
• Development, implementation and input to Departmental and non-Departmental events e.g. NI Apprentice of the Year Awards.
• Contribute the creation of internal infographics promotional material for the Division as and when required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including copywriting;
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple tasks and to meet deadlines;
• Good attention to detail and accuracy;
• Good creative skills
• Strong IT skills;
• Self-motivation.

This post will include some travel to meetings and events across Northern Ireland and therefore access to a form of transport will be required to carry out the duties of this post.

Essential Criteria applicants must have:

• Degree in Marketing or Communication or similar subject which included modules on advertising, marketing, public relations or media.  (Proof of certs required)

• OR BTEC Level 4 or equivalent in Marketing or Business Studies with Marketing Unit and at least one years’ experience within the last two years responsible for Marketing, Events, Market Research and Communications.
• OR BTEC Level 3 or equivalent in Marketing or Business Studies with Marketing Unit and at least two years’ experience within the last two years responsible for Marketing, Events, Market Research and Communications.
• This post will include some travel to meetings and events across Northern Ireland and therefore access to a form of transport will be required to carry out the duties of this post.

Desired Experience and Qualifications.

The post holder will be required to demonstrate a wide range of skills including:

• Excellent technical marketing skills across both online and offline platforms;
• Demonstrable experience of developing, implementing and evaluating significant marketing strategies (both business to consumer and business to business);
• Demonstrable experience of brand development and brand management including development of brand guidelines
• Strong audience and product awareness;
• Identifying PR opportunities to create awareness
• Good project management skills ensuring delivery of agreed plans within timescales and budget;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including copywriting;
• Ability to work under pressure on multiple tasks and to meet deadlines;
• Good attention to detail and accuracy;
• Good creative skills
• Strong IT skills;
• Self-motivation.

Please send your CV via the link or email megan.mcbride@therecruitmentco.uk