Content Project Manager

About the roleAre you an experienced web (native & app) content manager? Do you enjoy managing and optimising web content to achieve business objectives and user needs?

At Waitrose we are seeking a brilliant owned content marketing specialist to oversee the end to end project management and production of our omnichannel content formats specifically online, native & app and digitally-led formats. This role is part of our specialist content programme team, who ensures content connects with our customers, reinforcing Waitrose brand values, contributes to sales and generates media income.

In close collaboration with our specialist agency, this position manages the planning, production, distribution and delivery to the relevant customer touchpoint, ensuring the content experience is compliant, relevant and effective, delivering a positive return on investment.

We are looking for an enthusiastic self-starter to identify and project manage bespoke initiatives to maximise growth - you will have strong commercial acumen, positive stakeholder management and high influencing skills to deliver high-quality content, applying robust measurement and cost control. Excellent knowledge of content management platforms and understanding of product development process (agile methodology), web functionality and continuous improvement methodologies would be an asset in this role.

At a glance:

• Salary: Salary up to £60,000 per annum depending on experience

• Contract type: This is a permanent opportunity 

• Hours and location of the role:

  • 35 hours per week

  • Your home location will be our Bracknell Head Office

  • The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team attend the office 1 - 2 days a week in Bracknell and 1 - 2 days a week in London plus any key meetings on an ad-hoc basis

Key responsibilities:

• Planning and delivery of the content plan for waitrose.com (native and app) and other owned digital formats

• Project manage the end to end journey of the content process ensuring positive engagement with key stakeholders across the business

• Commission appropriate work with agencies and ensuring the relevant contracts, agreements and budgets are in place.  Ensure delivery of quality content, on time, within budget and to brief, through robust measurement and cost control

• Develop content plans, create scopes of work and manage critical paths.  Oversee the production of omnichannel content aligned to the content strategy, customer plan and business objectives

• Manage all aspects of delivery and display of content. Liaise with procurement and finance to manage cost, optimise spend and drive efficiencies.  Anticipate and resolve production issues at pace

• Maximise the use of content across other channels, identifying opportunities to increase content reach appropriately to the target audience, in the right place, right time 

• Develop and refine effective, efficient and cost-effective work flows and  processes for content production. Identify and deliver continuous improvement through measurement and performance

• Financial management of owned content budgets and P&L including planning, forecasting, purchase order management and accurate financial reporting

• Ideate and collaborate with Commercial web and media sales teams to generate and grow media income

• Maintain awareness of competitor activity and market trends. Innovate and explore new opportunities and make recommendations for implementation

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

• Project Management: Project management, planning and workflow: proficient in setting up models and ways of working to effectively manage projects and stakeholders to deliver on time, to budget and brief

• Print and Digital Content: Content marketing subject matter expert: deep understanding, knowledge and experience of content management including end to end production and process management both on and offline

• Editorial: Excellent, briefing, commissioning, proofreading and editing skills. Written, audio & visual. Attention to detail and restless in delivering high levels of accuracy, consistency, legal and safety compliance and house style

• Stakeholder Management: Stakeholder management: experience in internal and external stakeholders management including the briefing and commissioning of agencies

• Influencing & Negotiating: Works collaboratively to achieve the optimum and mutual agreement for a way forward for all parties. Resolves professional differences along the way through active listening and appropriate assertive communication to reach win-win outcome. Is prepared to adapt communication style to each situation and has the best interest of the Partnership at the forefront of all interactions

Essential skills and/or experience you’ll need: 

• 3-5 years experience in a similar role

• Excellent understanding of content foundations for digital application - specifically content management systems and online (native & app) capabilities

• Experienced project or programme management skills and coordinating programmes of work with third party agency model

• Demonstrable skills in creating content frameworks and delivering work to a high standard

• Strong experience of managing budgets, controlling costs and ensuring high ROI

• Experience of working with online product development teams to continuously improve customer content experience

Desirable skills and/or experience you may have: 

• Identifying and delivering media sales opportunities through content initiatives

• Previous experience in print, web or social content

• We are Passionate Food Lovers - so an interest in food and drink would be an advantage!

About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.