Marketing & Communications Executive (6 month FTC)

About the role

We are looking for a creative, data-minded Marketing & Communications Executive to grow awareness, bookings and passenger numbers across well-loved regional brands. You will produce engaging social media content, run our email marketing programme, run paid campaigns on Meta and Google, use Google Analytics to understand what is working, and help deliver events that bring our brands to life in the community. This is a hands-on role with plenty of variety. One day you may be filming a coach holiday teaser for Simonds, the next you may be promoting a new Central Connect timetable or running a stand at a local event. Email is a core channel for this role: you will own the email programme for both brands, from strategy and audience building through to design, automation and reporting. The successful candidate will have a visible passion for the role, with an eye for detail and a real enthusiasm for promoting our brands.

What you'll do

• Plan, create and schedule engaging content for Central Connect and Simonds across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other relevant channels.
• Produce photo, video and short-form content, including reels, stories and behind-the-scenes material, in line with brand guidelines.
• Maintain content calendars that tie in with service changes, brochure launches, seasonal campaigns and events.
• Monitor and respond to comments and messages, and flag service issues or complaints to the relevant team.
• Track performance and use insights to improve reach, engagement and conversions.
• Plan and run a regular email calendar for Simonds and Central Connect, covering newsletters, brochure launches, seasonal offers, new tour and day trip announcements, last-minute availability, private hire promotions, event invitations and Central Connect service updates, timetable changes and ticket offers.
• Build, segment and maintain mailing lists by brand and interest, for example Coach Holidays, Day Trips, Private Hire, regular bus passengers and event attendees, plus past customers and enquirers, so every message is relevant to its audience.
• Design, build and test responsive HTML emails in the Mailchimp email platform, using templates that follow brand guidelines and render well across devices, with accessible design and clear calls to action.
• Set up and optimise automated journeys, such as welcome series, post-enquiry and abandoned-enquiry follow-ups, pre-departure information, post-trip feedback and review requests, rebooking prompts and win-back campaigns for lapsed customers.
• Run A/B tests on subject lines, content, send times and layouts, and apply what you learn to future sends.
• Grow our subscriber base ethically through website sign-ups, brochure requests, event lead capture, social media and in-vehicle or on-site promotion.
• Use UTM tracking and Google Analytics to measure email's contribution to website traffic, enquiries and bookings, and connect email data with CRM and booking data where possible.
• Report monthly on list growth, delivery, click-through rate, conversions, revenue or enquiries generated per campaign and unsubscribe rates.
• Set up, manage and optimise paid campaigns on Meta and Google Ads, including Search and Performance Max.
• Build and test audiences, ad creative, copy and landing pages to improve cost per lead and cost per booking.
• Manage campaign budgets and pacing, and report on spend against targets.
• Promote Simonds holidays, day trips and private hire, and support Central Connect with service awareness and recruitment campaigns where needed.
• Use Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager to track website performance, user journeys and campaign conversions.
• Produce clear monthly reports covering social, paid media and web performance, with practical recommendations.
• Work with the wider team to connect marketing activity to enquiries and sales, using CRM and booking data where available.
• Identify opportunities to improve website content, SEO and conversion rates.
• Support the planning and delivery of events such as brochure launches, showcase events, pop-ups, roadshows, exhibitions and community engagement days.
• Create promotional materials and run pre-event and live social coverage.
• Help with on-the-day set-up, customer conversations and lead capture, including occasional evenings or weekends.
• Review each event afterwards, measuring attendance, leads and bookings against objectives.
• Help produce website updates, print and door-drop materials, and brochure content.
• Support campaigns for the different Simonds product lines (Coach Holidays, Day Trips and Private Hire) with tailored messaging for each audience.
• Work closely with operations, sales and customer service colleagues to keep marketing accurate and timely.
• Keep to brand guidelines and ensure all content is accurate, accessible and compliant with advertising and data protection rules.

What we're looking for

• Proven experience in a marketing role, with a strong track record of managing social media channels and creating engaging content.
• Strong, proven experience in email marketing: planning and sending regular campaigns, building and segmenting lists, and creating and optimising automated journeys in a platform such as Mailchimp (or similar).
• A good working knowledge of UK GDPR and PECR as they apply to email, including consent, preferences and list hygiene.
• Confident writing and building responsive HTML emails, with a good eye for layout, copy and accessibility.
• Hands-on experience running and optimising paid campaigns on Meta Ads and Google Ads.
• Working knowledge of Google Analytics (GA4) and the ability to turn data into clear insights and actions.
• Experience supporting or delivering events, from planning and promotion through to on-the-day delivery.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel locally for events and photography.
• Experience in travel, tourism, transport or hospitality.
• Familiarity with Google Tag Manager, Looker Studio or similar reporting tools.
• Experience linking CRM or booking data to email segmentation and reporting.
• Photography and video skills, including filming and editing on a phone.
• A relevant marketing qualification.

What we offer

• A varied role with real ownership of your work.
• The chance to see your campaigns turn into bookings and passengers.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and progress within a growing group.