Design & Marketing (Bi-Lingual: Arabic & English)

Company Description

[Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK and will be expected to evidence this at the interview stage]

About Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation

Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation was established initially with the aim to document and preserve the Islamic written heritage, principally through its work in surveying, imaging, cataloguing, editing, studying and publishing Islamic manuscripts. But, with time, its scope of activity has expanded, and it has become a Foundation, consisting of three centres under one umbrella: 1. The Centre for the Study of Islamic Manuscripts (Manuscript Centre), which deals with studying the Islamic written heritage. 2. The Centre for Compiling the Encyclopaedia of Makkah and Madinah (Makkah and Madinah Centre), which publishes the Encyclopaedia of the two holy cities (Makkah and Madinah), acknowledging their scientific and cultural role throughout history. 3. The Centre for the Study of the Philosophy of Islamic Law (Maqāṣid Centre), which focuses on the study of Māqaṣid (the philosophy of the Islamic law).

Job Description

Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation is seeking to appoint a full-time staff member in charge of / responsible for Design & Marketing, as follows:

Job Title / Position

Design & Marketing

Job Summary / Main Purpose of Job

The Design & Marketing role combines creative design with strategic digital marketing to build and promote the Foundation's digital presence. Ideal candidates will have a passion for both design and marketing, with the ability to manage multiple projects while driving the Foundation’s visibility, engagement, and growth.

Main Tasks / Primary Requirements and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Design:

• Visual Content Creation: Design engaging graphics for print and digital use (newsletters, brochures, posters, infographics, website elements, social media content, etc.).
• Brand Consistency: Ensure all materials align with the Foundation’s brand guidelines.
• UI/UX Design: Improve website and mobile app user interfaces for better user experience.

Marketing:                    

• Event Promotion: Promote and support events organized by the Foundation.

• Market Research & Analysis: Conduct research  on market trends, competition, and consumer preferences.
• Strategy Development & Execution: Plan and manage marketing campaigns across channels (website, social media, email).
• Content Marketing: Create content to engage users and followers, and promote our publications (print, e-books, audio books).
• Campaigns: Manage campaigns for events, product launches, book fairs, and promotional sales.

• Performance Tracking: Use tools like Google Analytics and social media insights to analyse and optimise campaign performance.

• Brand & Copyright Management: Oversee brand positioning, manage intellectual property rights, and monitor copyright issues.

Website Management:

• Website Collaboration: Work with the website development company to manage updates and troubleshooting.

• Product Handling: Add and manage products (events, publications, etc.), and sync metadata across platforms (Nielsen, Amazon, etc.)

• Content Optimization: Ensure the website’s content is user-friendly, optimized for SEO, and aligned with branding.
• SEO Optimization: Optimize keywords, metadata, and content to improve search rankings.
• AI Application: Explore AI tools to enhance website performance, user engagement, products, and processes.

Social Media Management

• Content Creation & Scheduling: Plan, create, and schedule posts across platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube).
• YouTube Optimisation: Focus on improving video titles, descriptions, and tags, and adding closed captions for SEO.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES    

• Pricing Strategy: Review and update pricing strategies for digital and print publications.
• Sales & Distribution Support: Follow up on sales and payments, assist with shipping in the absence of the sales team.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Good command of Arabic and English language

Graphic Design Skills

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Issuu, Canva).
• Strong portfolio showcasing design expertise in both print and digital formats.
• Experience with UI/UX design and web design principles.
• Knowledge of typography, colour theory, and layout design.

Digital Marketing Skills

• Experience with WordPress and SEO/SEM.
• Expertise in social media advertising, email marketing, and digital platforms (Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Mailchimp).
• Strong understanding of web analytics, performance metrics, and campaign optimization.

General Skills

• Creativity and innovation in design and marketing.
• Excellent project management and deadline management skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Fluent in both Arabic and English, with excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Skills

• Advanced Web Development: Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is a plus.
• Video Production: Experience with video editing and creating multimedia content (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro).
• AI & Automation: Familiarity with AI tools for content creation, marketing automation, or data analysis.
• E-commerce Experience: Understanding of e-commerce platforms and strategies for driving sales online.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading or mentoring a small team or managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, Marketing, Communication, Web Design, Media Arts, Business Administration (with a focus on Marketing), or a related field. Alternatively, equivalent work experience in a relevant field will be considered.
• Experience: minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in graphic design and digital marketing, with a proven track record of creating successful design campaigns and strategies. A strong portfolio showcasing both digital and print design work, as well as examples of executed digital marketing campaigns, is required.

Additional Information

Availability

The job involves a daily attendance and punctuality in the office 9 am - 5 pm.

[Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK and will be expected to evidence this at the interview stage]

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; a self-starter / initiative with creative flair; and, ability to work in an accurate and methodical fashion.
• Comfortable working with associates and partners through a face-to-face interaction;
• A welcoming and helpful approach when dealing with members in person, at events and over the telephone.
• Self-reliance, common sense, trust, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated communications and event management experience (tracking tasks, progress, budgets, timelines, etc.).
• Creative, strategic and analytical, with organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise and plan effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Effective problem solving, troubleshooting, planning and organising work, independently and collaboratively.
• Adapting to new processes, and learning new skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Working as part of a small team.

Communications and Working Relationships

1. Supervisor: The Managing Director (frequent contact to provide guidance, work instructions and approvals, as well as to discuss work progress updates, and to resolve any issues related to the role).
2. Liaison with:

• Within the Foundation, the position has primary working relations with the Managing Director and the staff members of the Foundation (frequent contact to coordinate and support activities for the achievement of the Foundation’s mission, goals and objectives);
• Outside the Foundation, the position coordinates primarily with the Foundation’s partners and associates (frequent contact to coordinate and support activities for the achievement of the Foundation’s mission, goals and objectives).

Operating Environment, Framework, and Boundaries

1. Work is performed in a standard office environment.
2. Some work outside of normal working hours may be required.
3. Must comply with the health, safety, and environmental policy of the Foundation, as well as legal regulations applicable to areas of responsibility.
4. A high degree of confidentiality is required.

Working Conditions

• 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday) excluding lunch breaks (1 hour)
• Annual leave: 22 working days plus bank holidays
• Salary: To be discussed (TBD)

How to Apply?

• The applicant should send a detailed CV and a Motivation Letter.
• The CV should provide a comprehensive profile of the applicant related to the role / position.
• The Motivation Letter should include a statement on the reasons for applying for this position, and the interests of the candidate on the activities of the Foundation.

Deadline for Applications

The application should be submitted latest by 28th February, 2025.

The Application Process, the Examination Components & the Selection Plan

The review of the application is expected to begin as soon as the deadline for the application is over .

The applicant will be informed - via email, with reasonable notice in advance - of any required tasks or presentation. 

If the above is successful, the candidate will be called - via email, with reasonable notice in advance - for an interview, which will require his / her attendance.

Appointment is subject to the receipt of satisfactory references.

Probationary period: six to twelve months.

With compliments,

Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation

London, 03.02.2025