This key new role at CDR will lead on strategic communications and support the growth of CDR’s profile, audiences, and fundraising capacity. The Communications and Partnerships Manager will shape the way we tell our story, engage our community, and attract support — through content, campaigns, and partnerships.

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We’re looking for a creative, strategic manager  with a passion for music and culture, and the confidence to drive projects forward in a small, collaborative team.

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This is an exciting time to join CDR, after recently becoming an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation we are rapidly growing our projects around the country. Building on 20 years of heritage in the UK underground music scene, there is a significant opportunity to push on further and grow CDR’s profile to establish ourselves as a leading music and education organisation nationally. 

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Hours: Full-time, hybrid remote/office

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Pay: Up to 35,000 dependent on experience

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Start date: As soon as possible

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Probation: 3-6 months

Location: London

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Deadline: 10am Monday 9th June, interviews will conducted on a rolling basis so early applications are encouraged.

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Responsibilities include:

Communications Strategy & Brand Development

• Develop and lead a communications strategy aligned with CDR’s mission, seasonal programme, and growth ambitions.
• Manage and grow CDR’s content output across web, email, social media, and press, ensuring content is aligned with the seasonal industry calendar. 
• Instigate strategic collaborations and partnerships with CDR’s community and network to increase the visibility of CDR through content.
• Ensure clarity and consistency across all public-facing platforms and materials.
• Manage and mentor the Social Media Manager and freelance contributors (e.g. designers, editors, videographers).

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Content Creation & Campaigns

• Produce compelling content (written, visual, video)  that demonstrates CDR’s value and impact, for example  sharing stories from our events, artists, and community.
• Oversee event promotion from briefing designers to drafting event descriptions and publishing across channels. Monitor promotion of all CDR projects to ensure effectiveness at driving up attendance, participation and long-term engagement.
• Thought leadership: Help communicate CDR’s thinking as a brand through editorial and data-generated reports, with close attention to the seasonal calendar.
• Ensure high-quality, timely publishing of media content, especially video interviews and session recordings.
• Support the development of new channels such as YouTube and radio/podcast formats.

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Partnerships & Fundraising Support

• Collaborate with CDR’s fundraising lead to develop campaigns that drive individual giving and donor engagement.
• Create impactful brand storytelling and content for fundraising appeals, newsletters, donor reports, and impact materials.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for strategic partnerships and sponsorships — particularly with aligned brands, funders, and cultural institutions.
• Support applications and relationship management for sponsors, trusts, and foundations where appropriate.

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Digital Platforms & Performance

• Manage website content and oversee updates to ensure functionality, clarity, and strong UX.
• Create and send regular email newsletters and supporter updates.
• Track key analytics across platforms (e.g. email CTR, SEO, video engagement, website engagement, social growth) and use insights to inform strategy and develop targeted marketing campaigns
• Maintain CDR’s content archive and internal asset management systems.

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Person Specification

‍Essential

• At least 5 years of experience delivering communications strategies, ideally in music, creative or charitable sectors.
• Strong copywriting and storytelling skills with proven experience creating engaging content across formats and channels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a content calendar and lead on campaign planning and delivery.
• Experience supporting or delivering fundraising communications or partnership development.
• Self-starter with initiative, confidence and flexibility — able to manage a varied workload in a small, dynamic team.
• Knowledge of the UK’s electronic music landscape, with an understanding of its cultural and community contexts.
• Familiarity with digital and analytical tools and platforms including CMS (e.g. Webflow or Wordpress), Google Analytics, SEO, email marketing tools, and social media management.
• Ability to work with designers and editors, and to produce or edit visual content using tools like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Final Cut Pro and CapCut.

Desirable

• Experience growing a YouTube or multimedia platform.
• Strong understanding of analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics, YouTube Studio, SEO tracking).
• Experience working with sponsors or developing brand partnerships.
• Knowledge of UX/UI best practice and design platforms (e.g. Figma).
• Experience with CRM or supporter engagement platforms (e.g. Mailchimp, Patreon, Enthuse, etc).

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How To Apply

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Please send the following to sophie@createdefinerelease.com with the subject line:

‘CDR Communications and Partnerships Manager – [Your Name]’

• Your CV (no more than 2 pages)
• A short cover letter (max 1 page) explaining:
  
  • Why you’re interested in the role
  • How your experience matches the person specification
  • One or two examples of communications or fundraising campaigns you’ve led or contributed to

Deadline: Monday 9th June, 10am

Interviews: Expected from w/c 16th June

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About Create Define Release (CDR):

CDR is a black-led music and talent development organisation with a deep heritage in the UK's grassroots electronic  music scene.

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We are a community made up of generations of music producers, practitioners and fans. 

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Our purpose is to nurture independent music makers and progress black electronic music across many genres: from Hip-hop to Brokenbeat, Techno to Jazz, Garage to Grime and the many fusions in between.

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We work with children and young people in schools and youth centres, as well as the older heads in clubs and venues. London-based with an increasing national & international footprint, we're operating in towns and cities around the country and the world, from Bristol to Nairobi.

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CDR is led by Tony Nwachukwu, a renowned artist and educator known to many as the producer of Attica Blues.  We are driven by a small team in London and sustained by a community of contributors and volunteers around the country and beyond, all people passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect and develop through music.

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Website: https://www.createdefinerelease.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createdefinerelease

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