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Senior Digital Marketing Manager – 9 Month MAT Cover | Wessex Internet

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About Wessex Internet

We are a fast-growing, innovative Internet provider, delivering full-fibre broadband across rural areas in the Southwest, including Dorset, Somerset, New Forest, and now expanding our network into Wiltshire. Dedicated to delivering lightning-fast broadband to thousands of countryside homes and businesses, we are different to most Alt Nets in that we design, build, and operate our own network to ensure every connection meets our high standards.   Late last year, we celebrated an exciting milestone in connecting our 10,000th customer to our full-fibre service. This achievement highlights our commitment to exceptional customer service and is reflected in our customer reviews and trust pilot scores.   We’re a growing business built on teamwork, where each contribution is valued and has a part to play in our successes. With a focus on personal and professional growth, we offer endless opportunities to make an impact. As we continue to grow, we are seeking passionate individuals to join our team.


The Role
Wessex Internet have a new & exciting opportunity to join us as a Senior Digital Marketing Manager. You will report into our Head of Marketing. You will lead the development and execution of comprehensive digital marketing strategies that drive lead generation, increase sales, and enhance brand visibility. This role involves managing and optimising a range of digital channels, including SEO, PPC, and social media across Google, Meta, and Bing. The ideal candidate will collate the data to continuously refine marketing tactics for improved ROI and performance. You will also need to have a good analytic background in paid media. 

Responsibilities include overseeing content planning and execution, managing relationships with digital marketing and web development agencies, and implementing A/B testing to improve lead generation and conversion rate optimisation (CRO).

You will also be responsible for the day-to-day management of the CMS, it’s integration with Salesforce deploying updates and SEO best practices.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Develop and execute comprehensive digital marketing plans that drive leads, sales and enhance brand awareness
  • Manage and optimise digital marketing channels, including SEO, PPC, organic and social media across Google, Meta and Bing
  • Continuously optimise strategies and make data-driven adjustments to improve outcomes and ROI
  • Ability to create a digital marketing content plan across channels and execute this using a test and learn approach
  • Work closely with our digital marketing agencies optimise PPC, display, and paid social campaigns
  • Ensure best practices for online creative, implementing A/B testing to optimise ad performance
  • Oversee the day-to-day management of the company website, ensuring content updates and optimisations using Umbraco CMS
  • Collaborate with our web development agency and Salesforce developer to deliver website change projects, bug fixes, and enhancements that cannot be completed within the CMS
  • Increase organic traffic by ensuring the website adheres to SEO best practices and conduct regular keyword research and optimise website content for search engine visibility
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the Digital Marketing team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment

Requirements:

  • 3+ years experience in digital marketing with hands-on experience of managing search, display and paid social campaigns
  • Strong knowledge of analytics including knowledge of Google Ads (Search and Display), Facebook Ads, Microsoft Ads and Google Analytics
  • Strong Excel skills and ability to create and update reports, drawing out useful insights
  • Experience in conversion rate optimisation and using data to improve website performance
  • Commercial/analytical mindset
  • Experience of using website content management systems
  • Previous knowledge/experience using Salesforce or other CRM system would be advantageous
  • Previous experience of managing agencies desirable
  • Good understanding of Search Engine Optimisation and previous experience using SEO tools
  • Proactive and enthusiastic – keen to take ownership of projects

Benefits

  • A starting salary between £40,000 – £45,000, dependent on experience
  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days.
  • Daily free breakfast.
  • Private medical, life assurance, income protection
  • Cycle & Tech Schemes
  • Enhanced family leave
  • High street discounts on over 100 big name brands.
  • Career progression in a growing company.
  • Christmas and Summer social events
  • 75% staff discount on our broadband

Find out what it’s really like to work at Wessex Internet from some of our team by visiting https://www.wessexinternet.com/careers/ and watch our short video https://youtu.be/5U1j7GzB3Cc

Salary: £40,000 to £45,000 per annum, depending on experience
Role Type: Full Time/ Permanent Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Office based Nr Blandford Forum, Dorset 8am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday. Hybrid work, minimum 3+ days in the office per week.
Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays

click here to apply

Digital Marketing Executive- 12 Month MAT Cover | Wessex Internet

By
Editorial team
-
0

About Wessex Internet
We are a fast-growing, innovative Internet provider, delivering full-fibre broadband across rural areas in the Southwest, including Dorset, Somerset, New Forest, and now expanding our network into Wiltshire. Dedicated to delivering lightning-fast broadband to thousands of countryside homes and businesses, we are different to most Alt Nets in that we design, build, and operate our own network to ensure every connection meets our high standards.

Late last year, we celebrated an exciting milestone in connecting our 10,000th customer to our full-fibre service. This achievement highlights our commitment to exceptional customer service and is reflected in our customer reviews and trust pilot scores.

We’re a growing business built on teamwork, where each contribution is valued and has a part to play in our successes. With a focus on personal and professional growth, we offer endless opportunities to make an impact. As we continue to grow, we are seeking passionate individuals to join our team.



The Role
Wessex Internet have an exciting opportunity as we are seeking a Digital Marketing Executive to join us on a 12 month MAT cover. You will support the digital side of the marketing team across multiple channels. 

You will be responsible for managing and updating website content, ensuring it’s accurate, SEO-friendly, and aligned with our brand. You’ll assist in delivering digital campaigns, creating landing pages, and optimising lead generation efforts—particularly through Meta lead forms and paid search activity on Google and Bing.

Additionally you’ll help identify performance improvement opportunities, analyse keyword data, and track key campaign metrics. You’ll also stay on top of the latest digital trends, bringing innovative ideas to enhance our online presence. Additionally, you’ll support digital build projects, including QGIS area mapping and launching targeted posts across social media platforms.

The position is to cover a Maternity cover which should last around 9-12 months. There maybe future positions available within the marketing team at a later date.

Responsibilities:

  • Website content: manage day-to-day content updates across the website, creating landing pages, ensuring content is accurate, on-brand and SEO-friendly
  • Campaign support: assist with the delivery of campaigns across our ads and website
  • Lead gen: own the meta lead gen form and optimise (test & learn) and support the DMM on identifying opportunities for improvements across our search and paid google [& bing] search engines through updating metadata and analysing keyword performance 
  • Analytics: help monitor and report on the performance of digital activities
  • Trend awareness: keep up to date with digital trends and bring fresh ideas to enhance our digital presence
  • Build projects: be responsible for supporting build projects through QGIS area mapping, implementation of new search areas in to google, bing and meta and putting posts live across social platforms

Requirements:

  • 1-2 years experience in digital marketing with hands-on experience of supporting search, display and paid social campaigns
  • Working knowledge of Google Ads (Search and Display), Facebook Ads, Microsoft Ads and Google Analytics
  • Strong Excel skills and ability to create and update reports, drawing out useful insights
  • Understanding of using website content management systems (umbraco would be advantageous)
  • Previous knowledge/experience using Salesforce or other CRM system would be advantageous
  • Previous experience of managing agencies desirable
  • Understanding of Search Engine Optimisation and previous experience using SEO tools
  • Proactive and enthusiastic – keen to learn and take ownership
  • Full UK driving licence- Due to the rural nature of this role, the person will need a full UK licence and their own car to commute into the office.

Benefits

  • A starting salary between £25,500 – £28,000, dependent on experience
  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days.
  • Daily free breakfast.
  • Private medical, life assurance, income protection
  • Cycle & Tech Schemes
  • Enhanced family leave
  • High street discounts on over 100 big name brands.
  • Career progression in a growing company.
  • Christmas and Summer social events
  • 75% staff discount on our broadband

Find out what it’s really like to work at Wessex Internet from some of our team by visiting https://www.wessexinternet.com/careers/ and watch our short video https://youtu.be/5U1j7GzB3Cc

Salary: £25,500 to £28,000 per annum, depending on experience
Role Type: Full Time/ Temporary.
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Office based Nr Blandford Forum, Dorset 8am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday. The candidate must live within the area & happy to commute to the office. We are unable to accept candidates who are out of area.
Working Type: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days in the office per week. A driving licence & car us required.
Visa: The company are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Click here to Apply Now

Weymouth: DORSET POSTCARDS FROM THE BARRY CUFF COLLECTION

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Editorial team
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Postcard sent to Herne Bay in Kent, on 17th June 1973 – I’m fascinated by the chap in the foreground looking VERY hot and bothered in his shirt and trousers, socks and shoes among all the sunbathers!

Weymouth – Monday. Dear Mum & Dad, Although we’re coming home on Wednesday, we’re still enjoying ourselves in the tent life. We’re both looking well – Sue’s got a red nose & I had to buy a hat to protect my scalp. Haven’t shaved yet – getting quite bristly. Sun has been very warm & we’ve been on the beach most days. Sea is still a bit cold but we’ve been in most days – only for a paddle sometimes though!! We’ve done all the local high spots like playing golf – Sue beat me yesterday – & the amusements. Going Go Karting today. See you later in the week. Love Sue & Rex xxx

Postcard sent to Fernhill Heath, in Worcester, on 23rd June 1970 (lovely to see that Maud, in 1970, is thrilled with a coloured television at the hotel!). The card shows the SS Caesarea, which was a British Rail cross-channel ferry that operated the Weymouth to Channel Islands route, including Jersey. Built in 1960, the ship was one of the last traditional passenger steamers constructed for the Channel Islands. The coming of the car ferry to the islands in 1973 sounded the end of the classic service: Caesarea made her final scheduled sailing to the islands in October 1975.

23/6/70 Fairhaven Hotel, Esplanade, Weymouth.
Dear Edie & Bill, Having a nice time, weather warm and dry, but rain Monday. Hotel excellent, nice bedroom with Radio, Lounge, Coloured telly, and Lounge Bar separate. Hope you are both feeling better. Lovely this morning. Love from Maud

Summer in Stur: festivals, fairs and flourishing shops

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Editorial team
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There’s never a dull moment in Sturminster Newton – and this August proves it. Whether you’re into vintage vehicles, live music, artisan markets or just a decent cup of tea, there’s something happening for everyone!
The month kicks off on Saturday 2nd August, when the Recreation Ground plays host once again to the ever-popular Car and Bike Enthusiasts’ morning from 9am to midday. With over 300 vehicles expected, it’s a great opportunity to admire classic motors and chat with their passionate owners.

Inside 1855


Also on the 2nd and 3rd, it’s time to spice things up – the Stock Gaylard Chilli Festival returns, complete with a mouth-cooling assist from Shroton Gin and Dorset Ginger.
Throughout the summer holidays, the Vale Family Hub at Butts Pond is open to all ages. Alongside excellent coffee, tea and light meals, visitors can enjoy craft sessions, children’s activities and good company – check their website valefamilyhub.co.uk or their Facebook page for up-to-date listings.
Mid-month brings a moment of reflection as Sturminster Newton marks VJ Day on 15th August. Formal commemorations begin with the Proclamation and flag raising at 10am in the Railway Gardens, followed by a Civic Service at 7pm, and the Lighting of the Beacon at 8.30pm. Free afternoon tea will be served at Community Connections in the Stour Connect Café.

The official opening of Forgotten Frowns by Pauline Batstone, Sturminster Newton myor


The following day (16th August), the Riverside Family Festival returns for its third year. This friendly, low-cost day of entertainment is organised by a local family and their friends – and always draws a good crowd.
Later in the month, on 23rd and 24th August, The Oak Fair returns to the Stock Gaylard Estate for its 18th year. What began as a small woodcraft fair has grown into a major countryside celebration, featuring crafts, countryside skills and live demonstrations, with a strong environmental and family focus.
Meanwhile, the town centre remains vibrant. SturAction continues to thrive with its five pre-loved shops, selling everything from clothes and books to furniture and collectables – plus a free uniform exchange. The 1855 Artisan Market hosts more than 100 local makers, offering everything from cheese and gin to ironware, art and handmade cards. Two traders have even used their space at 1855 to grow their businesses into their own shops, and another is expanding into a dedicated workshop – exactly the kind of success SturAction was set up to support.

The Green Lake Studio is a new crochet and craft space in Station Road


There’s also a warm welcome to Irina at The Green Lake Studio, who has opened a new crochet and craft space in Station Road, repurposing a tiny unit that had long been vacant. And congratulations to Forgotten Frowns Aesthetics and Beauty, the latest addition to Market Cross.
Sturminster Newton is buzzing this summer. Come and see what’s going on – you might just find yourself staying longer than you planned …

Summer strain and shared stories

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Editorial team
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So the madness of summer is upon us: the long working hours and the constant checking of the weather forecast.
After endless months of winter rain, we now find ourselves seriously short of water. The livestock sector is struggling with limited feed stock, and any passing shower or thunderstorm is heartily welcomed.
Harvest is well under way, with many having cut a good area before the end of July – unusually early. Yields are varied, depending on soil type and how much rain fell in May and June.
All of this puts added pressure on farmers and their teams. Remember: we at the Farming Community Network are always here if needed.

Getting together
In June and early July, we hosted two farm walks, welcoming around 100 people over the two evenings. The first was held at my own farm in Winterborne Kingston, where Bournemouth University is conducting an archaeological dig exploring Roman and Iron Age rural life.
As well as viewing the dig, we discussed current farming practices – balancing environmental schemes with the need to maximise production.
Two weeks later, we had a fascinating visit to Hemsworth Farm, enjoying a guided tour of their organic dairy and regenerative farming system.
Alongside these, our Walk & Talk evenings have continued around the county – visiting the Piddle Valley, the Fleet area, Sherborne, Winyard’s Gap and Tollard Royal.
Do come and see us at the agricultural shows this summer: We’ll be at Gillingham & Shaftesbury on 13th and 14th August, Melplash on 21st, and the Dorset County Show on 6th and 7th September.
And we’re already preparing for our Harvest Festival service at Sherborne Abbey. Book it in your diary: 28th September at 6.30pm.
[email protected]

Marie Jose Cox ( Jo)

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18.09.34 – 26.07.25

Dorchester – Previously Child Okeford, Blandford & Newark Nottingham.

Aged 90
Passed away peacefully at Dorset County Hospital after a very short illness surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Barry. Loving mother to Melanie and Corinne, grandmother of Charlotte, Jake , Lewis & Tom , and great grandmother of Esme, Toby , Hallie and Indie.

Funeral to be held at Weymouth Crematorium on Friday 15 th August at 11.30 am. Family flowers only please, but donations in Jo’s memory may be given to Alzheimer’s society via Grassbys Funeral Directors .

Allotment diary: July 2025

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Editorial team
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Barry Cuff takes a look back at what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot last month

It was another very dry month with little rain, high temperatures and drying winds. The little rain we did have only amounted to around 0.6 of an inch. Water was in great demand across the allotment site, and we pumped from our 12 foot well most days to supply the tanks and troughs. Vegetables on our own plot were watered every day, including the maincrop potatoes. Some planting was held back until after the 0.3 inches of rain on the 20th. We have been picking tomatoes from the greenhouse most days, and we have lettuce available all through the month.

All images: Barry Cuff

3rd – The haulm (the stalks or stems) was dying back on the Jazzy, Sagitta, Maris Bard and Charlotte potatoes.

4th – Removed three more onions with white rot. Harvested courgettes, beetroot and blackcurrants (Val made a blackcurrant pavlova!). Gave four rows of Desiree potatoes 40 litres of water per row.

6th – Hand weeding.

7th – Dug Maris Bard (good) and Charlotte potatoes (very good!). Prepared the ground for leeks – it’s currently very lumpy.

8th – Dug two rows of Jazzy potatoes (excellent). Helped strengthen and put in new supports under the water-holding tank. Cut haulm off Sagitta potatoes. Harvested peas, courgettes, beetroot, blackcurrants and gooseberries. Fed the strawberry plants.

9th – First big tomato harvest: Akron, St Pierre, Rainbow Blend, Santonio, Santa Victoria and Ailsa Craig. Planted out lettuce from a plug tray.

10th – Weeds looked stressed from lack of rain.

11th – Picked the first Nairobi snap peas and Carrouby de Maussane mangetout. Harvested French beans, peas and a few onions.

12th – Picked courgettes, gooseberries and blackcurrants. A very hot day (31°C).

13th – Stored garlic: now totally dry. Dug five Harry potatoes (a new variety to us – good, but we won’t grow it again). Picked a punnet of bird-sown cultivated blackberries from the hedge.

15th – Harvested peas, snap peas, mangetout, gherkins, French beans and our first outdoor cucumber. Sowed Sweet Williams and Wallflowers in trays for 2026.

16th – Planted out Rudolph and Claret purple sprouting broccoli from plug trays.

17th – Planted out two rows of Musselburgh leeks from pots. Sowed Palla Rossa radicchio in a plug tray.

Caledonian rose pottaoes harves

18th – Hand weeding. Fed celeriac and strawberries. Harvested mangetout, snap peas, peas, gherkins, beetroot, onions and French beans. Had a big tomato and sweet pepper pick.

20th – 0.3 inches of rain! Sowed beetroot and carrot.

21st – Hand-weeded brassicas.

22nd – Planted out lettuce from a plug tray. Fed celeriac. Planted out Navona romanesco. Cut haulm on the four rows of Caledonian Rose potatoes (dying back). Harvested peas, snap peas, mangetout, gherkins, cucumber, beetroot and French beans.

23rd – Sowed Vitimo Chinese cabbage and the next batch of lettuce in plug trays.

24th – Removed cloches from the seven lines of brassicas, then hand-weeded, watered, sprayed for caterpillars and boron deficiency, and erected pigeon-proof netting. Large numbers of Large White butterflies on the wing.

26th – Harvested about 50 per cent of onions and laid them out in trays to dry. Picked cucumbers, gherkins and courgettes. Dug first good-sized carrots. Hand-weeded remaining onions.

27th – Dug two rows of Caledonian Rose potatoes – a good yield, but many were small due to drought.
We now need some decent rain for the remaining crops.

August in the garden

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During hot, dry spells, choosing drought-tolerant plants is better for bees, butterflies, your water bill and your summer display

Following on from last month, where we talked about saving water in the garden, perhaps we should consider native plant varieties and species which naturally need less water – including those with grey or silver leaves that reflect more of the sun’s radiation, such as succulents. Many species that thrive in dry conditions and yet are helpful to bees and butterflies are available.
Here is a list of drought-tolerant plants that may be helpful. This list is not restrictive, there are lots of others:
Agapanthus, Anchusa azure, all succulents including Cotyledon orbiculata, Geums, hardy geraniums, Bearded irises, Mexican feather grass, Nepeta, Pittosporum, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Sea hollies,, verbascums, artemisia, sedums, lavender and heuchera.

A small bird enjoying a bath in a stone birdbath, surrounded by splashing water droplets in a lush green garden setting.

Check your pots
Also, do choose your pots with care, as some lose water more quickly – metal heats up fast, and unglazed terracotta is more porous than glazed, so it loses water faster.
And think about where you place them – avoid the midday sun.
Plants in containers may well need watering twice a day in the summer – in the early morning and evening! Hydrangeas, particularly in containers, may need to be monitored.
Keep feeding all container plants with liquid fertiliser – once a week if possible.

In hot spells
Thin out overgrown pond plants. A water feature that trickles water into the pond will probably help aerate the pond water. Failing that (and assuming no hosepipe ban), water from a hosepipe can be trickled into the pond to help aerate it instead. Solar pond fountains may also help. Remember to top up ponds regularly.
While you’re there, ensure bird baths are full to give garden birds a place to bathe, drink and cool down.
Create an amphibian refuge by placing some logs in a shady area, and stuffing the lower layer with fallen leaves and moss. This will make a cool, damp location for frogs, newts and toads.
Keep deadheading flowers, particularly roses, and summer-flowering shrubs to remove the faded blooms and help continue their display.
Sweet peas are at their best this month, and they really do benefit from constant picking for vases in the house. This helps prolong the flowering period.

Importing tomatoes, exporting common sense

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Editorial team
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Importing tomatoes – literally paying for water – from drought-hit Spain is absurd, says Dorset NFU’s Tim Gelfs: ‘food shortages are just beginning’

Water, water everywhere, the saying goes? Well, while writing this we actually have had some welcome rain that will hopefully motivate the green stuff to reappear. Not nearly enough, of course, but a welcome start: fingers’ crossed we will get some more (although, thinking about it, the kids have broken up for the summer holidays now, so of course it will rain!)
The hysterical media coverage of ‘drought-stricken Britain’ and ‘empty reservoirs’ has meant the roses and the paddling pools are all going to suffer with hosepipe bans across the country. It reminds me of the old Morecombe and Wise piano sketch: “We’re getting all the right rain, just not in the right places and never at the right time!”
I see our environment secretary has announced the cleaning up of our defunct water companies, and he did mention something about reservoirs and storage … we’ll see. I can’t believe we keep being told we are one of the richest countries in the world when our utility infrastructure is an embarrassment, with hardly any long term investment or thinking. But as with all crises, the taps will have to actually dry up before the government’s fire engine comes to the rescue – costing two or three times as much as it should, naturally.

Here in the south west, we can all see for ourselves how a drought affects us. arable crop yields are down, and livestock farmers are already eating into their winter feedstocks. It is costly and doesn’t do the balance sheet much good, but so far we can manage it.
The real challenge is for farmers growing root crops, soft fruit and salads – who rely on irrigation to get the right amount of water at the right time to produce a crop worth harvesting. Yet investment in water storage, and in the networks to move water where it’s needed, has been neglected for too long by both governments and the big retailers failing to support vital industry investment. No, they had a better plan: let’s import most of it! And not from countries blessed with an abundance of water, but from Mediterranean countries such as Spain. Have you looked at a weather map recently? You think we’ve got problems with water! Just take the humble tomato: we import approximately 400,000 tons every year – well over 80 per cent of our UK market. And guess what? Around 95 per cent of it is water. You really couldn’t make it up. This has to be one of the most expensive ways of importing water into our country.
And where is our illustrious climate secretary when you need him? Of course, he’s championing solar farms on all the land where we could grow our food … so we can import more water disguised as fruit or salads.
Brilliant.
We are just beginning to see the stresses of water shortages and weather patterns in our shops. I bet all of us in the last few months have been into a supermarket for some veg or salad and found they have been short of something? This isn’t a mistake, or a problem with the ordering, it’s just not available!
Right now we are in the infancy of food shortages, but if we are not going to invest in home-grown food security and instead rely more and more on imports from drought-stricken regions around the world, we had better get used to it!

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