You are invited to submit a proposal to undertake paid media marketing activity for Tech Talent Engine. The successful organisation or consultant will work with the Tech Talent Engine team to achieve the outcomes outlined in this brief.  

Whilst the platform (the Engine) has two distinct audiences (shared below), the overall aim is to effectively promote the Tech Talent Engine platform to individuals seeking a role in Tech.

The timescale for this work is ongoing between November 2023 and September 2024.

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Background

Tech Talent Engine is an online platform created to advertise roles in the Tech industry across the North East.  The roles are for all levels, from entry-level jobs in tech or those that are seasoned Tech professionals.  The Engine aims to bring together people from all backgrounds.

Whilst the roles offered have a slight biased to entry level positions, it doesn't matter what stage in a career an individual is at, the Engine can help take careers to the next level.

The Engine is a free portal (for individuals and businesses) that aims to increase the number of people employed in the Tech Sector.  

The programme is funded by the North Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), as part of the North of Tyne Digital Growth and Innovation Programme.

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The mission

To demystify the tech sector, strengthen the tech talent pipeline across the region and encourage the conversation around digital careers.

Purpose of Tech Talent Engine:

• Support employers with entry-level roles
• Build candidates understanding of the roles available and how their skillset aligns
• Support academic and training organisations with relevant training and increase awareness around the support that is available.

The goal for the Engine by 2025:  

• 100 businesses supported.
• 150 jobs filled  

Whilst the current marketing mix for the Engine is in its infancy it includes content marketing, personal outreach / engagement, social media, PR, SEO/Blogs, website development & emails.

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The brief

Create and implement a paid media (PPC & Meta) strategy that targets our audience, to:

• Raise the visibility of the service offered by the Engine.
• Increase the number of visitors to the Engine.
• Drive a strong ‘application rate’, whilst achieving lower CTAs over the lifetime of the campaign.
• Help with landing page optimisation for improved conversions.
• Provide regular updates on activity performance.
• Suggest a plan that works in bursts of activity, i.e. optimised to peak job seeking periods throughout the year.

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Target Audience overview

Tech Talent Engine has two main audiences; individuals seeking employment in the Tech sector and organisations who have roles in Tech to offer individuals. For the purpose of this activity, the focus should be on individuals.  

Target Audience 1 (Individuals)

• Whether a candidate is just starting out in their career or after the challenge, Tech Talent Engine can support individuals achieve their goals.
• Roles offered vary greatly from the more technical types of roles in IT, data analysis, and AI or project management or digital marketing.  Roles are available for school leavers, graduates and those without any qualifications in Tech and looking for a career change.  

Target Audience 2 (Organisations)

• Tech Talent Engine works with employers across the North East of all sizes from SME’s, starts-up through to large international corporations and public sector organisations. Some of these larger organisations are Sponsors of platform.  Employers are given the opportunity to advertise Tech roles within the Engine for free.

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Delivery Period

Once the contract is awarded, it is anticipated that work will commence in Oct 2023 and will continue through to September 2024. To maximise the available budget the plan might include bursts of activity centred around trends within the job market.

The successful organisation or consultant will work closely with the Tech Talent Engine marketing team.  This will include regular meetings / updates and access to any content created as part of the activity.

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Next Steps

Your proposal should include, in no more than 8 sides of A4 (+ CVs in appendix):

• A brief description of your organisation;
• A description of how you will approach the requirements for this work, including how you will reach the target audience and what you expect we can achieve as a result of your activity;
• A short description of the expertise that would be applied to this work (including CVs in appendix);
• A maximum of 2 examples of relevant, previous work. Who was the audience? What was the aim of the project? What were the outcomes of the work you delivered?
• A quote for this work, including VAT and expenses.

Work carried out during tender response development is at the discretion of the individual organisation and no reimbursement is available for said work.

Quotations shall remain valid for a period of 90 days.

Sunderland Software City does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any quotation and reserves the right to accept a portion of any quotation unless the supplier expressly stipulates. We reserve the right to cancel said agreement by giving one calendar months’ notice.  

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The following scoring criteria will be used to evaluate bids:

Understanding of project requirements  - 25%

Relevant experience of staff to be involved in the project - 20%

Proposed Approach and Predicted Outcomes - 40%

Value for money  - 15%

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Selection & Indicative Milestone Process

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals - 27 September 2023 (5pm)

Review of proposals -  29^th September 2023

Presentation by shortlisted organisations - 4^th October 2023

Contract awarded - 6^th October 2023

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Budget

The budget is up to £15,000 (ex VAT) as a total spend across the selected supplier.

Please send an electronic version to Jill McKinney, Head of Skills - jill.mckinney@sunderlandsoftwarecity.com)

No later than 5pm on Friday 27th September 2023.

Any queries on the tender should be directed to Rebecca Cairney, Marketing Manager at Rebecca.cairney@sunderlandsoftwarecity.com