Communications and Student Recruitment Marketing Manager

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

What’s in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

Salary: £43,414 to £46,047 with progression to £51,805 per annum

Closing Date: 29 January 2023

Do you have experience in student recruitment and marketing, with a track record of delivering innovative and successful marketing and communications campaigns? Are you creative and highly motivated to deliver exceptional student recruitment activities? If yes, then this is the role for you.

The Role

The Faculty Head of Communications and Student Recruitment Marketing leads student recruitment marketing, internal and external communications and website optimisation for ten academic Schools in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS), with a particular focus on international and postgraduate student recruitment.

Reporting to the Faculty Director of Operations, you will develop marketing and student recruitment strategies and lead the team in delivering marketing and communications plans, content creation for print and digital channels, on and offline events and website optimisation. You will ensure that all outputs support the University and Faculty strategic priorities and objectives, and measure and assess the impact of your approach on student recruitment.

This role offers a unique opportunity to both shape Faculty marketing and communications strategy and collaborate with wider university marketing and student recruitment colleagues.

Experience in leading and motivating a team and knowledge of digital marketing channels, UK and international student recruitment audiences and behaviour, and delivering impactful campaigns is essential. In addition, as is knowledge of the key issues influencing the Higher Education environment. Experience in leading high performing teams, budget management and ensuring value for money are also key to the role.

For informal enquiries about this role please contact Katrina Savage, Head of Faculty Student Recruitment and Marketing [email protected]

Key Accountabilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for the continuing development and innovation of Faculty student recruitment marketing, internal and external communications and website optimisation activities, ensuring high performance and good team engagement
• Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based student recruitment marketing strategies and plans to meet student recruitment targets. The post holder needs to ensure all activity reflects University, Faculty and discipline strategic priorities and objectives, the University brand, and is directed appropriately at relevant market segments
• The post holder, where appropriate, will support marketing approaches to promote faculty research activity
• Lead the team in developing innovative approaches to digital content creation, including student generated content, and in applying best practice SEO techniques to maximise the visibility and reach of content
• Use a high level of understanding of key target markets and audiences to maximise conversation of offer holders through to enrolment. To include development of strategies and tactics to contribute to awareness raising as well as both lead and application generation
• Use digital analytics and event visitor feedback to evaluate the performance of marketing, communications, and recruitment activity. Create and implement tailored marketing strategies across multiple communications channels based on sound research and evidence for maximum impact and return on investment
• Work with team members and stakeholders to enable cross-school collaboration. Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key central services and across Faculties using networking and influencing skills to inform, persuade and influence at all levels
• Play a lead role in shaping student recruitment marketing activities across the University and represent the Faculty on relevant University committees and working groups, ensuring policies and developments are aligned and communicated across the Faculty and staff are consulted where appropriate
• Work closely with the Faculty Insights team to ensure student recruitment decision making is evidence-based
• Develop and implement marketing and communication plans to take new programmes to market, working in close collaboration with the academic unit, International Office and central Marketing team to maximise audience reach and awareness
• Maintain a high level of knowledge and expertise in areas directly related to student recruitment and marketing, including admissions, widening participation, funding packages, consumer rights and data protection, alongside a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities affecting UK and international student recruitment
• Represent the Faculty and University in the UK and overseas
• Undertake any other relevant duties as commensurate with the post. You will be required to be flexible and adapt as priorities and responsibilities may shift from time to time as the Faculty, disciplines and University respond to challenges and changes in the higher education sector

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiation and influencing skills
• Significant experience of leading, motivating and managing a high performing team
• Excellent organisation, analytical and management skills with a proven ability to think strategically and use a creative approach to problem solving
• Proven experience in the successful design, implementation and management of evidence-based communication and marketing strategies
• A thorough understanding of current digital media, marketing channels, tracking technologies and an ability to innovate in the creation of multi-channel marketing campaigns, with the user experience and journey always at the forefront of your mind
• Experience leading and contributing to innovative projects, campaigns or initiatives

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent marketing qualification, or relevant work experience

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University is also a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 24866