Head of Marketing and Communications

The Head of Marketing & Communications will be responsible for delivering the school’s strategic marketing and communications activities across all departments, working to enhance the College’s visibility both locally and internationally. The ideal candidate will be an experienced and visionary marketing professional, with a strong understanding of the independent school sector and an ability to draw on the best marketing practices from a range of sectors.

The post-holder will have both operational and strategic responsibilities. They will work closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Admissions team, driving pupil recruitment and managing the school’s brand identity. They will also support the College’s commercial activities – including international school and commercial lettings and events.

Under the guidance and direction of the Director of Marketing and Communications, and the Director of Admissions (where relevant) the post-holder will:

• Help to develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing and communications strategy aligned to the school’s values, vision, and growth ambitions.
• Provide oversight, line management and support to the Digital Content and Social Media Officer, and to the Marketing & Admissions Assistant, who runs the College’s Prep School events programme.
• Be responsible for developing a PR and Comms strategy and building relationships with key journalists and influencers. The aim is for the College to become a regular contributor to the media and a thought leader, with the aim of becoming a voice of authority in education.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Director of Admissions to create and execute pupil recruitment strategies, in line with the College’s development plan.
• Regularly analyse market trends and demographic shifts to ensure the school remains competitive and responsive to opportunities and risks.
• Lead efforts in branding, ensuring consistent and high-quality messaging across all platforms and media, both within the UK and overseas markets.
• Serve as the school’s brand ambassador, fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, including parents, alumni, and the media.
• Be responsible for external comms to prospective and current parents, including the College’s weekly newsletters and school notices.

Marketing & Communications Management
Oversee the production of all marketing collateral, including the school’s prospectus, newsletters, and other promotional materials. Ensure they meet the school’s standards for quality and consistency.

• Manage digital marketing activities, including SEO and website management, ensuring the website is updated regularly and accurately reflects the school’s ethos and offerings. The post-holder will also work with the Digital Content & Social Media manager to ensure that social media activity is in line with the College brand and complements all other digital and offline marketing and communications.
• Lead the development and implementation of public relations strategies to enhance the school’s media profile and reputation
• Utilise analytics to track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, including online engagement metrics, and optimise strategies to achieve the best return on investment.

Team Leadership & Development
Manage a small team including a Marketing & Admissions Assistant and Digital Content and Social Media Officer, fostering a friendly, supportive, collaborative, and creative environment.

• Ensure effective communication between marketing, admissions, commercial and development teams to ensure all marketing activities align with the College’s brand and its recruitment and retention goals.

Events Management
Support the Director of Admissions and the Director of Marketing and Communications in the planning and execution of key school events such as Open Days, College Tours, and other promotional activities aimed at strengthening relationships with prospective and current families.

• Coordinate with various departments to ensure events reflect the school’s values and enhance its reputation.

Budget & Reporting

Prepare reports for the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Senior Leadership Team and Governors on the performance of marketing and comms activities, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

No job description can fully cover all aspects of the role and consequently the responsibilities are likely to evolve and change over time.  This description gives an overall view of the position.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Proven track record in a senior marketing and communications role, ideally within the education sector.
• Experience developing and implementing marketing strategies that deliver measurable results.
• Good leadership and people management skills, with experience in managing a small team.
• Outstanding copywriting skills and a discerning creative judgment across both print and digital communications and publications.

Desirable Qualifications

• CIM or equivalent professional marketing qualification.
• Experience working in independent schools, with a deep understanding of pupil recruitment, including in international markets.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
• A strategic thinker who can also execute day-to-day marketing operations effectively.
• Excellent understanding of digital marketing channels, including social media, SEO, and CRM systems.
• Creative, dynamic, and capable of inspiring a team.
• An appreciation of safeguarding protocols within a school environment

The selection panel reserves the right to enhance any or all of the desirable criteria to attain a manageable field

In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance any or all of the desirable criteria.

Hours: This is a full-time role working throughout the year.  The minimum hours per week will be 40, with such additional hours as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role. Normal office hours are based around the school day of 8am to 6pm. In addition, the Head of Marketing and Communications will be required to lead on some events/meetings during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends.

Salary: Circa £50,000 per annum full time post, reviewed annually, and paid monthly in arrears on 25th of the month.

Holidays:   The holiday entitlement is 33 days paid holiday per annum inclusive bank holidays. Additional discretionary days are offered by the Bursar during the Christmas and New Year period.

Pension: The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust.  The College will pay a contribution rate equating to a total of 7% of salary and the employee contribution is 5%.  There is the option to increase the employee contribution by way of AVCs. 

Life Assurance: Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary at no cost to the employee;

School Fee Discount: Generous school fee discount available subject to qualifying conditions;

Private Health Plan: Offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions;

Employee assistance programme: this includes free counselling service to employees and close family;

Dining Facilities and Refreshments: Whilst at work a free meal and refreshments are available when the dining room is open;

Health Fitness and Wellbeing: Free use of Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff  at certain times;

Cycle to Work: The College offers an interest free cycle to work loan subject to a qualifying conditions;

Parking: Free car parking for staff is available on campus;

Computer Loan: The College offers an interest free computer loan subject to a qualifying conditions.

In compliance with safer recruitment regulations, the post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.

Candidates should complete an application form which can be downloaded via our website www.epsomcollege.org.uk. To comply with safeguarding procedures when working in a school, CVs cannot be accepted.

Applicants should refer to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure policy on the College website.

Applicants are welcome to contact the Director of Marketing and Communication for an informal chat/further information mark.tobin@epsomcollege.org.uk

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and subsequent offer of employment may occur at any stage after applications are received. We invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Closing date 15^th January2025