Head of Marketing

Role:  HEAD OF MARKETING
Location:  Regent Global HQ, Holborn, London/Hybrid
Salary:  Up to £60,000 per annum subject to skills and experience
Reports to:  Chief Growth Officer

Job description
R egent College London (RCL) is a dynamic and forward-thinking independent higher education provider, committed to delivering flexibility, choice, and innovation to our students. With campuses in central London, including Fitzrovia and Holborn, alongside multiple study centres in North London and an international presence through online delivery, we offer a broad range of opportunities for learners worldwide. At RCL, we take pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to enhancing the student experience. By working in close partnership with esteemed academic institutions on our franchised and validated programmes, we ensure high-quality, industry-relevant education that supports widening participation and promotes lifelong learning. Our proven track record of success is a testament to our unwavering commitment to student achievement, personal development, and future readiness.

Purpose of Role

The Head of Marketing will lead the development and delivery of a data-driven and digitally focused marketing strategy, innovation and the effective use of AI, to enhance student engagement, increase application numbers, improve conversion rates and support enrolment growth. They will ensure marketing activity is evidence based.
The post holder is a senior commercial leader responsible for the development and delivery of institution-wide marketing and communications strategies and activities in support of the recruitment of Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. The post-holder operates as a specialist expert on all marketing and communications matters which influence student recruitment, providing analysis and advice across the range of the institution's student recruitment activities and in support of the optimisation of existing, and the development and implementation of new programmes of study.
The post holder will provide leadership to institution-wide marketing activities and initiatives, ensuring that the College makes use of the full range of appropriately innovative communications channels and methods — including AI-enabled tools, marketing automation and digital performance marketing — to engage with prospective students and their influencers, increasing awareness of RCL and our programmes and improving conversion.
The post-holder will work closely with the faculty teams, Student Recruitment and Admissions Office, student experience colleagues and the wider Department of Marketing to ensure that Institutional and Faculty/School strategies and activities related to student recruitment are complementary and consistent, and will ensure that all activities are well researched, benchmarked and supported by robust data analytics and reporting in order to justify the effective and efficient use of resources .

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Student Recruitment:
  • Lead the delivery of institution-wide activities and initiatives targeted at applicants in alignment with the College's Student Recruitment and Marketing strategies, developing, managing and monitoring strategies plus planning and implementing activities which raise awareness of RCL's programmes, capture leads, encourage applications and increase conversion.
  • Support and stimulate marketing and communications strategies and initiatives related to UG and PG Student Recruitment delivered by a range of internal stakeholders, providing specialist advice and consultancy as required.
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of the institution's marketing communications strategy, acting as subject matter expert on opportunities and issues relating to UG and PG Student Recruitment.
  • Develop and maintain trust-based working relationships with colleagues across the institution which enhance the reputation of the Department of Marketing for the quality and effectiveness of its strategic planning, creativity and implementation.
  • Act as a member of the Commercial Leadership Group, working closely with colleagues to ensure effective implementation of an integrated, multi-media Student Recruitment activity plan.
  • Maintain a thorough awareness of developments and trends in the Higher Education sector nationally and internationally related to student recruitment and respond to them as appropriate.
  • Manage and optimise the annual marketing budget, ensuring maximum return on investment.

 

• Content, Communications and Media:
  • Oversee the development of high-quality multi-media promotional and publicity materials and communications content related to UG and PG student recruitment, liaising closely with internal stakeholders and delivery partners within Marketing and Communications.
  • Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of the institution's presence on third-party media platforms targeted at UG and PG applicants and prospective students, ensuring that return on investment is measured and strategies refined as necessary.

 

• AI and Marketing Innovation: 
  • Use AI tools and emerging marketing technologies to improve campaign effectiveness, content creation, audience targeting and operational efficiency.
  • Identify and implement innovative approaches to enhance student engagement and recruitment outcomes.
  • Ensure the appropriate and responsible use of AI within marketing activities.

 

• CRM and Marketing Automation:
  • Oversee the delivery of a sector-leading applicant communications experience through the effective use of Applicant CRM systems and tools, including the development and delivery of a roadmap to enhance system functionality and associated working practice.
  • Develop and manage automated marketing journeys to nurture prospective students.
  • Work with CRM and digital platforms to improve communication effectiveness and conversion rates.

 

• Digital Performance Marketing:
  • Lead performance marketing activities across paid search, social media, display advertising and other digital channels.
  • Monitor and optimise campaign performance through data analysis and ongoing testing .

 

• Student Journey and Customer Experience:
  • Map and continuously improve the prospective student journey across all touchpoints.
  • Ensure marketing communications are personalised, relevant and aligned with audience needs.

 

• Market Research, Data Analytics and Reporting:
  • Specify and/or manage market research and analysis relating to undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment activities.
  • Use data, market intelligence and campaign analytics to inform marketing decisions.
  • Produce regular performance reports and dashboards, making recommendations for continuous improvement.

 

• Website and Content Performance:
  • Oversee website content and user experience to support recruitment.
  • Work with internal teams to improve SEO, website engagement and lead generation.

 

• Brand Management:
  • Protect and strengthen the College brand across all marketing channels and communications.
  • Ensure brand consistency and quality across all recruitment and promotional activities.

 

• Staff Management Responsibility:
  • CRM Manager
  • Marketing Manager, Paid Media/Agency
  • Marketing Manager, Market Insights
  • Marketing Manager, Owned Channels
  • Marketing Team
• Special Conditions:
  • You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager.
  • You may on occasion be required to travel (including internationally) to support recruitment-focused events and related activities, which may take place outside the normal working week. This may include supporting key recruitment activities (such as Open Days), for which TOIL would be provided where contracted working hours are exceeded, to be taken with agreement of your line manager.

 

Person Specification

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
Academic Qualifications:

• Education to degree level or equivalent with substantial experience, or a graduate with proven relevant experience, and Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) or similar qualification and equivalent experiential learning/work experience.

Experience:

• An excellent track record of achievement in a senior marketing and communications role.
• A good understanding of the full range of relevant communications channels, including demonstrable experience of managing effective use of digital communications media.
• A successful track record of planning and implementing significant marketing and communications activities.
• Proven ability to manage a diverse portfolio of work in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Significant experience of working in a student recruitment and marketing environment in Higher Education.
• Experience of using a customer relationship management system/techniques to enhance marketing and communications activity.
• Experience of preparing formal written reports and presentations for a range of audiences including senior management.
• Experience of managing priorities, processes and procedures in a complex multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience managing multi-channel digital marketing campaigns. 
• Experience using CRM and marketing automation platforms. 
• Experience analysing marketing performance data and producing actionable insights. 
• Experience managing external suppliers. 
• Experience of content marketing, social media and digital advertising. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to think strategically and develop and implement effective communications strategies and plans.
• Able to develop and maintain effective, trust-based working relationships with academic and other colleagues based on mutual understanding and respect.
• Ability to analyse and present complex data and concepts clearly and concisely.
• Proven ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
• Effective communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• IT literate, including proficient use of MS Office.
• Strong digital marketing and performance marketing skills. 
• Knowledge of AI tools and emerging marketing technologies.
• Marketing automation. 
• Data analysis and reporting. 
• SEO and content marketing knowledge. 
• Budget and ROI management. 
• Project management and campaign delivery. 
• Attributes:
• Proven personal leadership qualities including self-motivation and the ability to motivate high performance in others and to develop staff.
• Adaptable.
• Ability to develop networks and manage conflicting priorities for self and others.
• Ability to think creatively with originality and insight.
• Customer focused, resilient and determined.
• Flexible and able to cope with competing demands.
• Diplomatic and willing and able to negotiate to achieve win-win / mutually desired outcomes.

Desirable
Qualifications:

• Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent.

 

Compliance Statement

Successful applicants will be required to complete pre-employment checks, including a criminal records check, two references, ID and Right to Work verification, and education confirmation. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion, selection for employment is based solely on an individual’s skills, qualifications, and experience relevant to the role.