Job Description

West Buckland School are looking for a highly organised, creative and experienced marketing professional with a genuine interest in the independent education environment. The successful candidate will possess a strong work ethic and a desire to immerse themselves into the community enabling them to become an authentic ambassador for the school.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Lead, manage and develop the Marketing and Communications Team and the Head of Admissions. Provide clear and inspirational leadership, vision and motivation for the team where collaborative and creative thinking are encouraged and rewarded. Work closely with the Head, Prep Head and SLT providing expertise in marketing and communications as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Foster a department with a strong team spirit ensuring the highest of standards and continuous professional development.

Strategy and Planning

Develop and implement a dynamic and cohesive vision for the school in line with the school's development plan for internal and external audiences. Formulate, agree on and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the school's mission, values, and aims. Advance and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including current and prospective parents, staff, alumnae, local communities, feeder schools and relevant associations, to enhance engagement and advocacy. Advise on positioning and presentation of the school in reference to the immediate competitor market. Agree all marketing and communications budgets and report to the Head and Governing Body, the latter through termly reports on adherence to budgets. Work collaboratively with other senior staff and particularly closely with the Co-curricular and Admissions departments. Identify and develop potential global markets and work to create opportunities for the school to expand into the global arena.

Brand Management

Provide strategic leadership to develop and implement a targeted and cost-effective marketing plan which enhances the reputation and brand of WBS. Lead the development and management of the school's brand identity, ensuring this is consistent in relation to its visual identity, image, positioning and messaging. This will include guidance for WBS Foundation, OWBA (alumni) and commercial arm of the school. Act as the brand ambassador across all platforms and communications, including the website, social media, print materials, and events and maintain oversight of all materials which represent the brand values and the school. As brand ambassador, optimise opportunities to engage local and global audiences. Develop systems through which brand consistency is maintained in communications from all areas of the school.

Communications

Advise the Head and the Senior Leadership Team on reputational risk, change management, and both internal and external communications strategies, providing strategic guidance and project management to foster alignment between interdependent teams. Play a central role in any crisis management event in terms of managing communications and be prepared to act as a spokesperson for the school if required to do so by the Head. Act as a communications adviser to the Head and SLT and provide best-practice communications guidance and support to the whole school.

Marketing

Provide oversight of the school's website with responsibility for its evolution and accuracy; analyse key digital metrics to inform future marketing activity. Work closely with the Compliance Officer to ensure that all output is GDPR compliant and complies with the latest school policies and upholds the best practice in safeguarding. Ensure that market intelligence (sector trends, the competitive arena and evolving parental aspirations/interests) is up to date to enable the targeting of market segments effectively and measurably. Commission market research as/when required to inform strategy. Develop and oversee the school's digital marketing, including website design and content, SEO, social media, email marketing, and online advertising, ensuring it is engaging, effective, and aligned with the school's values and ethos. Ensure that all photography, film, videography, design and copy are of the highest standards and reflect the West Buckland School brand. Support development of West Buckland Enterprise as a brand alongside the core identity and incorporate this accordingly in strategy and campaign planning. Develop targeted digital and non-digital media and advertising campaigns, ensuring effective positioning of the school's brand. Working closely with the relevant departments, develop and implement a proactive social media strategy to enhance engagement with stakeholders and reinforce the school's reputation. Stay at the forefront of digital communication trends, ensuring WBS leverages emerging platforms and technologies effectively.

Admissions

Manage the Head of Admissions and work closely with them to develop an effective recruitment strategy and to achieve the school's recruitment targets. Provide advice and support for the Admissions Team in all aspects of brand and marketing to enable the team to meet its targets. Provide advice and support on communications to maximise the customer experience and conversion rates from enquiry to enrolment.

Media and Public Relations

Lead the development of relationships with local media outlets, national education journalists, and influencers. Promote the school's social responsibility initiatives, including its scholarship and bursary programmes and diversity and inclusion commitments. Provide PR advice for the Head and SLT in times of crisis or when there is concern regarding reputational damage.

Person Specification

Required:

Educated to degree level (or the equivalent). Demonstrable evidence of the successful implementation of marketing and communications strategies. Excellent skills in all forms of written and spoken communication which successfully impacts all target audiences. Experience of successful brand management. Ability to think strategically, analytically and creatively, with a strong track record of delivering successful multi-channel campaigns. Proven success in leading teams and ensure delivery to deadlines. Experience of admissions in a school and ensuring high levels of conversion. Proven ability of understanding and analysing data, market trends and stakeholder feedback to inform and implement marketing strategy. Experience of preparing reports for, and delivering information to, formal committees such as governing bodies. Ability to work and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, and to manage their different priorities and needs. Willingness to attend events and meetings outside of standard school hours and in keeping with a boarding school environment. Understanding of the context in which you are working and a commitment to the safeguarding of children.

Desirable:

Relevant professional qualifications or certifications in marketing and communications (e.g., CIM, PRCA).

Personal Attributes:

Positive and self-driven with a desire to always achieve the highest possible standards across all your areas of responsibility. Exceptional organisational skills and a flexible way of thinking with a proactive approach to problem-solving. Creative thinker with a willingness to think innovatively including within any budget constraints. Ability to lead in a supportive manner so that your team feels motivated to perform at the highest level at all times. Excellent relationship-builder with internal and external stakeholders and a willingness to be an active member of the WBS community. In possession of a proactive, creative, and flexible approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving school environment.

Hours of work

This is a full-time time appointment working throughout the year and requires the incumbent to be flexible in their approach to hours worked.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we provide free parking, daily lunch and access to our outstanding sports facilities. Further details of benefits we offer can be found in the accompanying Benefits Overview document.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site gym Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:

Barnstaple EX32 0SX: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 03/07/2025