Job Description

Position Details

External Relations


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 33,002 to 35,608 with potential progression once in post to 39,906


Grade: 6


Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2028


Closing date: 30th November 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.


The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.


We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.


We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.


Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.


The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.


Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Background

External Relations is the division responsible for delivering the University of Birmingham to the world and prides itself in seizing opportunities that will enhance the profile and reputation of the University. We communicate with many different audiences to build purposeful relationships internally, locally, nationally and internationally. We enable those who wish to apply to study here to make informed choices.


This Marketing Officer role provides dedicated marketing expertise across a range of channels and activities, working closely with colleagues in the wider Student Recruitment and Marketing teams and with colleagues from across External Relations and the wider University.

Role Summary

The Marketing Officer plays a pivotal role in driving student recruitment and enhancing the University's reputation. Working with colleagues across the University, the post holder will be responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of marketing activity.


This is an exciting role in a busy, innovative and fast-paced team. Working across the full spectrum of the marketing mix, the post holder will work on marketing campaigns for all audiences in the UK and globally. In addition to creating highly tailored marketing content and having a high level of competency in technological solutions to deliver customer relationship management activity and web content, they will bring together detailed market insight with marketing expertise to deliver measurable marketing campaign activities. The post holder should be a creative thinker with excellent attention to detail, and a quick learner who is happy to work collaboratively to produce innovative solutions to business challenges.


The Marketing Officer will build and maintain effective relationships and work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders, including Student Recruitment and Marketing teams, Admissions teams, Colleges, and Professional Services. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, with the confidence to present ideas and plans successfully to the wider University community. They will work across a range of strategic marketing projects institution-wide.


This role would be suited to someone with excellent communication and organisation skills, with experience in digital marketing, looking to further develop their career and bring their expertise into a high-performing team.

Main Duties

Work closely with Marketing and Student Recruitment teams to develop a comprehensive and unified approach to meeting student targets at the University, as well as with colleagues across the institution including those in College teams and the wider External Relations division. The role requires flexibility, with a focus that may shift across key areas - such as content development, lead generation, CRM, and digital platforms - as well as across different products and audience groups, in response to strategic priorities.

Web

Develop web content and upload content to the CMS system, checking with care and accuracy, and ensuring SEO and accessibility compliance. Report and monitor performance of student recruitment marketing campaign pages on the University website, using initiative to provide recommendations and implement changes to improve the site. Work across key sections of the University website, uploading and advising on content, and updating regularly to keep content fresh and up to date. Build campaign landing pages in line with the style and content within the CMS system and in line with the University's brand. Work with the Digital Channel Management team to regularly improve user experience for student recruitment audiences.

CRM

Contribute to the CRM strategy by building email nurture campaigns to attract and convert prospective students across all audiences. Build, deliver and effectively measure email communications plans using the University's CRM system. Play an active role in the development of communications plans and further system developments.

Digital

Support development of advertising campaigns across UK and international markets. Work with internal and external agencies on digital campaigns and monitor performance regularly. Track and measure activity, providing reports and suggesting iterative improvements to deliver against campaign objectives. Work across teams to develop social media campaigns and content to support a range of activities. Look for opportunities to develop new channels of communication with students and manage their implementation.

Content

Plan and write engaging copy for relevant prospective student audiences and across channels aligned with Global Top 50 ambitions. Work with Marketing Managers and other relevant stakeholders to develop innovative campaign ideas and content including video, photography, email, web content, and print as appropriate. Work closely with suppliers including digital agencies and Creative Media (our internal creative agency) to develop campaign plans and materials, including monitoring of activity spend.

Additional Responsibilities

Champion the University brand to ensure consistency of messaging, content and visual identity across all marketing channels. Ensure that the University brand is adhered to and maintained across all marketing activity. Provide professional marketing advice, support and guidance to colleagues from across the University. Provide additional support to a range of marketing activities, events and campaigns, as specified by Marketing Managers. Manage relationships with external partners who support with marketing campaigns both in the UK and overseas, including advertising and brand agencies. Assist with the daily management of the student content team and student ambassadors. Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. Supports the University's sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Educated to degree level (or equivalent qualifications) in marketing or a closely related field and a desire to develop your career in this area - where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required.*
Excellent communication skills, with demonstrable copywriting experience for a breadth of audiences, ensuring accessibility for all. A thorough understanding of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and experience of using a CRM system. A working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is desirable. Experience of using web Content Management Systems (CMS). Digitally literate, with confidence and competence in the use of database systems and electronic communication. Project management experience, and knowledge of running and managing campaigns. Creative and innovative approach to problem solving. Ability to interpret market insight to develop marketing campaign activity. Proven negotiation and influence skills. Well-developed administrative and organisational skills, with real attention to deadlines and detail. Ability to take complex data and translate it into informative and accessible content. Strong analytical and evaluation skills. A team player who can also work independently. Ability to work under own initiative and juggle multiple priorities. To constantly exhibit values and behaviours consistent with the University's and External Relations' framework. Promote a supportive and inclusive team culture - working with discretion, demonstrate diplomacy, maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with GDPR and other regulations as required. Ability to work with colleagues at all levels. Prepared to undertake occasional work in the evenings and at weekends. Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to analyse information and data. Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Daniel Brindley, email: d.brindley@bham.ac.uk


View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

.