Job Description

Full Time - Permanent - High Wycombe campus
Salary from 44,746 to 56,535
We're not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We're challenging it. We're doing things differently - because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.
It's an exciting moment to join us. We've appointed a brilliant new director of brand, communications and marketing and are boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.
We're looking for a Senior Marketing Lead who shares our restless drive to cut through a sea of sameness with clarity, courage, and impact. To stop us sinking into the higher education blandscape.
Someone who will guard and champion our brand, making BNU's purpose unmissable in a noisy sector - and prove that a modern university can be both distinctive and effective. No experience of working in higher education? No problem.
This role is about more than drafting copy that will never be read. It's about shaping the story of a university in transformation. You'll be one of the architects of how BNU looks, sounds and behaves, ensuring that our brand and marketing output reflect who we are, what we stand for, and the change we're making in the world.
So, if you're ready to stand for something bigger than yourself, and help build a university where everyone belongs and everyone thrives - this might just be your moment.
Join us. Be bold. Be different. Be BNU.
What we offer:

• a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
• training & development support opportunities
• contributory pension scheme
• discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
• a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role, please contact Louise Harvey, Chief Impact Officer, by emailing Louise.Harvey@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU's workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to people@bnu.ac.uk If you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date: 30 November 2025
Interview Dates: 5 December 2025
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Location
High Wycombe
Contract Type
Permanent
Salary Range
44,746 - 56,535
Hours per week
37
Closing Date
30/11/2025
Ref No
1919

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Senior Marketing Lead
Directorate: Brand, Communications & Marketing
Grade: H
Location: High Wycombe & hybrid working
Hours: 37
Responsible to: Director of Brand, Communications and Marketing
Responsible for: Marketing Managers x 2 and Insight Manager
Job Purpose:
To be the guardians and champions of the University brand and lead the development and implementation of the University's marketing strategy. The role encompasses creating integrated marketing plans and delivering research-driven, integrated campaigns to attract, convert, and retain students, as well as engaging external stakeholders and partners and providing strategic counsel to the organisation, collaborating with Communications colleagues to enhance BNU's reputation and impact.
To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role

• Co-develop with the wider team and implement a comprehensive brand-led marketing strategy to support the University's key strategic priorities and recruitment targets. Work seamlessly with the Communications team to ensure integrated thinking and strategic alignment internally and externally.
• Champion brand consistency across paid, earned and owned touchpoints, by engaging with stakeholders across the University.
• Lead the Marketing team to plan effective, insight-driven campaigns across the full student journey, working closely with internal and external partners as required.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of marketing campaigns from idea development through to evaluation, drawing on the expertise of the Creative and Digital teams, ensuring impact on student recruitment, research and institutional brand reputation.
• Oversee the production and delivery of multi-channel activity to hit target audiences including digital advertising, content marketing, events, and collateral, ensuring consistency with brand position and guidelines. Proactively use evaluation tools and metrics to assess the value, reach, and impact of marketing campaigns.
• Provide robust and trusted strategic advice to the University Strategy Group (led by the Vice Chancellor) and University Management Group (comprising College Deans and directorate leads) on brand positioning, audience engagement and marketing initiatives to ensure the University's profile is enhanced in competitive national and international markets.
• Conduct regular competitor analysis and market research to anticipate opportunities and risks, adapting strategies to meet evolving audience needs, trends and priorities.
• Manage and develop the Marketing team, providing coaching, training, and professional development to strengthen strategic and digital skills and campaign delivery. Promote a culture of brand and data-led decision making and continuous improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including Colleges, Student Journey, External Collaborations, Strategy and external agencies and media owners. Represent the University externally at relevant conferences and sector events.
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., ASA advertising codes, GDPR, Health and Safety, UKVI, and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety, and wellbeing.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
Education, Qualifications & Training
Means of Testing
Educated to degree level
A
Knowledge & Experience
More than 7 years' experience in marketing management
A/I
Experience of establishing a brand and driving a brand-led strategy and behaviours
Strong track record of developing and delivering integrated marketing campaigns, including recruitment or acquisition, with measurable impact
A/I
Evidence of developing and applying market research, audience segmentation, user experience and analytics to inform strategy and campaigns
A/I
Experience of working collaboratively to develop distinct creative campaigns that meet audience needs
Experience of briefing and managing creative and digital resource to produce campaign ideas and materials
A/I
Proven record of managing and optimising digital campaigns across platforms such as Google Ads, Meta, and programmatic channels
A/I
Experience of working collaboratively with Communications, internal and external partners to align strategy and campaigns
A/I
Experience of supporting senior colleagues at Executive Board level with strategic brand and marketing counsel
A/I
Excellent understanding of the wider political and economic context for higher education (or another relevant sector) locally, nationally and internationally.
A/I
Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
A/I
Excellent numeracy and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and apply market research, audience insight, brand and campaign data and performance metrics to refine strategy and optimise campaigns
A/I
Ability to create and implement marketing strategies that raise the profile of an organisation and deliver recruitment targets
A/I
Highly adept in using digital tools and analytics (CRM, Google Analytics, social listening tools, advertising dashboards) to assess and improve marketing performance
A/I
Proven leadership skills to manage, develop, and motivate a marketing team, including coaching and professional development
A/I
Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, delegate effectively, and meet deadlines
A/I
Confidence to provide strategic counsel and present marketing recommendations to senior stakeholders
A/I
Excellent collaborative skills, able to build strong relationships and deliver high levels of customer service to all stakeholders
A/I
Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:
Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.
Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Working together
Working co-operatively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Skills Required