Chief Marketing

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. We are seeking to appoint a dedicated, hardworking, and proactive marketing professional to support international marketing and communications for our Mandarin Speaking audiences.
The Mandarin Speaking Marketing and Communications Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing our social media strategy and digital communications specifically for the Chinese market. The primary goal is to increase brand awareness, drive engagement, and support student recruitment by creating engaging content across key Chinese social platforms and in direct digital communications. This role requires fluency in both written and spoken Mandarin and a deep understanding of the Chinese digital landscape.
You’ll be comfortable working with minimal supervision and will establish a network of contacts across the University, as well as externally. Reporting to the Head of International Marketing and Communications, you’ll be part of a small, collaborative team within a welcoming and engaged department. The role will involve close working relations with other teams within Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications and with other professional services departments such as Campaigns and Alumni Relations and Global Engagement. Plan, deliver, and manage content and campaigns for key Chinese channels, including Weibo and WeChat, managing the relationship and day-to-day operations with a third-party social media agency.
Create high-quality, original, and engaging content (text, images, short-form video, graphics, articles) specifically for Chinese platforms.
Provide specialist advice to colleagues to inform brand reputation content and activities to target Chinese audiences.
Develop and manage the overall CRM email communications strategy for Mandarin speaking prospective students, writing/editing/proofreading targeted email copy that encourages audiences to move through the student recruitment funnel
Manage student ambassadors to create regular social media content.
Ensure all content is accurate, reflects local traditions and culture, and adheres to University brand guidelines.
Develop strong working relationships across the University to source compelling stories and ensure timely, relevant communications.
Monitor, analyse, and report on the performance of Chinese social media activities and digital engagements, embedding learnings into future activities.
Stay up-to-date with the latest developments, features, and policy changes across the Chinese digital and social media landscape.
Support live-streaming events, online Q&As, or other interactive digital activities as needed.
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, East Asian Studies or a related field.
Experience/demonstrable understanding of running campaigns on major Chinese social media platforms (Weibo, WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Douyin) and the key metrics to measure engagement
Experience of managing simultaneous projects, planning and organising activities for the short and long term
Native or professional-level fluency in Mandarin Chinese (written and verbal) is essential.
Strong understanding of Chinese culture, market trends, and online consumer behavior (e.g. popular topics, taboos)
Proven skills in creating and editing engaging content tailored for social media, including strong copywriting and storytelling abilities
Experience in working in a student marketing and/or communications role
Experience of commissioning content (e.g. photography, videos etc) to support recruitment/sales activities
Experience of working in higher education and an understanding of student recruitment trends and marketing.
Full-time 35 Hours per week, hybrid - minimum two days a week in Sheffield
Permanent
Head of International Marketing and Communications
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Madeleine Stewart, Head of International Marketing and Communications via email: m.j.stewart@sheffield.It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in early January 2026. This will consist of a short stakeholder interview conducted in Mandarin (online) and a formal interview in English (in person). If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kath Dawson at k.s.dawson@sheffield.A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
Generous pension scheme.
A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
A range of generous family-friendly policies
paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
support for those going through the menopause
paid time off and support for fertility treatment
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision () outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.