Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications

Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Our inventions and interventions have helped to shape the social, cultural and economic prosperity of our city, our country and civilisation itself. We have been changing the world since 1451.

Today, as well as being one of the best universities in the world, we are one of the best universities for the world: Glasgow is ranked in the world's top 20 universities for our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development goals.

Glasgow is synonymous with discoveries, innovations and leadership of global importance; a university characterised by the closeness of our community, the strength of our connections and the incredible potential unleashed by our collaborative spirit.

The new role of Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications in External Relations Marketing and Communications will lead a team that shares this world-changing story, curating and sharing content that informs and inspires in equal measure to engage our audiences.

Job Purpose

To lead on the design and delivery of the University of Glasgow's Marketing strategy to support the strategic ambitions and organisational goals of the University and delivery of recruitment, reputation, and research key performance indicators.

Leading the Marketing function, the postholder will:

• Devise and implement strategic marketing plans to deliver against recruitment and conversion, research and reputation objectives, informed by our University strategy and reflecting our World-Changing Glasgow brand.

• Directly line-manage Brand and Reputation, Events, Publications and Design, Student Recruitment Marketing, Market Insight and Web team leads.

• Provide leadership and expert advice for colleagues across University of Glasgow for the successful implementation of impactful, consistent and coherent marketing activity.

To lead on high level projects assigned by the Director of Marketing and Communications, with measurable outcomes involving collaborations across External Relations and contributing to the overall development of External Relation strategies. Including attending External Relations Leadership meetings when appropriate.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee the delivery of timely, appropriate, and compelling marketing activity to internal and external audiences, developing, maintaining, and enhancing relationships with colleagues across External Relations, University Services, Colleges, and Student Bodies.
2. Lead the operations of an effective and efficient marketing function, managing and supporting Brand and Reputation, Events, Publications and Design, Student Recruitment Marketing, Market Insight and Web direct reports to achieve University KPI's.
3. Provide professional expertise and advice on issues relating to marketing that may impact on the University's reputation, providing leadership and guidance on appropriate strategies directly to the Principal, Deputy Vice Chancellor External Engagement, Chief Operating Officer/University Secretary and Senior Management Group members.
4. Liaise with colleagues across the University of Glasgow to deliver coordinated plans, managing budgets and supplier engagement, and leading on a monitoring and evaluation framework to enhance and maximise service quality, efficiency, and continuity.
5. Lead on the development of our World-Changing Glasgow brand to strengthen the University's global reputation.
6. Develop and deliver an effective and innovative marketing strategy across all platforms and events ensuring consistency, alignment, and relevant translation of messaging, working with colleagues from across External Relations, University Services, Colleges, and alliance partners and networks.
7. Oversee the monitoring and auditing of campaigns, events, platforms, and publications to ensure a coherent and consistent voice for all communications and ensure that all are operating in accordance with best practice guidelines and the University of Glasgow's brand.
8. Work with colleagues to shape and deliver activity relating to values-based campaign work, engaging the University community accordingly to drive forward strategic transformation and positive cultural change across the University.
9. Be the lead contact to activate marketing channels in support of emerging crisis communications responses.
10. Contribute to University-wide projects and attend committees, including the Senior Management, Marketing and Communications Sub-Group and College Reputation Groups.
11. Oversee the delivery of timely and relevant data and insight to shape marketing strategies, ensure effective channel management and provide expert guidance to senior colleagues on emerging issues, opportunities, and successes.
12. Oversee the editorial, design, and development of high-quality content and collateral to support University of Glasgow strategic aims. Ensure all information and publicity meets the University's quality standards for presentation, content, and branding.
13. Contribute to strategic planning and delivery of our World-Changing Glasgow narrative, overseeing a consistent institutional approach to sharing best practice and the dissemination of University of Glasgow content whilst demonstrating the impact and value of activity through effective evaluation and benchmark measures against agreed objectives.
14. Build strong professional networks and effective working relationships with a range of key stakeholders, which will include partners, sectoral networks, government agencies and departments and industry partners.
15. Represent the University and External Relations at a senior level on external professional groups, forums and committees as required.
16. As a member of the Marketing and Communications Management Team, be a positive and creative influence to improve overall standards of planning, delivery, qualitative reporting, and impact. Deputise for the Director of Marketing and Communications as required.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

1. Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and  Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification),  or equivalent, including being  professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas.
2. Thorough knowledge and understanding of work practices, policies, and procedures relevant to the role.
3. Demonstrable knowledge of best practice in social media, student communications and content strategy.
4. Demonstrable knowledge of how audiences use and engage across internal and external communications channels and events.
5. Authoritative knowledge of the role of market insight in shaping strategic and operational plans and deliverables.

Desirable:

1. Thorough knowledge of the higher education sector including current trends.
2. Relevant membership of a professional body.

Skills

Essential:

1. Leadership skills of the highest quality with demonstrable evidence of team management.
2. Ability to understand, interpret and appropriately summarise complex issues across a broad range of disciplines, demonstrating political sensitivity and environmental awareness.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and discretion, and the ability to liaise with colleagues, teams and partners at all levels of seniority.
4. Initiative, creativity, energy, and enthusiasm, as well as excellent time management and organisational skills, and the ability to work efficiently on numerous projects simultaneously.
5. Ability to produce and implement strategic policies.

Desirable:

1. Advanced IP capability/aptitude.

Experience

Essential:

1. Experience in a senior position in a Marketing function, engaging directly with the organisational head with a proven track record in developing and delivering campaigns, communications, content and events.
2. Experience of conveying subject matter concisely and compellingly to audiences with wide ranging degrees of interest and expertise.
3. Identifying appropriate partnership opportunities that deliver impact.
4. Experience of leadership and management in a complex organisation, , with experience motivating teams to create a high performing, customer focused proactive marketing function
5. Considerable experience of working across Marketing platforms and Events formats.
6. Experience of communication monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
7. Experience of Content Management System (CMS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.

Desirable:

1. Experience of brand, content and channel strategy development and delivery.
2. Experience of data and insight tools for professional purposes.
3. Experience of digital media, and of creating and editing content.
4. Experience of event strategy development and delivery.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £59,139 - £66,537 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate

 The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. 

As part of Team UofG, you will be a member of a world-changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. A welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff,   pension, benefits and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. 

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

 Closing date: 23:45 on Sunday 6th April 2025