Strategic Communications Director for Children and Young People

Wrekin Old Hall Trust is seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to fill the role of Director for Children, Young People. This is a senior management position that requires a strong background in marketing, communications, and development.

• Lead the Marketing department, setting high professional standards and a programme of ongoing development to ensure that practices and procedures are effective and efficient in achieving the School's strategic aims and comply with all relevant standards.
• Develop and drive an ambitious, integrated communications, marketing and admissions strategy to help deliver the objectives of the School's development plan.
• Articulate and promote the School's reputation, Christian ethos and the benefits of its boarding and day educational offer in an informed, authoritative and authentic manner to a wide range of audiences.
• Support and advise the Headmaster and Senior Leadership Team on areas of reputational risk, change management, and associated internal and external communications.
• Oversee and support the Head of Marketing in the School's digital strategy, integrating and overseeing activity across all channels including our Trust website.
• Oversee and support the Head of Marketing in the production of the School's publications, ensuring all copy aligns with the School's agreed messaging and delivers the desired purpose, and managing all aspects of the design and production process to agreed timelines and budgets.
• Devise and deliver a coherent and coordinated framework for engaging the School's community of parents, prospective parents, students, staff, and alumni (OWA).
• Support the SLT with critical incident communications to the internal community.
• Oversee the timely and high quality delivery of all internal communications.
• Lead the Development Office with responsibility for strategy and planning for all aspects of development, including the Foundation and the Old Wrekinian Association.
• Play a leading role in the life of the Foundation and Old Wrekinian Association becoming a known and trusted figure in the life of the School.
• Agree and be responsible for targets for the Development Office including financial targets for the Foundation.
• Line manage all personnel within the Development Office to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Work with a number of stakeholders including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Operations to develop and lead an ambitious programme of Enterprise for the Wrekin Old Hall Trust community.
• Ensure that the work of Enterprise dovetails neatly with our day-to-day school life and wider strategic goals.
• Oversee the delivery of the Enterprise programme, ensuring strong relationship building and striving to achieve agreed KPIs for Enterprise.
• Liaise with key stakeholders such as the CFO, Head of Operations, Head of Boarding, catering and domestic teams and external stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of events including our Summer Schools, lets and 'blue chip' events.
• Support the Head of Admissions and International Registrar in overseeing the delivery of an annual programme of recruitment and admissions events, including Open Days, Taster Days, School Fairs and feeder school engagement to support agreed recruitment targets.
• Support the International Registrar in the planning of visits to schools and agents in target countries and represent and promote the School at international recruitment fairs, agent tours and (occasional and by negotiation) visits overseas.
• Support the Head of Admissions in the School's feeder school strategy, aimed at expanded geographic reach and delivery of a targeted and effective outreach programme.

• A demonstrable track record of success at a senior level in a directly relevant area such as pupil/student marketing or recruitment, communications, public relations or development.
• An outstanding presenter who is able to deliver clear, confident and compelling public presentations to a variety of different audiences and be an engaging ambassador for the School.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to use data effectively, including in forecasting and analysis, and to set and use KPIs effectively to drive results.
• Competent and effective user of IT, including, in particular, databases and an understanding of how to optimise their use in customer relationship management, specifically in relation to pupil admissions, alumni and/or fundraising management.
• A good understanding of website design and management and the effective use of social media within marketing and communications strategies.
• Ability to act as an intelligent customer in the commissioning of design, imagery, film, photography etc with the ability to ensure the delivery of high quality, appropriate products which align with an overarching strategy and brand.
• Proven ability to lead teams, supporting staff and building on their diverse talents, skills and perspectives in order to deliver an outstanding service.
• Adaptable and flexible with the ability to think laterally.
• Excellent organisational skills and time management.
• An understanding of UK day and boarding schools with an international element will be an advantage.
• Willing and able to travel both within the UK and overseas.
• Willing and able to attend the full range of School events and functions, including during evenings and weekends, based on the requirements of the School calendar.
• Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people and values and respects the views and needs of children and young people.

This is a full-time, all-year-round Support Staff role. The School offices are open all year round and correspondence, events and visits continue throughout the year, although the work tends to vary between periods of very intense activity and quieter periods during which annual leave can be taken. It is important that the holder of this role can provide a visible leadership presence and support both for their teams and for other Support Staff who are working during school outside term time. The postholder will be entitled to 25 days paid annual leave which should be taken at times agreed in advance with the Headmaster, as well as statutory public holidays. Standard full-time hours for operational and administrative support staff are ordinarily considered to be 08:30am - 5:00pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Evening and weekend work will be required to support key events. All SLT members are expected to be a visible presence in school during the school day so the opportunity to work from home is limited. Attendance is expected at school activities and events throughout the year, particularly as oversight of events is a core part of this role. Periods of overseas travel both for pupil recruitment and for development and fundraising activity may also be required.

This is a senior management position and salary will be discussed at interview. It will be depending on skills and experience and the contribution we feel that you can bring to the Trust.

Wrekin Old Hall Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Candidates must be prepared to undergo appropriate pre-appointment child protection screening.