Marketing Manager - Dubai Campus

Heriot-Watt University; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Dubai is seeking a Marketing Manager to develop and implement marketing strategies aligned with the institution's goals. The successful candidate will have strong project management skills, lead a small team, and be responsible for raising awareness and generating leads through various marketing channels. This role requires creativity, excellent communication abilities, and experience in both offline and digital marketing.

Qualifications

• Highly creative with a proactive approach to work.
• Significant professional experience in marketing.
• In-depth knowledge of offline and digital marketing.

Responsibilities

• Manage applicant communications experience through various media.
• Monitor and evaluate campaign performance.
• Develop and implement marketing plans with Heads of Schools.

Skills

Creative thinking

Project management

Excellent communication

Copywriting

Education

Degree-level education

Job description

Description

Role: Marketing Manager

FTE and working pattern: Full Time

Directorate: Marketing Recruitment Admissions and Communications (MRAC)

Grade: 7

Location: Dubai Campus

Purpose of Role:

The Marketing Manager will lead a small team to develop and implement marketing initiatives and corporate communications within the academic schools aligned to the University’s strategic plan.

The successful candidate will be an ambitious proactive marketing professional with experience in brand implementation, content creation, project management and delivery of publications and integrated marketing campaigns including online campaigns.

The post holder should have a digital‑first approach to all activity and extensive experience of content creation, copywriting, editing and co‑ordinating the design and print production/online management process from briefing to delivery and distribution to ensure that projects meet organisational objectives and are delivered on time, on budget and to the required standard.

The post holder will champion the brand across the University, working closely with colleagues across MRAC – specifically Heads of School – to develop inspiring marketing collateral, digital content and publications and to position the brand to internal and external audiences. They will be responsible for raising awareness of and generating leads for Heriot‑Watt University through online and print media to achieve student recruitment targets.

The Marketing Manager will report to the Head of Marketing and will be expected to act as an integral member of the Marketing team, providing wider support where necessary. They must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong project management experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail.

A key part of the role will involve supporting the development and implementation of annual marketing plans with the Heads of Schools, setting agreed objectives and evaluating performance against those objectives.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

You will be required to:

• Manage the delivery of a sector‑leading applicant communications experience through the effective showcasing of content via the website, CRM, direct mail, social media, events and personalised recruitment activity.
• Prioritise activities and manage complex demands on your time.
• Monitor and evaluate campaign and content performance to make recommendations to inform future marketing and digital campaigns.
• Shape and deliver the school campaign strategy ensuring marketing activities comply with brand and campaign guidelines consistently applied across all media platforms.
• Support a digital‑first approach to curate and implement creative and reusable content that is timely, engaging and relevant to the target market to support marketing plans and utilise across all channels. This includes print estates signage, online and outdoor advertising, direct marketing offline materials and literature, Digital and e‑solutions, PR and sponsorship and marketing support/collateral for corporate events.
• Lead on academic portfolio marketing, social media, recruitment market insights and communications teams to develop campaign messaging and supporting assets and develop marketing collateral with a strong focus on rich media content.
• Maintain a thorough awareness of developments and trends in the Higher Education sector nationally and internationally and ensure that these are responded to appropriately in marketing plans. Deliver both EDI and sustainability as an integral element of all work and a can‑do approach to delivery in all areas.
• Work with internal and external creative teams to create campaign content and assets.
• Manage relevant budgets and ensure that the University’s procurement policies are adhered to.
• Maintain a bank of marketing tools such as briefing templates, disclaimers and model‑release agreements and respond to brand related enquiries.
• Provide advice to internal stakeholders on the procurement of marketing‑related services from external suppliers, ensuring correct interpretation and implementation of brand guidelines.
• Prepare and manage photoshoots and film projects including: the preparation of briefs, model casting, commissioning photography and maintaining an updated photo library.
• Represent the Marketing team and MRAC at meetings and events as required.
• Lead on the development and production of corporate publications.
• Oversee effective archiving, storage and distribution of all marketing material produced for the University.
• Work in co‑operation with the web and recruitment teams to provide appropriate support materials and content for events.
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as directed by the Head of Marketing.

Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level or demonstrate relevant marketing experience.
  • Highly creative and able to demonstrate a proactive approach to work, show initiative and the ability to multi‑task with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Significant professional experience of working in a marketing‑related field.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, an organised hardworking team player who takes a flexible and passionate approach to work.
• In‑depth knowledge of both offline and digital marketing activity.
• Excellent copywriting skills, editing and proof‑reading.
• Experienced working within brand guidelines.
  • Excellent organisational and project management skills and the ability to work independently.
  • Ability to work under pressure, multi‑task and meet deadlines with an excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Line management experience.
• Excellent communication and IT skills.
• Commercial acumen and experience of managing budgets.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the Higher Education sector and an understanding of the macro issues facing the sector.

Required Experience:

Manager

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment system a cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post and an updated CV.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete an on‑demand video interview as the first stage of the selection process. Successful candidates will then proceed to in‑person formal interviews at our Dubai campus where you will be asked to deliver a brief presentation on a relevant topic. Following the formal interview the preferred candidate will attend a second interview with senior staff at the Dubai campus before a final offer decision is made.