Head of Marketing & Communications
Brighton Students Union
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Brighton Students' Union is seeking an ambitious Head of Marketing & Communications to lead our brand, marketing strategy and audience engagement for over 17,000 students at the University of Brighton. Reporting to the Chief Executive, this leadership role will drive BSU's brand transformation, enhance student engagement and grow commercial revenues while delivering high-impact campaigns.
You will manage a multidisciplinary team, work with senior stakeholders and ensure communications are GDPR
Qualifications
- Significant experience in a senior marketing leadership role.
- Proven track record delivering multi-channel marketing strategies and campaigns.
- Experience leading brand refreshes, organisational positioning projects or major campaigns.
- Strong commercial awareness and experience driving engagement and revenue growth.
- Experience managing communications, media relations and reputational risk.
- History of building high-performing teams and developing people.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence at senior level.
- Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
- Knowledge of marketing analytics, audience segmentation and data-led decision making.
- Understanding of GDPR, accessibility standards and digital communications best practice.
Responsibilities
- Lead BSU's marketing, communications and brand strategy.
- Drive the rollout and management of our new brand identity.
- Use audience data and segmentation to develop impactful campaigns.
- Lead the launch and ongoing development of BSU's new student app.
- Manage key strategic relationships, including our membership platform Rubric.
- Develop innovative communication channels to improve student engagement.
- Oversee PR, media relations and reputation management.
- Identify opportunities for commercial growth, advertising revenue and shared services.
- Report organisational impact, performance and KPIs to senior leadership and trustees.
- Manage budgets, agency partnerships and supplier contracts.
- Lead, motivate and develop a talented Marketing & Communications team.
Skills
Tools
Job description
Location: Brighton Students' Union, Moulsecoomb Campus, BN2 4GJ
Salary: £50,321 per annum + Excellent Benefits!
Contract: Full time, Permanent - 35 hours per week
- 27 days annual leave plus 4 closure days and bank holidays
- Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working opportunities. This role will require in the office presence 4 days per week during probation period and then 3 days per week after that.
- Employee Assistance Programme with wellbeing resources and support
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Generous pension contributions with employer matching up to 6%
- Access to extensive training and development opportunities
- Up to 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Staff social events and away days
- Discounts in BSU cafés, bars and retail outlets
- Free hot drinks on campus
- Access to University of Brighton facilities
- Free eyesight tests and contribution towards prescription glasses
- Potential sabbatical opportunities after three years' service
Lead a Brand. Drive Engagement. Make Student Life Better.
Are you a strategic marketing leader who can turn insight into impact, build powerful brands, and inspire high-performing teams
Brighton Students' Union (BSU) is looking for an ambitious and experienced Head of Marketing & Communications to lead our brand, marketing strategy, communications activity and audience engagement across a vibrant membership charity supporting more than 17,000 students at the University of Brighton.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is a pivotal leadership role that will drive the next phase of BSU's growth and visibility.
You’ll play a key role in delivering our new organisational strategy, leading a brand transformation programme, enhancing student engagement, growing commercial revenues and ensuring BSU remains at the forefront of student communications.
We provide representation, support, opportunities and services that help students thrive during their time at university. As a values-led organisation, we're committed to being: Inclusive, Supportive and Authentic
This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in our brand, digital platforms, student engagement channels and commercial partnerships.
As Head of Marketing & Communications, you will lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that strengthens BSU's profile, deepens student engagement and supports income generation.
You’ll oversee a multidisciplinary team while working closely with senior stakeholders including the CEO, Board of Trustees, Student Leaders, University departments and external commercial partners.
- Leading BSU's marketing, communications and brand strategy
- Driving the rollout and management of our new brand identity
- Using audience data and segmentation to develop impactful campaigns
- Leading the launch and ongoing development of BSU's new student app
- Managing key strategic relationships, including our membership platform provider, Rubric
- Developing innovative communication channels to improve student engagement
- Overseeing PR, media relations and reputation management
- Identifying opportunities for commercial growth, advertising revenue and shared services
- Reporting organisational impact, performance and KPIs to senior leadership and trustees
- Managing budgets, agency partnerships and supplier contracts
- Leading, motivating and developing a talented Marketing & Communications team
We're looking for an experienced marketing and communications professional who combines strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach.
- Significant experience in a senior marketing leadership role
- A proven track record of delivering multi-channel marketing strategies and campaigns
- Experience leading brand refreshes, organisational positioning projects or major campaigns
- Strong commercial awareness and experience driving engagement and revenue growth
- Experience managing communications, media relations and reputational risk
- A history of building high-performing teams and developing people
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence at senior level
- Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills
- Knowledge of marketing analytics, audience segmentation and data‑led decision making
- Understanding of GDPR, accessibility standards and digital communications best practice
Experience within higher education, membership organisations, charities or the creative sector would be particularly advantageous.
Working at Brighton Students' Union is both rewarding and meaningful. You'll have the opportunity to shape the experience of thousands of students while working within a supportive and collaborative environment.
This role is primarily based at Moulsecoomb Campus, Brighton, with regular travel across University of Brighton campuses as required.
If you're an innovative marketing leader who thrives on developing brands, engaging communities and leading talented teams, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Brighton Students' Union and help shape the future of student engagement, communications and experience.
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