Description Global Director of Marketing and Communications Post details: Salary: Grade 10, Attractive and competitive salary/package commensurate with experience Contract Details: Full-time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term Contract for 12 Months Location: Riccarton Campus, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and you will be expected to travel internationally as and when required Pension: You will be contractually enrolled into membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. You may subsequently opt out of the scheme if you wish. Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 27th January 2025 The Role: The Global Director of Marketing and Communications role offers an exciting opportunity to provide strategic and transformational leadership to high-performing, across key areas in the wide-reaching Marketing, Student Recruitment, Admissions and Communications functions to support Heriot-Watt University’s strategic ambitions and income growth trajectory. An exceptional leader of people and teams, and an experienced shaper and deliverer of exceptional brand experiences on and offline, you will help refine the positioning of the university to our primary stakeholders and prospects across multi-channel engagement. Reporting to the Global Director of MRAC (Marketing/Recruitment/Admissions/Communications), the Global Director of Marketing and Communications will operate at a senior level within the university structure, working closely with equivalent Professional Services Directors, Executive Deans of our academic schools, Campus COOs, Deputy Principals, and the University Executive. Direct reports include - Associate Director Communications and Engagement and Head of Marketing and Brand. With a wider organisational structure in place globally which the postholder will play a key role in influencing. This post requires someone who has key operational management experience in reviewing and managing resources and structure to deliver critical services. Key Duties and Responsibilities: The Global Director of Marketing and Communications will provide strategic and operational leadership for Marketing and Communications functions covering: Global strategic brand development and visual identity guardianship Digital marketing infrastructure, visibility and reach across web and social media including ownership and roadmap for global website hw.ac.uk and clear framework and operating model for all relevant global and local social media channels Lead generation and conversion for all relevant income segments within remit covering on campus students in Scotland, business to business marketing for research and enterprise, online/distance learning and CPD Work with MRAC Regional Directors in Malaysia and Dubai to drive global brand and student recruitment campaigns – coordinating and leading out where required Play a key role in continuing to develop sector leading prospect journey from enquiry to enrolment – working with the Associate Director of Prospect Experience and their Dubai and Malaysia counterparts and other related services to ensure seamless attraction and on-boarding of students Leading out on the development and use of technology to enhance experiences and inform investment decisions and plans Complete budget responsibility for all annual campaign development and delivery across all relevant audiences Lead on the annual planning for Marketing, Communications and relevant recruitment responsibilities. Develop outstanding relationships with Executive Deans of the 5 Academic Schools of the university, working together to shape the programme offer, maximise awareness to target audiences and deliver outstanding engagement with prospects to maximise conversion to enrolled students Work with the Head of Prospect Experience and UK Recruitment with a clear targeting strategy for Scottish and RUK students – including strategy and associated plans to meet Scottish, SIMD and Rest of UK student recruitment targets Direct the Associate Director of Communications in the delivery of outstanding internal and external communications and associated campaigns to drive reputation and advocacy Develop and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure the continuous improvement and enhancement of the services provided by Marketing, UK Recruitment, Admissions and Communications Develop an effective reporting and monitoring framework to ensure focus on impact and return on investment and strong visibility accordingly with all relevant internal senior stakeholders Promote the role of MRAC within the university and establish excellent working relationships with schools and directorates to ensure market led decision making and appropriate tools for all staff to communicate a strong and differentiated HE brand Work in partnership with the International Regional Marketing and Recruitment Directors to agree annual student recruitment targets, programme portfolio needs and global and regional campaigns – with a strong focus on building an effective global team Manage the implications of change on the team, maintaining team morale and service levels Provide guidance, coaching and support to the team through periods of organisational change Represent the university at relevant external groups and on national committees and identify and adopt key developments in the field both within an outside the sector that can give Heriot-Watt University Marketing and Communications the competitive edge Identify relevant awards and accolades that will support the reputation of your directorate and the university as a whole Work closely with member of the university executive to secure successful delivery of strategy – providing insight, expertise and reporting where required The successful candidate: Demonstrates strong, leadership skills and outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to influence in the wider community Implements strategies to develop, empower and encourage others to take initiative and drive change Builds confidence in others and themselves through collaboration, positive results and celebrates success Successful stakeholder manager who demonstrates good communication and organisational skills Has a profile within the sector – ideally within Scotland and the Rest of the UK with a strong track record in innovation, delivery of results and building strong, well respected and positive teams Is data and impact led in their approach Education, Qualifications and Experience Essential Criteria Educated to degree level or equivalent Experience and extensive knowledge of leading Marketing, Communications and in an education context Experience of managing highly specialised operational teams at or near Director level that includes multiple layers of management in a large complex organisation Demonstrable experience of managing resources, workloads and changing priorities for self and others Highly tuned marketing skills, supported by a comprehensive knowledge of best practice, processes and future direction An awareness of and sensitivity to the significant shift that is occurring in higher education with regards to student needs and wants and the public and private universities competitive landscape Demonstrable experience of managing and successfully implementing strategic change Experience of developing and implementing integrated supporting strategies for Marketing, and Communications A record of successfully delivering change in Marketing, and Communications functions in a large, complex organisation International travel to our other Campuses in Malaysia and Dubai will be required occasionally Desirable Criteria Relevant professional / postgraduate qualification Experience of shaping and delivering effective admissions functions Experience of leading digital marketing with associated technology requirements and functions Experience of operating in a global environment Excellent project management skills How to Apply Please must submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV Applications can be submitted until midnight on Sunday 19th January 2025. At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community. Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.