Digital Lead

Pahekoheko | Engagement

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Fixed-Term – 12 Months
• 37.5 hours per week

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Digital Lead? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

At University of Canterbury (UC), we’re looking for a strategic and data-driven digital marketing leader to help connect future students with life-changing opportunities. As our next Digital Lead, you’ll lead innovative digital campaigns across domestic and international markets. From SEO and Google Ads to automation, analytics, and audience personalisation, you’ll help deliver exceptional digital experiences at scale.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced marketer who thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves turning insights into action, and enjoys balancing strategy with hands-on campaign delivery. You’ll play a key role in shaping how one of New Zealand’s leading universities connects with future students across the world.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the development and optimisation of multi-channel digital marketing campaigns
• Managing high-performing Google Ads, SEO, social, retargeting and eDM strategies
• Driving data-led decision making through analytics, reporting and customer insights
• Leading agency and contractor relationships across major campaign initiatives
• Creating personalised customer journeys that improve engagement and conversion
• Collaborating across faculties and teams to deliver consistent, impactful messaging
• Identifying new digital opportunities, trends and technologies to keep UC ahead of the curve

Mōu | Who You Are

You will have at least 7 years’ experience in digital marketing with a strong analytical focus and be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Expert-level experience managing Google Ads campaigns and digital advertising spend
• Strong understanding of SEO, SEMrush, analytics, customer journey mapping and campaign optimisation
• Experience with CRM, CMS, Google Marketing Platform, Tag Manager and marketing automation
• Familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Confidence interpreting data and translating insights into strategy and action
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, agencies and projects simultaneously
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for continuous improvement
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

As part of the Engagement portfolio, the marketing team exists to build the profile and reputation of UC as an outstanding, world class learning environment that supports the pursuit of excellence, attracts a diversity of talent and investment and continuously reinforces the value of UC qualifications and experience. As ambassadors for the University's marketing strategy, the team work with a range of stakeholders internally and externally, including senior university managers, academic staff, major donors, prospects and alumni.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 4 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%) (If over 9 month)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 2 June 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.