Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications

This is a critical leadership position in the senior team of the Marketing department at Northumbria University. In this role you would lead the corporate marketing and communications strategy and delivery for Northumbria University. You'll be responsible for growing, protecting, and amplifying our reputation through strategic brand initiatives, innovative marketing campaigns, and compelling communications that showcase our research excellence, teaching quality, and community impact.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, you'll provide strategic oversight of our brand, reputation, and communications functions while leading integrated campaigns that attract high-calibre students and staff, engage external stakeholders, and enhance our standing globally. You will be part of a team of expert Directors who collaboratively have responsibility for driving revenue and reputation for the University. You’ll work directly with our Vice Chancellor and other members of the University Executive.

Key responsibilities include developing the University's brand strategy and positioning, leading integrated marketing and communications strategies, enhancing visibility of our research and teaching through evidence-based campaigns, building strong relationships with national and international media outlets, and providing 24/7 crisis communications leadership and reputation management.

You'll oversee our digital presence, lead content creation, manage budgets and measure ROI, while working collaboratively with university partners and business/JV partners to amplify the Northumbria brand.

Further information is available in the job description.

ABOUT THE TEAM

You'll be joining the Marketing team within a creative, forward-thinking university. Working closely with the Chief Marketing Officer and University Executive, you'll lead, empower and develop a high-performing, commercially focused team of experienced professionals, committed to excellence in marketing and communications. You’ll be an excellent, collaborative leader, with the skills and ability to inspire colleagues in your team to achieve their potential.

The role involves extensive collaboration across the university's senior management teams and faculty leadership, as well as representing Northumbria at external events in the UK and internationally. You'll be central to shaping our university's public profile and compelling narrative in a supportive, innovative environment that values collaboration, ambition, and academic excellence.

Within Marketing we have a range of responsibilities including UK and International Student Recruitment, Admissions, Market Insight, Global Partnerships, Pricing, Marketing Campaigns, Alumni and Philanthropy, Brand, Social Media, Content, Digital Marketing, CRM, Media Relations, Crisis Communications, and Reputation Management. Learn more about our university at Northumbria University.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in the role you will ideally have:

• Significant senior-level experience in marketing strategy and delivery, preferably in complex public sector or higher education environments
• Significant senior-level experience in communications strategy and delivery including PR, media relations, and crisis communication leadership
• Proven success in brand, digital marketing, and customer relationship management
• A strong track record as an inspirational and collaborative leader.
• Deep knowledge of UK Higher Education and current policy developments with strategic thinking ability.

Further information is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact helen.bower@northumbria.ac.uk.

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

ABOUT US

Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us at Northumbria University.