Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Area VCO Executive Office

Location University Park

Salary £132,800 to £162,300 per annum pro‑rata depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Closing Date Sunday 15 March 2026

Reference CCMO
2026

We are seeking an inspiring Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO) to provide strategic leadership and oversight across areas of Communications, Brand & Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions, Development and Alumni Relations, and Global Partnership. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) you will play a pivotal role in shaping how the University is seen, heard and understood locally, nationally and globally.

This is a high‑profile, influential role for a leader who combines strategic vision with deep expertise in brand, marketing and communications to drive reputation, growth and focus on expanding our international reach and competitiveness.

As a CCMO you will play a defining role in shaping how the University is positioned, perceived and chosen by prospective students, partners, supporters and wider society. Through strong brand stewardship and integrated marketing and communications strategies, you will ensure the University’s purpose, strengths and impact are communicated clearly, consistently and compellingly across all audiences. You will provide strategic leadership across brand and marketing activity that powerfully communicates the University’s distinctiveness and value and directly drives the attraction, recruitment and retention of students in a highly competitive global marketplace.

You will develop and champion a clear, confident institutional narrative, act as guardian of the University’s brand across all channels and touchpoints, enhancing our reputation, reach and influence nationally and internationally. Working closely with the President and Vice‑Chancellor, COO and University Executive Board, you will serve as a senior spokesperson and trusted adviser, providing leadership through opportunity, change and reputational challenges.

Leading a diverse portfolio of professional teams, you will foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performance culture, embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in leadership practice and ways of working. You will champion a more commercially aware and audience‑centred approach, ensuring that brand, marketing, communications and fundraising activities deliver clear outcomes and long‑term value for the University. This is a rare opportunity to strengthen and elevate the University’s reputation and global profile, positioning it as an institution of choice for students, partners, alumni and supporters worldwide.

• A strong strategic mindset, with the ability to translate vision into deliverable plans
• An instinctive motivator and growth‑minded leader who understands how to engage, attract and inspire diverse audiences, whether students, members or wider communities
• A confident, inclusive leadership style and a track record of leading change and transformation
• Effective influencing skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in both leadership practice and service delivery

We offer a range of benefits to support you professionally and personally as a valued member of our community. Visit our benefits website to find out more.

For an information conversation with our recruitment partners Gatenby Sanderson, contact Jude Watters at jude or visit the dedicated microsite for further information and to apply.