Interim Head of Marketing & Communications; maternity cover

Position: Interim Head of Marketing & Communications (14 month maternity cover)

We're looking for an experienced, commercially minded marketing generalist to lead Marketing & Communications during a period of growth. This is an expansive, hands-on leadership role that touches every area of the business and involves working directly with external clients and partners. The role will be a 14 month fixed term maternity cover.

Because of the nature of this work:

You will be required to travel to our Summertown, Oxford office regularly, ideally 1-2 times per week, attend client sites and attend events both in the UK and internationally.

You will need to hold existing or be eligible for UK Security Checked Vetting (SC), details of which can be found on the Gov UK website.

Key responsibilities

Marketing strategy, planning and performance

• Deliver Mind Foundry's marketing and communications strategy in support of company and commercial priorities.
• Translate business objectives into focused plans, campaigns, budgets and measurable outcomes.
• Establish clear priorities for the function and direct resources towards activity with the strongest strategic and commercial value.
• Monitor and report on campaign effectiveness, audience engagement, website performance, lead quality and contribution to commercial opportunities.
• Manage the marketing budget, external suppliers, and agency relationships, and maintain an effective operating rhythm for the function.

Brand, positioning and external communications

• Own Mind Foundry's brand, positioning and messaging architecture.
• Ensure communications are clear, credible and appropriate for Defence and National Security customers, partners, investors, government, and prospective employees.
• Lead PR, media engagement, thought leadership, and product marketing.
• Maintain brand consistency across digital channels, presentations, events, partner materials, recruitment activity, and internal communications.
• Coordinate sensitive external comments, interviews and information requests, ensuring claims are evidenced, and customer or partner confidentiality is protected.

Content, digital channels and campaigns

• Lead high-quality content including website copy, case studies, partner marketing, thought leadership, and social content.
• Own the website as a strategic marketing, commercial and employer-brand channel.
• Develop integrated campaigns for priority capabilities, markets, partnerships, and events.
• Ensure customer stories, programme evidence, and operational proof points are used appropriately and with the necessary permissions.

Internal communications and organisational alignment

• Own Mind Foundry's internal communications approach, working closely with People and Operations teams, so employees understand company priorities, decisions, progress and upcoming activity.
• Continue to drive clear communication rhythms across leadership updates, company meetings, Teams, email and internal content.
• Plan and run quarterly all-company onsites, coordinating agendas, workshops, and logistics, alongside summer and Christmas parties that bring the team together.
• Run regular employee surveys and feedback opportunities, translating insights into practical improvements, and communicating the actions taken.
• Partner with People on employer brand, recruitment marketing and onboarding communications.

ESG

• Oversee Mind Foundry's ESG programme, ensuring commitments are planned, delivered, measured and communicated credibly.
• Maintain an achievable roadmap for environmental, social, and governance activity.
• Continue to drive credible ESG evidence for bids, customer engagement, investor materials and partnerships.

Team leadership and function development

• Lead and develop a blended team of permanent employees, interns, consultants, and agencies.
• Provide clear priorities, effective delegation, constructive feedback, and professional development.
• Assess capability and capacity needs as the business grows, and lead recruitment and resourcing decisions to build the most effective mix of permanent employees, contractors and specialist support within agreed budgets.
• Balance hands-on delivery with effective delegation, making clear decisions about priorities, ownership and where specialist expertise will have the greatest impact.

Core Experience

Marketing and communications leadership