Marketing Manager

Description:

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Role Summary

This role will be within the Communications and Reputation team within External Relations.

Working across the whole spectrum of the marketing mix and experienced in both digital and offline marketing communications, the Marketing Manager will lead on the development of data driven, marketing strategies and activities, implementing and managing multiple projects and campaigns to build a top 50 research profile and reputation.

The Marketing Manager will work across the University’s priority research areas in collaboration with colleagues across the University to identify opportunities such as new publications, staff news and events to build profile and reputation. The role will drive a range of initiatives in support of the University’s ambition to become a world top 50 institution, working on the University’s global reputation campaign, and also supporting the delivery of the University’s Research Communications Strategy.

This is an exciting role in a busy, innovative and fast-paced team. This role would be suited to someone with excellent communication and organisation skills, with extensive marketing experience, and proven experience in running data driven campaigns, managing complex and concurrent projects, and managing people and relationships across large organisations.

The post-holder will develop a deep understanding of the University’s priority research areas, identifying opportunities to promote our expertise, signature projects and assets in a way that engages with our target audiences. They will work extensively with the research community, developing strong relationships with leading academics, research centres and institutes. This position is also required to use tact and judgement in solving problems and should be comfortable managing external agencies.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Communications and Reputation, the post holder will work in a matrix management approach, working closely with a community of research communications colleagues across the institution to ensure we integrate and align activity at all times.

Main Duties

Ensure research marketing and communications activity across the institution is aligned to institutional objectives and complies with the University’s brand identity guidelines, acting as a brand champion to ensure consistency of content, tone of voice and brand across all marketing channels and campaigns.
Support the Deputy Director of Communications and Reputation in the implementation of the Research Communications Strategy, focusing on agreed ER Priorities and driving closer alignment of activity across the institution.
Working with the Campaigns and Reputation Team, support the research content strategy that reflects research priorities over the next 2-3 years, considering our key audiences, stakeholders and channels, including briefing campaigns to support and build reputation.
Develop innovative cross-channel marketing strategies and campaigns to support research reputation activities, monitoring their success and amending accordingly to continually improve performance.
Support the design and delivery of programmes to support researchers in developing skills to improve their internal and external research profiles through media training, online publication profile management and broader engagement opportunities, linking to University wide initiatives around building influence.
Manage relationships with internal and external creative and digital agencies with the objective of delivering innovation in marketing and developing high-quality content and materials.
Work closely with the rest of the Communications & Reputation Team to develop a comprehensive and unified approach to research marketing and campaigns at the University, as well as with colleagues across the institution including those in College teams and the wider Professional Services division.
Build strong and lasting relationships with colleagues across the university, in both professional services and the academic community to enhance and champion our marketing activity. Look for opportunities to collaborate to mutually support each other’s objectives across all relevant business areas.
Ensure that activities are informed by performance analysis and data and monitor the effectiveness of campaigns reporting to Deputy Director of Communications on a regular and timely basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus significant relevant practical experience – where no equivalent qualification is held substantial practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
GCSEs to a minimum of grade C in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualifications).
Authoritative knowledge of the work practices, processes and procedures relevant to the role, including broader sector/commercial awareness.
Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.
A good first degree or equivalent (postgraduate qualification desirable)
Substantial experience of working in a marketing environment, preferably in a large, complex organisation
Experience of devising and delivering multi-channel marketing and communications strategies and plans and leading digital campaigns
Excellent standard of written and oral communication, with copywriting experience for a breadth of audiences
Experience of translating complex information into accessible communications across multiple channels
Experience of managing creative agency relationships
Ability to interpret data to develop marketing campaigns and report on performance.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a 'can-do' attitude, with an ability to bring people together to work towards a common goal
Ability to influence people in senior positions
Ability to work under own initiative and juggle multiple priorities at once
To constantly exhibit values and behaviours consistent with the University’s and External Relations’ framework. Have excellent communication skills and the ability to work with colleagues at all levels.