Senior Brand Manager FTC in Chelmsford, Essex

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). ARU's research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK's Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK's leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead a new brand management function at a pivotal moment for ARU. As the University launches its new 10-year strategy on 1 September, we are creating a dedicated brand team to strengthen, protect and grow our brand, ensuring it reflects the experiences, expectations and perceptions of our key audiences.

As our new Senior Brand Manager, you will lead the development of ARU's brand governance and capability, helping to shape how the University is understood and experienced by prospective students, staff, partners, employers, communities and stakeholders. As our senior brand specialist and guardian, you will ensure the ARU brand is expressed consistently, effectively and creatively, supporting our mission, values and strategic ambitions.

A key part of the role will be leading brand discovery and stakeholder insight activity, building a deep understanding of how ARU is perceived internally and externally, and translating those insights into a compelling brand narrative, positioning and experience. You will ensure evidence and audience understanding are at the heart of how our brand evolves and how we communicate who we are and the difference we make.

Leading a newly formed team of creative specialists, you will develop and embed a robust brand framework covering governance, brand experience, brand discovery and brand performance. You will create the tools, guidance and training that enable colleagues to apply the brand confidently, while establishing proportionate governance that supports good decision-making and protects the University's reputation. Working closely with colleagues across communications, marketing, student recruitment and the wider University, you will help create a joined-up and distinctive brand experience across our physical and digital environments.

We are looking for an experienced brand, communications or marketing professional who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will have a strong track record of developing and embedding brand governance within a complex organisation, alongside experience of leading creative teams, commissioning high-quality work and influencing stakeholders at all levels. Equally important will be your ability to turn insight into action, provide trusted advice and build commitment to a shared brand vision through collaboration, coaching and engagement.

You will establish a new team, create the foundations of ARU's brand governance and capability, and play a central role in bringing our new 10-year strategy to life. We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package.

Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working.