Head of Marketing and Admissions - Farlington School in Manchester

Farlington is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 6 months to 18, set in 33 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside. The school enjoys a strong reputation for its academic excellence and welcoming community. Farlington students are happy, fulfilled young people, fully engaged in the life of the school community, aspirational and committed to their studies.

As Head of Marketing and Admissions at Farlington School, you will be responsible for managing marketing, student enrollment, and communication strategies across the School for internal stakeholders, local and international markets. Working closely with the Headmaster and supported by the wider marketing and admission team, you will lead initiatives that drive enrolment, enhance parent engagement, and strengthen the School's reputation. A key aspect of the role will also involve developing the school's international marketing strategy in order to drive enrollment into our boarding.

This is an exciting time in the School's development, and we are looking for a candidate who brings energy, initiative, and creativity, playing a key role in achieving Farlington's marketing and admissions goals. The role demands significant experience, an in-depth understanding of independent day and boarding education, and a combination of outstanding administrative, managerial, communication, marketing, IT, and interpersonal skills.

You will report directly to the Headmaster, articulating the School's ethos and character to prospective parents and the wider community. The ideal candidate will be a flexible, goal-oriented "all-rounder" with an entrepreneurial mindset, a strong work ethic, and a passion for delivering excellent parent and pupil experiences. This role offers significant responsibility and autonomy, ideal for someone motivated by achieving tangible results. You will manage both the admissions team and the Marketing and Communications manager.

As part of the Bellevue Education group of schools, there are excellent opportunities for ongoing professional development, and further opportunity for collaboration between schools within the group. This is a full-time role (40 hours per week, across 5 days, with occasional evenings and weekends).

Salary FTE: £38,000-46,000

• Marketing Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with the Headmaster and leadership team to design and implement an annual marketing strategy for local and international enrollment based on research, data, and performance insights.
• Manage strategy for all social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) including content planning, creation, scheduling, engagement, and reporting.
• Design digital and print content that is visually engaging and consistent with the School's brand.
• Oversee online/offline advertising campaigns and promotional initiatives.
• Produce live and dynamic content (stories, reels, videos) to showcase daily life at Farlington and celebrate pupil achievements.
• Maintain the School's website and CRM systems, ensuring content is up-to-date, engaging, and optimised for conversions.
• Ensure a consistent brand identity across all communications, reflecting the School's ethos and values.
• Manage photography, videography, and creative assets to keep the School's media library current.
• Plan and execute key marketing events, including Open Mornings and taster sessions, as well as international recruitment fairs.
• Liaise with designers, printers, suppliers, and media outlets to maximise exposure.
• Support internal communications to keep parents informed and engaged.
• Line manages the Marketing and Communications Manager, Admissions team: providing guidance, support, and performance feedback, and overseeing appraisal. Set objectives, monitor workloads, and ensure the marketing and communications teams deliver high-quality campaigns and content.

• Admissions Responsibilities:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective families, serving as their main point of contact throughout the admissions process.
• Conduct school tours and taster sessions tailored to each family's needs, reflecting the Farlington experience.
• Develop a comprehensive network of international agents building consistency and trust in our brand in line with international recruitment strategy.
• Keep accurate records in the CRM and MIS systems, ensuring compliance and data integrity.
• Generate and analyse KPI reports to identify trends and improve conversion rates.
• Plan and deliver Open Mornings, private tours, and parent events to ensure high-quality experiences.
• Conduct parent satisfaction surveys and act on feedback to continuously improve the admissions process.
• Present admissions and marketing updates to governors throughout the year.
• Manage international pupil admissions, including visa compliance and liaison with agents where relevant.
• Line manage Admissions staff members, supporting their professional development and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
• Allocate responsibilities, monitor performance, and maintain high standards in the admissions process.

• Person Specification:
• Essential Experience and Skills:
• Proven experience in marketing, admissions, or communications, ideally in a school or service-led organisation and with experience of boarding recruitment.
• Strong digital marketing and social media skills, including content creation and advertising.
• Copywriting, design, or photography skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Data-driven mindset, able to analyse and report on performance metrics.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Confident working independently and collaboratively.
• Professional, approachable, and positive when liaising with families and colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Desirable:
• Experience in an independent school or education marketing environment.
• Degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Familiarity with school CRM and MIS systems (e.g., WordPress, HubSpot, iSAMS).

Benefits:

• Free school lunches
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Pension with Scottish Widows
• Access to school facilities including fitness suite
• Pro-rata fee remission

Farlington School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.