Director of Admissions and Marketing (BCPS) in England

Brighton College Prep School is seeking to appoint a Director of Admissions and Marketing to start as soon as possible. This role offers a significant opportunity for an innovative, dynamic, and driven professional to play a key part in the school’s future. As United Kingdom School of the Decade, Brighton College Prep School is embarking on an exciting new development. This role will be central to showcasing our evolving vision and ensuring its impact is communicated effectively.

Working closely with the Headmaster, this role will be part of the Senior Management Team (SMT). The Director of Admissions and Marketing will provide strategic leadership in shaping and advancing the school’s profile and brand identity. The postholder will take responsibility for designing, developing and executing the school’s admissions and marketing strategies - strengthening our already renowned brand and championing Brighton College Prep School.

The Director of Admissions and Marketing will oversee the strategic planning and delivery of all aspects of admissions and marketing, ensuring recruitment and retention targets are achieved whilst delivering high calibre communications. The role will involve strengthening engagement with both prospective families and the wider school community, and cultivating strong, lasting partnerships with current families that contribute to the continued retention, growth and success of the school.

Main Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Line manage and work in close partnership with the Head of Admissions and Head of Marketing to ensure alignment and delivery.
• Develop and deliver a clear strategy across admissions, marketing, communications, and events to support Brighton College Prep School’s growth.
• Focus on overseas recruitment, with the need to travel to territories around the globe.
• Lead campaigns and content that reflect the school’s identity, values, and ambitions with regular coverage in the national press.
• Shape admissions approaches that respond to the competitive landscape and engage prospective families.
• Contribute actively to the school’s strategic leadership as part of the Senior Management Team.
• Oversee recruitment and marketing outcomes, introducing proactive measures to meet targets and enhance retention.
• Build networks and act as a visible ambassador for Brighton College Prep School and the wider Brighton College family.
• Gather and act on feedback from parents, prospective families, non-joiners, and feeder schools to guide future strategies.

Admissions

• Oversee the full admissions journey, ensuring families receive a personalised and high quality experience.
• Establish admissions processes and communications aligned with Brighton College Prep School’s values.
• Responsibility of all Admissions events, including assessments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of admissions events, incorporating feedback to improve parent engagement.
• Cultivate strong relationships with nurseries, registrars, and agents, coordinating outreach and recruitment activity.
• Ensure that each year group is full (with waiting lists across each year group) with pupils who will want to and be able to transition on to Brighton College.
• Identify and develop UK and international recruitment markets, attending fairs and events strategically.
• Review and develop best practice within the admissions sector.

Marketing

• Oversee, safeguard and strengthen Brighton College Prep School’s brand, ensuring quality and consistency across all communications.
• Define clear brand propositions for each section of the school.
• Oversee the delivery of ambitious marketing plans to raise the school’s profile locally, nationally, and internationally.
• In collaboration with the Head of Marketing, undertake continual competitor analysis and market research to ensure that Brighton College Prep School continues to be the market leader.
• Lead communications strategies across print, digital, and social media, including innovative use of AI.
• Manage relationships with agencies and suppliers.
• Oversee production of multimedia content and external publications.
• Direct the ongoing development of the school’s website and digital presence.
• Build alumni engagement programmes.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

This role will involve daily contact with pupils, and the successful candidate will be engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All staff and volunteers have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible and with whom they come into contact.

Hours

Normal hours of employment will be 40 hours per week, with usual start and end times being from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday inclusive with a 60-minute unpaid lunch break each day. There is a requirement for flexibility for hours worked as and when required, including on weekends from time to time.

Holidays

28 days*, plus bank holidays. *Three days need to be taken between Christmas and New Year when the College is closed.

Person Specification

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual with a strong leadership background in admissions, marketing, customer service, or a related role. The successful candidate will be confident in setting strategic direction, overseeing teams and complex operations, and ensuring that admissions, marketing, and events are delivered to the highest standards. They must combine vision and creativity with meticulous organisation, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to inspire confidence in colleagues, families and external partners.

Experience and Skills

• Strategic thinker, able to set direction and oversee delivery across admissions and marketing.
• Proven ability to manage teams, delegate effectively, and drive high performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with colleagues, families and external partners.
• Outstanding organisational and administrative ability, balancing competing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and ability to promote the school in a competitive market.
• IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Digital design software, and admissions systems.
• Ability to analyse data and produce reports to inform strategy and decision making.

Personal Attributes

• Warm, personable and approachable.
• Strong commitment to education.
• High levels of integrity, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality, with high emotional intelligence.
• Resilient, positive and adaptable, with energy and good humour.
• Visionary leader, proactive, practical and able to embrace and drive change.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Benefits and Wellbeing

• Contributory pension scheme with matching contributions from the employer.
• Life Cover is provided after successfully passing probation period.
• Complimentary lunch is provided.
• Free tickets to the College’s music, dance and drama performances.
• Professional development is a vital part for all those who work in the Brighton College community.
• Employee benefit and discount platform.
• Subsidised gym membership available.
• Personalised health and wellbeing consultations.
• Generous sickness policy.
• Access to books, magazines and DVDs from the College Library.
• Comprehensive wellbeing package.