Group Chief Marketing Officer (Group CMO) in London

Global University Systems is an international education group that empowers students to transform their lives through education. We believe education drives careers, lives, and society forward, enabling a brighter future for all. Our network of 30 institutions offers the broadest range of industry‐relevant skills through inclusive, accessible, and digital‐first learning. We currently educate around 122,000 students on campuses worldwide and have 20M+ unique subscribers to our courses. Our global ecosystem powers accessible digital learning and academic achievement.

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMO) to lead the global marketing and communications strategy across our diverse portfolio of 30+ higher education institutions. This pivotal role demands a strategic, creative, and digitally focused leader who can blend vision with operational excellence. The CMO will drive brand strategy at a group level, creative excellence, marketing performance, and communications delivery to support student recruitment, brand growth, and institutional reputation worldwide.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for the Group and working in close partnership with senior executives, academic leaders, and institutional marketing teams, the CMO will lead a global team, working directly with institutional marketing leaders to ensure delivery of initiatives that drive brand awareness, student recruitment, and revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the group‐wide brand strategy, ensuring consistency while enabling local market adaptation.
• Partner with institutions worldwide to embed brand strategy into recruitment and revenue growth plans.
• Champion marketing innovation, data‐driven decision‐making, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee all digital channels to drive communications, student recruitment, and engagement.
• Lead the Group Creative Director and team to deliver best‐in‐class creative outputs and storytelling across all channels and working in tandem with institutions, globally, ensuring cohesive brand positioning across diverse markets while allowing for localized adaptations.
• Align marketing operations with brand and creative strategy to ensure efficiency and measurable impact.
• Oversee group‐wide communications and PR, including internal communications, employee engagement, and executive positioning.
• Lead multi‐jurisdictional crisis communications in partnership with senior leadership.
• Drive ESG‐related initiatives and communications to reinforce GUS's commitment to sustainability and social impact.
• Act as a strategic partner to the executive team on growth, market entry, and programme launches.
• Build strong relationships across academic leadership, admissions, operations, and student services to align marketing with business needs.
• Engage with external partners, agencies, media, and industry groups to expand visibility and influence.
• Lead and inspire a global marketing and communications team, fostering creativity, accountability, and innovation.
• Work closely within institutional marketing and senior leadership to collaborate, drive performance, campaigns and revenue growth.
• Invest in talent development and succession planning across the marketing and communications function.
• Manage budgets and ensure strong ROI across marketing and communications investments.
• Use analytics and performance metrics to inform strategy and optimize campaigns.
• Commission and apply market research to identify opportunities for differentiation and growth.

Experience & Qualifications

• 12‐15+ years of senior marketing leadership experience, preferably within higher education or EdTech or other complex, global industries.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing multi‐brand strategies and navigating complex, multi‐stakeholder environments across diverse markets.
• Creative mindset with proven ability to deliver compelling brand storytelling and campaigns.
• Strong background in digital and performance marketing, and marketing technology.
• Proven leadership of large, global and cross‐cultural teams.
• Significant experience in communications, media relations, crisis management, and executive communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with senior stakeholder engagement capability.
• Experience with data analytics, CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, and digital optimization tools.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field required; MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification preferred.

Other information

Global University Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal opportunities and are committed to the principle of equality regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability. The post holder may be asked to undertake different or additional duties in line with business requirements at the request of their line manager. There is an expectation that all employees will maintain the values of the Group and will comply with the code of conduct as well as equality and diversity, health and safety and safeguarding policies.