At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and brand for a top UK education trust.
- Company: Join the Harris Federation, a leader in transforming education for disadvantaged youth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, pension scheme, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's futures while shaping a powerful brand.
- Qualifications: Seeking experienced marketers with a passion for education and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 € per year.
A rare opportunity to lead communications and brand for one of the UK's leading education trusts. As Head of Communications and Brand at the Harris Federation, you will help shape and protect our brand, leading strategic communications, marketing and media activity across a network of 55 academies. You will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, driving brand consistency, overseeing high impact campaigns, and leading digital, PR and internal communications to support pupil recruitment, staff attraction and organisational growth. You will also build and lead a high performing MarComms team and manage external agency partnerships. This is a pivotal role where you'll bring the Harris story to life - showcasing our impact, strengthening our reputation, and helping us navigate sector challenges with clarity and credibility.
We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve. We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve. As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff. Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Develop and lead the Federation's external communications and brand strategy at the highest level, ensuring coherence across all academies and central services.
- Act as an adviser to the CEO and executive team on internal and external communications.
- Own and embed the Federation's brand identity, values, and visual standards across all academies and external channels.
- Create comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that align with the Federations aims and increase brand awareness.
- Build and lead a high performing Marketing & Communications team.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media or related field.
- Professional Marketing qualification (CIM or equivalent).
- Significant experience in marketing, communications, or digital strategy.
- Experience managing brand identity and external communications.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing, SEO, Analytics, and social media best practice.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Proficiency with CMS platforms, social media tools, and analytics software.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression.
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus.
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution.
- 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service.
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare.
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice.
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed. We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that's why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Head of Communications and Brand in Croydon employer: Harris Federation
The Harris Federation is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and career progression for its staff. With a strong commitment to social mobility and inclusivity, employees benefit from a range of perks including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements at our East Croydon head office, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in disadvantaged communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications and Brand in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those connected to the Harris Federation. Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a personal website or portfolio that highlights your previous work in communications and branding. Include case studies of successful campaigns you've led. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the Harris Federation’s values and recent initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of social mobility and educational excellence. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Harris community. Keep an eye on our careers page for updates and new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications and Brand in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for education and brand communication shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Harris Federation, so don’t hold back on sharing why you care about making a difference in young people's futures.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Communications and Brand role. Highlight your experience in strategic communications, digital marketing, and brand management. We love seeing how your unique skills can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us your story. Use it to explain how your background and experiences make you the perfect fit for this role. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Federation
✨Know the Harris Story
Before your interview, dive deep into the history and mission of the Harris Federation. Understand their impact on social mobility and how they support disadvantaged pupils. This knowledge will help you articulate how your vision aligns with their values.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've developed and executed successful communications strategies in the past. Highlight your experience in brand management and how you've driven growth through innovative campaigns, especially in education or public sectors.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a potential leader of the MarComms team, be ready to share your approach to building high-performing teams. Discuss how you've mentored others and fostered collaboration, ensuring everyone is aligned with the brand's vision and goals.
✨Engage with Digital Trends
Stay updated on the latest digital marketing trends and tools. Be prepared to discuss how you've leveraged analytics and social media to enhance brand visibility and engagement. This will show your commitment to staying ahead in the fast-paced digital landscape.
