At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marketing strategy and campaigns to boost student recruitment and enhance MLA's brand.
- Company: MLA College, a growing institution focused on innovative education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and drive meaningful change in higher education.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education marketing and make a real impact on student recruitment.
- Qualifications: Proven marketing experience, leadership skills, and a passion for education.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Reports to : Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location
- Republic Campus, London (with travel to other MLA locations as required)
- Role Purpose
The Director of Marketing provides strategic and operational leadership of marketing and communications at MLA College, strengthening the institution’s reputation, market position and sustainable student recruitment.
The Director of Marketing is responsible for developing a distinctive MLA brand, generating high-quality prospective student enquiries and delivering measurable marketing activity across UK and international markets.
Working in a lean and growing organization, the role combines institutional-level strategic leadership with practical oversight of campaigns, digital channels, content and marketing performance.
The role works closely with Business Development, Admissions, Academic and Operational teams, while respecting their separate responsibilities for recruitment partnerships, admissions decisions and the student experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy, brand and reputation
- Develop and deliver a marketing and communications strategy aligned with MLA’s institutional objectives, approved growth plans and student recruitment priorities.
- Build a consistent, credible brand and clear positioning for MLA College, its degree-awarding status, programmes and modes of study.
- Lead institutional messaging, public relations, reputation management and internal and external communications, including major announcements and launches.
- Ensure marketing materials accurately reflect programme approval and validation arrangements, the student experience and MLA’s regulatory obligations.
- Student recruitment and marketing delivery
- Plan and deliver integrated campaigns that generate qualified enquiries for undergraduate and postgraduate programme, including online and in-person provision.
- Lead marketing activity supporting the launch and growth of Republic Campus, future campuses and new programme, with clear campaign milestones and enrolment objectives.
- Oversee the website, search, paid advertising, email, social media, prospectuses, events and other recruitment marketing channels.
- Work with Business Development on regional campaigns, partner and agent marketing materials, and market-specific positioning; work with Admissions to improve enquiry handover and applicant communications.
- Use audience insight and market research to shape campaign messages, propositions and channel investment.
- Performance, governance and leadership
- Own marketing budgets, campaign forecasts, supplier and agency relationships, and demonstrate effectiveness and value for money.
- Establish reporting across the prospective student journey, including enquiry quality, conversion, cost per enquiry, cost per enrolment and attributable tuition fee income.
- Work with Admissions, Business Development and Registry to maintain reliable definitions and data flows across marketing, CRM, applications and enrolments.
- Ensure marketing communications meet relevant UK advertising, consumer protection, privacy and data protection requirements, alongside MLA’s own policies.
- Lead, coach and develop a small, high-performing marketing team, balancing accountability for outcomes with direct involvement in delivery.
- Provide clear performance reports, analysis, risks and recommendations to the CEO and relevant institutional committees.
- Key KPIs
- Qualified enquiries and enquiry-to-application conversion by programme and market
- Application-to-enrolment conversion, assessed jointly with Admissions
- Cost per qualified enquiry, cost per enrolled student and marketing return on investment
- Student recruitment campaign contribution against institutional targets
- Website performance, digital engagement and campaign effectiveness
- Brand reach, reputation and awareness in priority markets
- Marketing budget performance and timely campaign delivery
Experience & Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent professional experience in marketing, communications or a related discipline; a relevant professional qualification is desirable.
- Substantial marketing experience, including at least three years in a senior leadership role.
- Strong track record in brand development, integrated digital marketing and measurable acquisition or recruitment activity.
- Experience of higher education, international education or another regulated, service-led sector is highly desirable.
- Evidence of commercial judgement, budget management, data-led decision-making and effective management of agencies and teams.
- Ability to work confidently with executive colleagues while remaining hands-on in a developing organization.
- Strategic and commercial judgement
- Brand stewardship
- Student-centered communications
- Digital marketing and analytics
- Collaborative leadership
- Clear communication and influencing
- Delivery focus and adaptability
- Success Measures
- MLA has a distinctive, trusted brand and stronger visibility in its priority markets.
- Marketing delivers a predictable and measurable pipeline of appropriately qualified prospective students.
- Campaigns support successful programme and campus launches within agreed budgets.
- Marketing, Business Development and Admissions operate as a joined-up recruitment journey with clear accountability.
- Marketing information is accurate, compliant and consistent across channels.
- The Marketing team is engaged, capable and effective in a lean operating environment.
Director Marketing in London employer: MLA College
MLA College Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a flexible and supportive work environment for Associate Tutors in Meteorology and Oceanography. With a strong commitment to global sustainability and innovative education, employees benefit from being part of a diverse academic community that values professional growth and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the freedom of remote work and contributing to a world-class educational experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Marketing in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for MLA College and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like MLA College are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with MLA College on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at MLA College. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Marketing in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit MLA College. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of MLA College:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about MLA College’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MLA College
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at MLA College will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At MLA College, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
