At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marketing strategies and grow the student esports community.
- Company: Join National Student Esports, the UK's official body for university esports.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work flexibility, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, remote-first environment with a passionate team.
- Why this job: Shape the future of university esports and connect students with career opportunities.
- Qualifications: 3-5+ years in marketing, social media, or community roles; experience with Gen Z audiences.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (UK based) / Sunderland HQ (hybrid)
Travel: UK-wide (events as required)
Type: Full-time
Salary Range: £35,000 to £45,000
Reporting to: Managing Director
About National Student Esports (NSE)
National Student Esports (NSE) is the UK’s official body for university esports and are partnered with British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). Every year, 18,000 students and 2200 teams from 110+ different universities compete in our online and in-person tournaments and events. This is an exciting time to join NSE as we enter the next stage of our growth in the UK and internationally. Our ambition is to significantly grow our community and strengthen their engagement, expand our tournaments and events, and build pathways between our community and graduate employers.
The Role
We are looking for an ambitious and creative Marketing & Community Manager to lead and deliver NSE’s marketing, communications and community growth strategy. This role is ideal for someone with 3-5+ years' experience, likely coming from a larger marketing team, who is ready to step into a role with full ownership, accountability, and strategic responsibility. You will be responsible for designing, planning and executing marketing and communications activity across multiple channels, growing and engaging our student community, supporting commercial partners, and driving increased participation in NSE competitions, events and programmes. This is not a role where you follow an existing plan—you will create and lead it.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own and lead NSE’s overall marketing and communications strategy
- Develop and deliver annual and campaign-based marketing plans aligned with organisational goals
- Drive community growth, engagement and retention
- Identify opportunities to attract new students, universities, partners and stakeholders
- Use data and insights to continuously optimise performance
Social Media & Content
- Own NSE’s multi-channel social media strategy (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Discord)
- Develop platform-specific content strategies tailored to audience behaviours
- Plan, create and oversee engaging content (video, graphics, written)
- Manage content calendars and campaign delivery
- Maintain a consistent and compelling brand voice across all channels
Community Engagement
- Build and nurture an active, engaged student community
- Manage community platforms (including Discord and social channels)
- Drive meaningful interaction and participation
- Gather insights and feedback to inform strategy
- Build relationships with student leaders, societies, and ambassadors
Commercial Partnerships
- Deliver marketing activity aligned to partner and sponsorship agreements
- Track, monitor and report on contractual deliverables
- Ensure high-quality execution and partner satisfaction
- Support stakeholder communication and relationship management
Events & Campaign Activation
- Support the promotion, planning and delivery of online and in-person events
- Develop campaigns to drive registrations, attendance and engagement
- Attend key UK events where required
- Capture and repurpose event content to maximise reach and impact
Analytics & Reporting
- Monitor performance using Google Analytics and social/media insights tools
- Produce reports and actionable recommendations
- Establish a data-driven approach to decision-making
About You:
Essential Experience & Skills
- 3-5+ years' experience in marketing, social media, communications or community roles
- Experience developing and executing marketing strategies and campaigns
- Strong understanding of multi-channel marketing and platform-specific content
- Experience building and managing online communities
- Experience using Google Analytics and performance tracking tools
- Experience working with external partners or stakeholders
- Strong organisational and project management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment
- Experience marketing to university students or Gen Z audiences
- Experience in event promotion or delivery
- Knowledge of esports, gaming, or digital communities
- Experience in higher education, student organisations, or youth-focused brands
- Experience delivering partnership activations or sponsorship campaigns
Ways of Working
- Remote-first, based in UK, with flexibility to work from NSE HQ in Sunderland
- Min. quarterly in-person team days in Sunderland
- UK travel required for events and activations
What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)
- A clear, measurable marketing and communications strategy delivered
- Growth in community size, engagement and participation
- Successful promotion of key competitions, events and programmes
- Robust reporting frameworks and performance insights established
Why Join NSE?
- Take ownership of a high-impact, organisation-wide function
- Play a key role in shaping the future of university esports in the UK and beyond
- Work with a passionate and rapidly growing student community
- Help connect students with career opportunities and employers
- Join a small, ambitious team with real scope to make an impact
Marketing & Community Manager in Sunderland employer: NSE (National Student Esports)
National Student Esports (NSE) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment that champions creativity and strategic thinking. With a remote-first approach and the opportunity to collaborate in-person at our Sunderland HQ, employees benefit from a flexible work culture that prioritises personal growth and community engagement. Joining NSE means being part of a passionate team dedicated to expanding the esports community while providing ample opportunities for professional development and meaningful contributions to the future of university esports.
Contact Details:
NSE (National Student Esports) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Marketing & Community Manager in Sunderland
✨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 NSE (National Student Esports) 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 NSE (National Student Esports) 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 NSE (National Student Esports) 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 NSE (National Student Esports). Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing & Community Manager in Sunderland
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 NSE (National Student Esports). 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 NSE (National Student Esports):Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about NSE (National Student Esports)’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 NSE (National Student Esports)
✨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 NSE (National Student Esports) 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 NSE (National Student Esports), 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.
