At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marketing strategies to empower education services and drive growth.
- Company: Join the UK's leading education services platform, transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible benefits after probation.
- Other info: Be part of a community that values your voice and celebrates individuality.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your marketing leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in a senior marketing role with a proven track record.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Supporting Education Group (SEG) is the UK's leading education services platform. We partner with schools, educators, multi-academy trusts, local authorities, nurseries, and government departments to help solve the most pressing workforce and skills challenges facing education today.
Our group is organised into four practices – Qualifications & Training, Recruitment & Supply, Professional Services, and SEND & Inclusion – each united by our purpose: empowering the world of education.
About the Role
The Marketing Director will shape and deliver the marketing vision for our SEND & Inclusion and Professional Services practices.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for leading a commercially driven marketing function focused on proposition development, pipeline generation, conversion performance and customer retention. This role owns the effectiveness of the end-to-end marketing funnel, from demand creation through to conversion into revenue and customer lifetime value.
Working closely with the Practice Managing Director, Practice Marketing, Finance and Sales teams, and the Group Chief Marketing Officer you will ensure marketing is fully aligned to business priorities and plays a central role in delivering revenue outcomes.
A critical element of success will be building trust at pace, both externally with Local Authorities, Multi Academy Trusts, Schools, Tutors and other stakeholders, as well as internally across teams. This includes establishing credibility through clear value propositions, evidence of impact and consistent delivery against commitments.
Success will be measured through marketing generated pipeline, conversion rates across the funnel, customer acquisition cost and overall contribution to commercial performance – alongside increased brand recognition and trust across our customer base and the wider sector.
Strategic Marketing Leadership
- Develop and execute a commercially driven marketing strategy across S&I and PS, anchored in clear segmentation, defined customer journeys and measurable pipeline, conversion and customer acquisition outcomes.
- Align marketing objectives with business goals, ensuring measurable impact on revenue, customer growth and market share.
- Champion a data-driven, insight-led approach to marketing across all brands.
Brand Portfolio & Market Share Growth
- Manage and position complementary brands, ensuring each is distinctive while contributing to the overall strength of the practices.
- Drive collaboration and co-marketing opportunities across brands to increase qualified leads, improve conversion and drive cross-selling opportunities.
- Lead the integration and realisation of marketing synergies for any new acquisitions into the practices.
Customer & Tutor Growth
- Oversee strategies that attract and retain tutors, schools, trusts and local authorities.
- Partner with sales, operations and central marketing teams to optimise lead generation, lead quality, conversion rates and customer engagement across the full funnel.
- Own funnel performance end to end, identifying drop-off points and implementing targeted initiatives to improve progression at each stage.
- Enhance customer journeys using data, feedback, and CRM insights.
- Introduce test and learn approaches to continuously improve conversion across channels, messaging and journeys.
Digital Marketing & CRM
- Maximise the impact of digital marketing and HubSpot Marketing Hub to deliver automated, targeted campaigns.
- Oversee SEO, paid campaigns, email and social media strategies across brands.
- Ensure best-practice adoption of data-driven marketing, attribution and ROI tracking across all channel.
- Track and optimise cost per lead, conversion rate and customer acquisition cost across digital activity.
Market Research & Insight
- Monitor policy, competitor and market trends to shape positioning and identify opportunities.
- Use insights to inform proposition development, pricing, positioning and conversion strategies.
- Lead, coach and support the existing practice marketing teams, helping to align activity to commercial priorities and develop capability across the practices, building accountability for pipeline generation, conversion performance and channel effectiveness.
- Build a culture of curiosity, digital and AI fluency, and proactive problem-solving.
- Shape and develop the marketing team to support both scaled acquisition and targeted, relationship-led growth across SEND & Inclusion and Professional Services.
- Partner with Group Marketing to align practice marketing with SEG-wide initiatives.
- Represent the practice in group-wide forums and cross-practice projects.
Budget & Reporting
- Manage the practice marketing budgets effectively, ensuring resources deliver maximum ROI.
- Set and report against KPIs, presenting regular performance insights to the senior leadership team.
- Own reporting across pipeline, conversion rates, customer acquisition cost and marketing ROI.
About You
- Proven experience leading a commercially driven marketing function, delivering measurable pipeline, conversion and growth outcomes.
- Track record of building and evolving marketing capability in complex or multi-segment environments.
- Strong strategic and commercial judgement, with the ability to translate business priorities into effective go to market execution.
- Data-driven mindset with experience using insight and performance metrics to optimise marketing impact.
- Experience in people-based services or recurring revenue models (SaaS, Subscription) is highly advantageous.
Key Behaviours
- Operational Gravitas: The ability to influence practice leaders and central marketing leads.
- Resilience: Thrives in the demanding, fast-paced environment typical of a PE-backed group.
- Digital Fluency: A natural inclination to solve manual problems through system-led automation, AI and data architecture.
- Integrity: High ethical standards with a commitment to being the ultimate gatekeeper of the Practice brand health.
Qualifications
- Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field.
- 5+ years in a senior commercial/marketing role, with demonstrable success leading strategic marketing functions.
- 28 days holiday and get an extra day for each year you stay with us, up to max 33 days plus bank holidays.
- Private Medical Insurance once you've passed probation, which includes access to a private GP.
- From day 1, free life insurance covering up to x4 your salary.
- Employee and Employer Pension contributions after 3 months service.
- Choice of flexible benefits after passing probation - includes buying extra holiday, dental, topping up your healthcare plan, bikes, gym membership, electric cars and give as you earn.
- Volunteer Days - 3 days per year, with two focused on Education
Location & Working Pattern
Ideally based in London (or with the ability to travel to London office minimum three days per week) with some travel to other regional offices.
By joining Supporting Education Group, you will become part of a community that is dedicated to transforming lives and sustaining communities, where your voice is heard, your ideas are valued, and your individuality is celebrated. Together, we will continue to advance our passion for education and build brighter futures for all.
Employment offers are subject to satisfactory vetting checks. These checks will be run in line with the latest guidance and legislation. You will need to already have the right to work in the UK, as we are not able to offer any sponsorship(s) for visa applicants.
Commercial Marketing Director employer: Supporting Education Group
Supporting Education Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong commitment to making a positive impact in the education sector, we offer comprehensive training opportunities, a supportive environment, and the chance to work with passionate professionals dedicated to empowering learners and educators across the UK. Located in a vibrant area, our team enjoys a dynamic workplace that values innovation and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
Contact Details:
Supporting Education Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Marketing Director
✨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 Supporting Education Group 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 Supporting Education Group 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 Supporting Education Group 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 Supporting Education Group. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Marketing Director
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 Supporting Education Group. 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 Supporting Education Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Supporting Education Group’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 Supporting Education Group
✨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 Supporting Education Group 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 Supporting Education Group, 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.
