Head of Marketing and Communications in Liverpool

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts is recognised as a world leading centre of excellence for creative learning and vocational training within the performing arts and creative economies. We enjoy an international and national reputation for the quality of our teaching, our world class facilities and an enviable track record of graduate employment and alumni successes. This is our 30th anniversary year and is an exciting time to join us, as our new Strategic Plan for 2027–2032 is developed and embedded, we expand our postgraduate portfolio and build on newly awarded probationary degree‑awarding powers.

We are looking for a dynamic individual who is a proactive, creative, and highly experienced marketing and communications leader with strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively to support our ambitions for growth and strengthen our reputation. Reporting directly to and working closely with the Director of Marketing & Student Recruitment, you will lead and line manage a team of three marketing professionals. You will shape, deliver and evaluate a reputation‑led, digitally focused marketing, student recruitment and communications strategy. You will provide both strategic direction and hands‑on leadership across marketing, brand, communications and alumni engagement.

Your responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the marketing team, fostering a high‑performance, collaborative and creative culture.
• Ensuring the brand is strengthened and consistently represented across all campaigns and channels.
• Communicating effectively with internal audiences, partners and external stakeholders to support strategic objectives.
• Managing events and overseeing online and offline marketing and communications channels.
• Embedding robust briefing, campaign management and evaluation frameworks underpinned by insight and data.
• Ensuring a joined‑up, insight‑driven approach to marketing and communications through effective system use and clear communication.
• Taking a strategic, proactive approach to alumni relations and engagement, building strong relationships with a global community of over 8,000 graduates.
• Working collaboratively across the organisation to ensure all marketing, communications and engagement activity reflects organisational values and contributes meaningfully to strategic objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a degree or equivalent qualification, with proven expertise in marketing, brand and communications, preferably gained within Higher Education, the Arts or a creative environment. A postgraduate or professional qualification would be advantageous.

You will be an inspiring, experienced leader with excellent communication and project management skills and a hands‑on approach to delivery. You will bring strong expertise in digital marketing and CRM optimisation, combined with data‑driven decision‑making, a rigorous approach to performance measurement and process design, and exceptional attention to detail to ensure consistently effective, insight‑led and well‑managed marketing and alumni engagement activity.

In return we offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, generous pension and holiday entitlements, complimentary tickets to our inhouse productions, and the opportunity to become part of our unique international community of creatives, performers, technicians, managers, cultural leaders, and filmmakers.

The postholder would ideally be available to start from early June or as soon as possible thereafter.

Closing date for applications: Friday 6 March 2026 at 12.00 noon

Interview date: Tuesday 24 March

You can download or request a hard copy of the details, and an application form related to this post from our website. Should you have any questions about the application process or require reasonable adjustments for your application, please contact our Recruitment Team.

As an equal opportunity employer, LIPA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. As part of our Strategic Plan, we are seeking to increase the diversity within our community and would particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities and those identifying as female, non‑binary or trans‑gender. Appointments will always be made on merit.