Director of Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications in Canterbury

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is a modern, mission-driven institution with a distinctive heritage and a strong commitment to education, inclusion and societal impact. Based in the historic cathedral city of Canterbury, with parts of its campus located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the University is nationally recognised as one of the largest talent providers in the South East of England for public services. Founded in 1962 with deep roots in teacher education, health and social care, the University now prepares future talent for careers across STEM, non-STEM disciplines and medicine. With an increasingly international profile and a growing global footprint, it serves more than thirty thousand students. As an anchor institution for Kent and Medway, Canterbury Christ Church University brings together academic excellence with a strong social mission. Through its people centred approach, commitment to public service, community engagement and widening participation, the University plays a leading role in transforming lives and strengthening communities locally, nationally and globally.

The Director of Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications (MARC) is a pivotal senior leadership role who will play a leading role in positioning CCCU in one of the most dynamic and transformative periods in UK higher education. The post shapes the University’s brand, market presence and student growth strategy, and leads a fully integrated MARC directorate to deliver a seamless, insight-driven applicant journey from first engagement through to enrolment. Sitting at the centre of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education, Student Growth and Global Engagement) portfolio, the Director works within a highly connected leadership team that brings together Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications with Education and Student Success, Graduate Futures and Alumni Relations, Global Engagement and Internationalisation, and Specialist Resources and Technical Services.

The role offers the opportunity to join the PVC Portfolio Executive Team and the University Leadership Forum at a moment of significant sector reform. The introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), the shifts in employer expectations, modular learning growth, digital transformation and AI are reshaping demand, behaviour and competition. CCCU is positioning itself to lead in this space, and the Director will play a critical role in preparing the institution for a future defined by flexible and personalised education. This includes enabling flexible, modular study pathways, modernising admissions into an agile year-round service, ensuring portfolio alignment with employer and learner demand, and strengthening CCCU’s proposition for adult learners, upskilling professionals and non-traditional entrants.

The Director will lead a high-performing MARC directorate with clear priorities and measurable outcomes. They will champion a digital, insight-led approach to marketing, outreach and recruitment; oversee distinctive audience-focused campaigns; and embed data, evaluation and segmentation at the heart of activity. A unified communications approach will support effective internal engagement while enhancing CCCU’s external profile through media relations, reputation management, crisis communications and public affairs.

Governance, regulation and performance oversight are critical aspects of the role. The Director will oversee compliance with the UKVI, CMA, OfS and GDPR frameworks, ensure responsible recruitment practice, and oversee robust evaluation, reporting and risk management. They will play an influential cross-university role, working collaboratively with academic and professional services leaders to ensure MARC strategy informs—and is informed by—wider institutional priorities.

CCCU is seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong track record across marketing and communications in higher education or a similarly complex environment. Candidates will bring strategic insight, commercial literacy, digital fluency and inclusive, values-led leadership.

This is an exceptional opportunity for someone motivated to join an ambitious University with motivated and supportive Executive Leadership, to lead a directorate that unites brand strength, recruitment performance and student growth.

We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible and this role is split between home and office working. Other key benefits of working at the University include membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, generous holiday entitlements, training and development opportunities, flexible working and health and wellbeing support.

Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you.