Strategic Marketing & Communications Leader (Hybrid) in Edinburgh

Head of Marketing & Communications

Application Deadline: 29 May 2026

Department: Engagement - Marketing & Communications

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Any hub

Reporting To: Chief Engagement Officer

Compensation: £75,000 - £95,000 / year

Job purpose

Leading the marketing excellence for the UK Agri-Tech Centre (UKATC), this role bridges development, implementation and execution of the annual strategic marketing plan with analysis, recommendations and data-based reporting to enhance brand awareness and support and drive revenue generation. A senior-level executive, this role will position the UKATC with its target audiences, driving impactful marketing strategies to build a clear strategy, with coherent integrated messages across multiple channels, aimed at a complex multi-faceted target audience base, with aims to communicate clearly while supporting growth, by setting the standards for marketing communications that drive customer acquisition, retention and loyalty.

With responsibility for the marcomms team management, and therefore the internal communication, execution and delivery, this role will also be responsible for nurturing external relationships with business partners, vendors, agencies, media contacts, partners and other stakeholders to maximise brand exposure. The position holder will play a key role in the development of the internal and external communication strategic direction and execution of all organisation marketing initiatives, aligning with the business goals and work closely across multiple teams in UKATC to ensure organisational support and consistent partnering, with seamless execution. The job holder will also be responsible for managing their team, to lead innovative marketing campaigns and create a positive brand experience with the customer base. To succeed, the Head of Marketing & Communications must not only drive strategic direction and implementation but must also leverage the marketing technologies available to report and analyse in order that the board is fully supported. This is a hybrid role which can be based at any of our hubs: Newport (Midlands), Oxford, York, Edinburgh.

Key responsibilities

• With the Chief of Engagement develop and execute the strategic annual marketing plan for UKATC, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Map the customer base and audiences and ensure the marketing plan reflects their needs.
• Collaborate with the multi-functional business teams to developing marketing and branding strategies for existing and new products.
• Build and lead a strong execution team and oversee delivery, timelines and outsourcing needs.
• Lead Internal Communication delivery development and work across department to deliver.
• Identify short- and long-term scheduling and resource needs, including development and management of annual marketing budget, profit-and-loss projections, and expenditures.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key industry stakeholders, thought leaders and partners.
• Understand key performance metrics and tracking tools for market research, forecasts, competitor analyses, campaign results, and audience trends, and translate results into actionable insights for marketing team.
• Set the tone, pace, output and impact for the brand, and ensure team execution of the highest output to impact the prospective audience(s).
• Develop the reporting needed for the board, to share insights, analyse and report achievements.
• Make ongoing recommendations for improvement, building a improving culture and implementing change to evolve outputs.
• Line management of the marketing communications team.
• Spearhead the execution of marketing campaigns, including test and control group segmentation, testing, tracking, results reporting, analyses, and recommendations.
• Manage conception, development, and implementation of marketing plans and strategy, product concepts, and promotional programs to drive customer interest and engagement.
• Conduct meetings regularly with marcomms team and other functional teams to review pipeline, resolve challenges, and brainstorm possible solutions, and provide training to ensure team is consistently performing above standard.
• Attend conventions, conferences, and trade shows, preparing engaging displays and collateral as needed, and provide post-event reports and analysis.

What we are looking for

• Successful track record in senior marketing role and campaign creation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience in digital marketing, content marketing, event and social media marketing.
• Proven ability to plan and manage budgets.
• Leadership in strategic direction, and accountability for reporting.

Skills:

• Management of people.
• Strategic planning.

Attributes:

• Strategic thinking.
• Problem solving.

Knowledge:

• Research, planning, resources implementation and evaluation.
• Business acumen.

Additional Information

Travel will be required.

Why join us?

You will be part of a pioneering organisation driving innovation in agri-tech, whilst working in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. There is opportunity to grow and develop within a newly established organisation, plus a range of benefits including:

• 33 days of annual leave with flexible public holidays allocation
• Flexible working hours
• 4x salary life assurance
• EAP with 24/7 helpline and expert advice service (legal, finance, health)
• Pension salary sacrifice scheme availability
• Fees for professional memberships
• Ongoing training and development

If you are ready for a role that truly makes an impact - join us and be part of something meaningful. We’d love to hear from you!