At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative marketing and recruitment strategies for the Black Country Fostering Hub.
- Company: Join Walsall Council, a leader in children's services with an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity to make a real difference, and professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving positive change for children and families.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fostering recruitment and support children in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic marketing and recruitment, with strong digital and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 54495 £ per year.
Walsall Council is looking for a confident, creative and results-driven Recruitment and Marketing Manager to lead the marketing, communications and recruitment strategy for the Black Country Fostering Hub. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new regional approach to foster carer recruitment, using digital innovation, community insight and data-led campaigns to increase the number, diversity and retention of foster carers.
Working across Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley, you will position the Hub as a trusted and recognisable regional fostering brand. You will lead a multi-disciplinary marketing and recruitment team, driving targeted campaigns, strengthening digital engagement and improving the experience of prospective foster carers from their first enquiry through to the early stages of their fostering journey.
About The Role
This is not a traditional marketing role. You will be joining the Hub at a formative stage and will have the opportunity to design new approaches, test what works, and use evidence to continuously improve how we attract, engage and support prospective foster carers. Your work will directly contribute to improving placement sufficiency, reducing reliance on external placements and helping more children live safely within their local communities.
You will lead the development and delivery of a regional fostering marketing and communications strategy, using audience segmentation, campaign analytics, CRM, automation, social media, community engagement and performance intelligence to deliver measurable impact. You will work closely with operational colleagues to ensure marketing activity is fully aligned with recruitment capacity, applicant experience and the wider ambition of the Hub.
What You Will Bring
- Significant experience of leading strategic marketing, communications or recruitment campaigns that deliver measurable outcomes.
- A strong digital-first mindset, with the ability to use data, insight and analytics to improve reach, engagement, conversion and return on investment.
- Creativity, curiosity and confidence to test new ideas, challenge traditional approaches and remove barriers to fostering recruitment.
- Experience of leading teams, managing workloads and developing high-performing people across digital, community and recruitment activity.
- Strong influencing and partnership skills, with the ability to work across local authorities, senior leaders, community networks and external suppliers.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring campaigns reach underrepresented communities and reflect the authentic voice of foster carers, children and young people.
Why join us?
The Black Country Fostering Hub is a new and ambitious regional partnership, led by Walsall Council with Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley as key partners. It brings together local knowledge, regional collaboration and innovative practice to improve the way we recruit and support foster carers. This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of that change, leading a high-profile function where marketing is recognised as a strategic driver of better outcomes for children.
If you are ready to use your marketing expertise to build something new, influence regional change and help more children grow up in safe, stable and loving foster families, we would welcome your application.
Closing Date: Wednesday 26th August 2026
This post is covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to any time they were overseas.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them.
Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information. We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
Walsall Council's Children’s Services are the only Ofsted 'Outstanding' local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.
Recruitment & Marketing Manager Black Country Fostering Hub - Ref: CH05126 in Walsall employer: WMJobs
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to make a tangible impact in the public sector. With a strong focus on professional development and growth opportunities, WMCA supports its staff in navigating the complexities of local governance while fostering a dynamic environment that values innovation and adaptability. Located in the heart of the West Midlands, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to a range of resources aimed at enhancing their career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recruitment & Marketing Manager Black Country Fostering Hub - Ref: CH05126 in Walsall
✨Dive into Local Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Recruitment & Marketing Manager Black Country Fostering Hub - Ref: CH05126 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at WMJobs from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at WMJobs specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at WMJobs, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
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We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show WMJobs you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
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Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure WMJobs that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
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Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for WMJobs, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
