School Marketing & Communications Manager

at  English College

DESCRIPTION

ISP School Marketing & Communications Manager Role Profile
Purpose of Role
Moved by curiosity and empowered by self-confidence, students from ISP Schools thrive throughout theirlifetime.
International Schools Partnership (ISP) is a global community of 82 international schools across 22 countries. We champion a transformative approach to learning that goes beyond the classroom. By igniting our students’ curiosity and growing their self-confidence, we empower them to become the next generation of changemakers.
As Marketing & Communications Manager for the school, you will work in close partnership with the regional ISP Marketing Team, the schools Principal and the schools admissions team to drive demand for our school in a way that builds positive memorability as well as qualified leads. The post holder will grow the schools outstanding reputation by positioning the school as parents first school of choice, ensuring community awareness within catchment areas.
The ideal candidate has experience in developing and executing marketing campaigns across both online and offline touchpoints in the private education sector, while managing expectations across a number of internal and external stakeholders. The candidate should be equally proficient with day-to-day marketing operations, creative content development (written and visual), and strive under tight deadlines to meet the company’s changing needs.
Location: Dubai

In coordination with stakeholders:

• School Leadership Team
• School Admissions Team
• Regional Marketing Team (ISP Middle East)
• Third Party Vendors

Reporting Line: School Principal (dotted line to Regional Marketing Lead)
ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP School Marketing & Communications Manager Key Responsibilities

• School-level marketing strategy & planning (in partnership with regional marketing team & school LT)

Develop the annual marketing plan designed for enrolment growth and retention

Ensure this plan is on track throughout the year and proactively communicate to key stakeholders when there are risks, providing ideas for mitigating those risks.

• Brand management (in partnership with regional marketing team & school LT)

Craft and refine the brand messages and unique selling points for the school
Ensure brand and key messages are consistently communicated across all marketing communications

Act as brand guardian across the school to ensure teachers and staff also convey same messaging.

• Content marketing (in partnership with Regional Marketing Team and Admissions team)

Plan the overall content calendar for the school
Look for stories happening within the school that demonstrate the key messaging and brand values; capture these moments through photography & videography to use in marketing content

Develop the marketing content (design via Canva plus write the copy), review it for accuracy, arrange signoff, get it published/promoted across the relevant touch points

• School Website:

Ensure all content on the website is up to date and current, and that all pages and features function properly
Plan & execute new content for the website, taking into consideration the schools marketing strategy and plan

Take a proactive approach in identifying ways to improve the school website and landing ages, working with the regional marketing team for improvements

• Social Media Marketing & Community Management:

Proactively manage and lead the Schools presence on the main social media platforms
Create engagingcontent (text,imageand video)to be posted on Social Media platforms in order topromote school stories, promises and narratives
Develop an optimal posting calendar, considering marketing strategy, web traffic and customer engagement metrics
Continuously monitor comments and messages, promptly responding as per community management guidelines

Report on performance with recommendations for improvement

• Email/CRM (in partnership with Admissions & Regional Marketing Team)

Plan, design, review and dispatch emails to prospective parents

Review performance of emails to be sure they are well received & report to school LT

• Events: Promote & deliver events to recruit new parents or retain existing ones
• Internal comms & PR: Support on an as-need basis, in partnership with Regional Marketing Team and school LT.
• Offline marketing collateral planning: Environmental branding, OOH placements, giveaways, etc
• Budget management: Ensure we are on track with planned marketing spend through ongoing budget tacking and reconciliation.
• Word Of Mouth marketing:

Gather positive stories & testimonials; Promoting the key stories
Google reviews planning, execution, management of Negative/Positive comments
Other Responsibilities: Flexibility on duties performed in this role is required in order to play to the strengths of the post holder and the needs of the school.
Working Days:Monday-Friday.May occasionally be required to attend or participate in events during the weekend and/or after working hours
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
Desirable
A minimum of 3 years proven experience of working in communications and marketing at an operational and managerial level
Yes
Evidence of continuous professional development
Yes
Educated to degree level
Yes
Experience of a school based environment
Yes
A creative, tenacious, self-motivated individual who thrives under pressure and has a strong design aesthetic
Yes
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills including copywriting, editing and proofreading
Yes
Advanced knowledge of social media and digital uency
Yes
Knowledge and experience of CMS for website management
Yes
Experience of managing and developing social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube
Yes
Experience of online marketing and measurement tools
Yes
Experience of 360 degree marketing management with a omni-channel approach
Yes
Experience of content capture (photo & video), graphic design, photo editing and retouching and operational knowledge of Canva, In Design, Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop
Yes
Excellent planning and organisation skills to meet deadlines and manage a variety of tasks
Yes
Ability to work autonomously and exibly
Yes
Commercially aware with excellent business acumen
Yes
Excellent attention to detail and an eye for creative marketing and content creation opportunities
Yes
Inuencing and negotiation skills
Yes
Cooperative and supportive team player
Yes
Strong work ethic and courteous and professional demeanour
Yes
Drive and commitment that inspires others
Yes
High standards of dress, punctuality and attendance
Yes
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.

• School-level marketing strategy & planning (in partnership with regional marketing team & school LT