Head of Marketing and Communications

Head of Marketing & Communications
St Swithun’s School
Competitive Package

St Swithun’s is a flourishing independent girls’ school set in 45 acres of rural Hampshire within easy walking distance of Winchester city centre, yet only 50 minutes by train from London. It has a co-ed preschool, educates girls aged from 4-11 in its prep school, and offers day, weekly and full boarding options for girls aged 11-18 in the senior school. With kindness and compassion at the heart of its community, and a long-standing reputation for academic rigour and success, St Swithun’s provides a caring environment which prepares girls for the real world. By the time they leave they are courageous, compassionate, committed and self-confident with a love of learning, a moral compass and a sense of humour.

St Swithun’s seeks to appoint an ambitious, creative and strategic Head of Marketing & Communications. Reporting to the Headmistress of the Senior School, and a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the postholder will provide inspiring leadership of the marketing activities across both the Prep and Senior schools. This role is crucial in supporting the delivery of the St Swithun’s overarching strategic goals, strengthening the School’s brand, increasing its local and overseas reach, and realising student recruitment and retention targets. Working closely with the other SMT members and leading a team of three, the Head of Marketing & Communications will seek to deliver a highly effective customer experience, which exceeds parent expectations.

This varied and fast paced role will be suited to a dynamic and experienced marketing professional who can demonstrate effective leadership skills, together with an extensive marketing, communications or a marketing-led sales background ideally featuring an international aspect. Prior experience of working in a school is not essential but the successful candidate will have empathy for independent education in general as well as with the St Swithun’s all-girls ethos, combined with an instinctive feel for the School’s customers and their needs.

The successful candidate will be an articulate, persuasive and credible ambassador for the School and will possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills. A highly analytical marketing professional who is ready to hit the ground running and able to drive student recruitment at all levels, including nursery, prep, senior and sixth form, would thrive in this role. Knowledge of the most effective marketing techniques and tools to help St Swithun’s achieve its objectives will be essential.

This has the potential to be a challenging, rewarding and truly ‘mission critical’ role for the School and its future. If you feel you have the experience and energy to take up this exceptional opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

The School offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including generous pension, 30 days’ annual leave and fee remission for eligible children.

For full details on this outstanding opportunity, please visit www.minervasearch.com/stswithuns. To apply, please send a CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@stswithuns.com by no later than 9:00am on Friday 14th October 2022. Please note, any candidates selected for interview will be required to complete an application form.
Safeguarding Statement
St Swithun’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
All staff are expected to share and support this commitment and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.