Chief Marketing and Admissions Officer

About Oxford Business College

Since 1985, Oxford Business College (OBC) has spearheaded transformative education, carving a unique path for overlooked individuals, especially mature students facing barriers in traditional education. Operating seven days a week for our students, OBC's pioneering approach adapts to the diverse lifestyles & commitments of non-traditional learners. Across campuses in West London, Oxford, & Nottingham, OBC's ultra-flexible scheduling ensures inclusivity, reinforced by a robust digital infrastructure. Actively fostering a sense of belonging for students from all backgrounds, we provide comprehensive support services. Emphasising practical skills for employability through industry placements, OBC stands as a dynamic catalyst for change, reshaping higher education with an unwavering commitment to accessibility, flexibility, & inclusivity. With over 7500 students & 300 colleagues, join OBC in shaping the future of education & unlocking opportunities for a diverse range of students.

The role

The Chief Marketing and Admissions Officer is a crucial role in inspiring, educating, motivating, & supporting a diverse range of students to apply & study at OBC. Reporting directly to the Executive Principle, this position is based at the Head Office (Oxford) and/ or London. The role involves leading the development & coordination of the college’s outreach & widening participation strategy, establishing partnerships with key stakeholders, including the wider community. Ensuring the achievement of access targets set within the college’s access & participation plans is a key responsibility. Collaborating closely with the Head of Admissions, the role holder aligns strategies & plans for access & participation. Acting as the head of profession for outreach & widening participation staff across the college, the role ensures their professional development & establishes an appropriate framework for their devolvement. Additionally, the position leads & manages the student recruitment & associated marketing function. This involves developing & implementing innovative & cost-effective marketing strategies & campaigns to maximise the college’s potential in meeting recruitment targets.

Providing leadership & strategic development for the college’s liaison activity. This includes working with key stakeholders to support the delivery of activities, policies, & practices outlined in the college’s access & participation plan. Taking the lead in analysing market research & insight, the role informs the college’s recruitment strategy. It also involves leading the development & implementation of effective & sustainable recruitment partnerships while contributing to the management of the college's reputation with UK higher education agencies & other organizations.

The ideal candidate should be available during busy periods & weekends as needed, particularly during intake times.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Lead the development & implementation of comprehensive & cost-effective student recruitment marketing strategies for the UK market, aligning with college’s strategic vision & understanding UK market trends.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Admissions to ensure an integrated approach & cohesive student journey in matters relating to recruitment & admissions.
• Co-lead on all dimensions of student recruitment, formulating a delivery plan to increase & enhance the quality of student intake.
• Implement a highly targeted approach to student recruitment, utilising data, contextual factors, & research to understand & target segment preferences & behaviours.
• Lead & oversee the planning & implementation of integrated & cost-effective marketing communications strategies to achieve UK student recruitment targets. Monitor & report on return on investment for marketing initiatives.
• Lead & oversee the enhancement of the college’s CRM system for student recruitment, aiming for a positive impact on application & conversion rates.
• Leverage & enhance the college’s website, digital media, social media, & PR affairs for marketing & student recruitment purposes.
• Act as the lead advisor to the college’s strategic leadership on all marketing & recruitment matters.
• Lead the development & management of strategic recruitment partnerships between OBC & key stakeholders.
• Provide leadership in the design, implementation, & impact analysis of the college’s access & participation plan. Develop & oversee procedures for the appropriate capture of participant data, evaluating & reporting as required to demonstrate the impact of outreach activities to the Office for Students (OfS).
• Foster & develop sustainable relationships & partnerships with organisations & networks to extend the reach of OBC’s liaison programme.
• Lead, motivate, & manage the access participation & marketing team, overseeing recruitment & marketing activities, enquiries, conversion, applicant engagement, schools/ colleges liaison, partnerships, & student recruitment events. Embed a culture of measurement, continuous improvement, & service excellence within the team.
• Lead the development & implementation of institutional policies & regulatory frameworks.
• Contribute to the leadership of the AP & marketing unit by working closely with other unit heads to ensure team motivation, happiness, & achievement of the college’s objectives.
• Contribute to the development & implementation of the overarching AP, marketing, & communications strategic plan, including supporting plans such as the University’s Access & Participation Plan, within the context of agreed budget & operational efficiencies.
• Contribute to strategy & policy on a broad range of matters related to student recruitment & retention objectives, providing evidence-based advice to senior management on recruitment strategies, external factors, competitor activity, & policy impacts.
• Facilitate &/ or regulatory data returns, including to key regulatory/official bodies, supporting strategic planning & operational delivery.
• Attend & chair relevant committee(s) & report regularly to the relevant board.
• Keep up-to-date with changes in related legislation (i.e. CMA) & ensure confidentiality & integrity of all corporate information in accordance with the Data Protection Act & other relevant legislation.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Chief Marketing & Admissions Officer, Executive Principal, or Managing Director.

Person Specifications

TRAINING & EDUCATIONS

Essential

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field, or equivalent qualification or experience.

Desirable

• A postgraduate diploma/ degree in marketing, education, or a related field.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in developing & implementing marketing campaigns.
• Experience in enhancing the business’ website, digital media presence, & PR affairs.
• Experience in leading & delivering strategic & operational change.
• Experience in a leadership position, managing cross-organisational functions.
• Strong understanding of the Higher Education (HE) landscape in the UK, including comprehensive knowledge of relevant policies, regulations & compliance standards.

Desirable

• Hands-on experience of emerging technical & digital innovation (e.g. AI, marketing automation tools).
• Experience in using CRM systems.
• Experience of working in a similar role for another private HE establishment.

SKILLS & KNOWELDGE

Essential

• Knowledge of & experience in the widening participation agenda.
• Strong understanding of market research & data analysis.
• Strong relationship management skills, including the ability to engage, communicate & collaborate with academic & professional staff, students & external partners & regulators.
• Excellent planning skills, combined with proven analytical & problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal & written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly & effectively.
• Familiarity with external regulatory bodies such as the Office for Students (OfS), OIA, HESA (Jisc), etc.
• Proficiency in software applications & technology for marketing purposes.

Behavoural Skills

Essential

• Strong leadership qualities to effectively manage a team of professionals, including the ability to inspire & motivate.
• Capacity to adapt to changing circumstances & priorities in a fast-paced academic environment.
• High ethical standards & a commitment to maintaining the integrity of academic records & processes.
• Resilience & adaptability to manage the demands of a busy & challenging role.
• A role model for college’s core values, which underpin our vision, mission & strategy.

To Apply 

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button above