Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Engagement
Shape our voice. Strengthen our influence. Lead our transformation.
The University of Manchester is seeking an exceptional communications, marketing and engagement leader to help shape our next chapter.
Our Manchester 2035 strategy, From Manchester for the World, sets a bold direction for the University. This is an opportunity to bring our ambitions to life: strengthening our reputation, connecting with audiences in new ways and ensuring that our research, education, innovation and contribution to society are understood and recognised around the world.
The opportunity
Working in close partnership with the President and Vice-Chancellor and senior leaders across the University, you will be our senior professional adviser on communications, engagement and reputation. You will bring external perspective, audience insight and sound judgement to important decisions, helping the University anticipate opportunities, navigate complex issues and build influence.
Your portfolio will bring together internal and external communications, student and University marketing, media relations, public affairs, brand, campaigns, social media and creative services. You will develop an integrated approach that strengthens our distinctive identity, attracts outstanding students and colleagues, and builds meaningful relationships with our communities and partners.
A central priority will be transforming the directorate. You will shape its structure, capabilities and ways of working, bringing colleagues through change and enabling central and local teams to deliver effectively together. Alongside this, you will champion the practical, responsible use of digital platforms, data, automation and AI to strengthen campaigns, improve audience engagement and modernise how we work.
About you
You will bring substantial senior leadership experience in communications, marketing, corporate or external affairs, reputation or a related discipline, with a track record of delivering strategies that have strengthened organisational profile and engagement.
You will have worked with chief executives, boards or senior leadership teams as a trusted adviser and will be confident operating in complex, highly scrutinised environments. An outstanding communicator and relationship builder, you will know how to secure support across organisational boundaries and turn shared ambition into delivery.
We are looking for an inclusive, collaborative leader with experience of transforming multidisciplinary functions, developing talented teams and building new capabilities. Technologically confident, you will bring evidence of successful digital and social media campaigns and an informed understanding of how emerging technologies can deliver measurable impact.
Your experience may come from higher education or another complex, knowledge-intensive or internationally focused organisation. Higher education experience is welcome but is not essential.
Why Manchester?
You will have an extraordinary foundation to build on: research and academic expertise that changes lives, a globally recognised name, deep connections to our city and region, and a diverse international community.
For a leader with ambition, creativity and a commitment to public purpose, this is an opportunity to shape how the University connects with the world and to make a lasting contribution to its future.
Find out more
Please see the link to the candidate brochure and job description, attached below, for further information about the role and selection criteria.
For informal enquiries or to arrange an exploratory conversation with Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, or Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, please contact Vicky Roth at talent.attraction@manchester.ac.uk.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact talent.attraction@manchester.ac.uk so that we can discuss how best to support you.
For technical support please call 0161 850 2004 or visit https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
