Epsom College - Head of Marketing and Communications

Welcome

Epsom College is an inspiring place to work, renowned for delivering an excellent all-round education to 1,100 girls and boys aged 11-18. We are proud to have been judged ‘Independent School of the Year 2023’ and named by The Sunday Times as the “UK’s Most Improved School” in its 2024 Parent Power league tables.

The College has grown significantly in the past seven years, with pupil numbers rising 40% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and strong growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, and each year around 220 new children join our community, with an average of five pupils applying for every space.

Epsom is a happy school. The College values of kindness, ambition and integrity are at heart of all that we do. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a sense of community and togetherness.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement.

We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic team at Epsom College.

About Epsom

The College

The College has grown significantly in the past seven years, with pupil numbers rising 40% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, and each year around 220 new children join our community, with an average of five pupils applying for every space.

Epsom is a happy school. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a real sense of community and togetherness.

From 8am until 6pm, our 72-acre campus is alive with learning; academic lessons also take place on Saturday mornings meaning that pupils have time each day to learn and develop outside the classroom. Our co-curricular programme – which features a vast array of clubs, societies and activities each week – is award-winning (picking up the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade from The Week for six consecutive years); our CCF is one of the largest in the UK; and our Duke of Edinburgh programme currently has over 100 pupils completing their Gold or Silver award.

In addition, our timetable features wellbeing lessons, an award-winning Personal Social Development offering, and an hour each week for volunteering in the community. Last year Epsom pupils gave 9,830 hours of their time to help local charities, schools, and community groups.

When pupils aren’t busy with all of the above, they can relax and catch up with friends in their House. We have 13 single-sex Houses for all our pupils from Year 9 upwards (whether they are day pupils or boarders). This combination of single sex accommodation within a co-ed environment gives us the best of both worlds.

The fact our houses are physical buildings, where pupils can step through the door into a space that’s entirely their own, is key to the success of our pastoral programme. This was part of the reason why Epsom was named Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing (2022-23).

Sport is central to the College. We have been named the top co-ed school for sport in south east England, and compete in county and national finals in all our major sports across all age groups. Over 22 sports are offered to our pupils, and the aim is to encourage participation for all – we regularly field D and E teams, and see an average of 90% of pupils playing competitive fixtures.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education, that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement. We were voted the overall winner at the Independent School of the Year awards (2022-23), and the Sunday Times’ most improved school in the UK for 2024.

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A great place to work

One of the happiest places to live in Surrey, surrounded by open space, a beautiful campus and supportive colleagues. Epsom College is the Independent School of the Year, and a great place to work.

We are:

The second happiest place to live in Surrey – according to the ONS (2021)
The seventh happiest place to live in the UK – according to Rightmove (2017)
Independent School of the Year: Student Wellbeing (2022)
One of the UK’s leading Independent Schools and one of only four UK boarding schools to win Gold from the Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools, for the wellbeing of our staff and pupils.

Our location:

60% of staff live on-site, creating a warm welcoming community.
Two train stations walking distance from the College, with trains to Victoria and Waterloo.
Only 15 miles from Central London, 30 minutes from Gatwick and 45 minutes to Heathrow.
Nestled on the edge of the Surrey Downs, and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Epsom College itself is situated within a 72-acre Victorian estate
The perfect marriage of proximity to the capital, and access to the countryside.

The role

Head of Marketing and Communications (AQ3127)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to: Director of Marketing and Communications (SLT)
Responsible to: The Head
Line Manage: Digital Content and Social Media Manager, and Marketing & Admissions Assistant

The Role

The Head of Marketing & Communications will be responsible for delivering the school’s strategic marketing and communications activities across all departments, working to enhance the College’s visibility both locally and internationally. The ideal candidate will be an experienced and visionary marketing professional, with a strong understanding of the independent school sector and an ability to draw on the best marketing practices from a range of sectors.

The post-holder will have both operational and strategic responsibilities. They will work closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Admissions team, driving pupil recruitment and managing the school’s brand identity. They will also support the College’s commercial activities – including international school and commercial lettings and events.

Key Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direction of the Director of Marketing and Communications, and the Director of Admissions (where relevant) the post-holder will:

Help to develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing and communications strategy aligned to the school’s values, vision, and growth ambitions.
Provide oversight, line management and support to the Digital Content and Social Media Officer, and to the Marketing & Admissions Assistant, who runs the College’s Prep School events programme.
Be responsible for developing a PR and Comms strategy and building relationships with key journalists and influencers. The aim is for the College to become a regular contributor to the media and a thought leader, with the aim of becoming a voice of authority in education.
Collaborate with the Director of Marketing & Communications and the Director of Admissions to create and execute pupil recruitment strategies, in line with the College’s development plan.
Regularly analyse market trends and demographic shifts to ensure the school remains competitive and responsive to opportunities and risks.
Lead efforts in branding, ensuring consistent and high-quality messaging across all platforms and media, both within the UK and overseas markets.
Serve as the school’s brand ambassador, fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, including parents, alumni, and the media.
Be responsible for external comms to prospective and current parents, including the College’s weekly newsletters and school notices.

Marketing & Communications Management

Oversee the production of all marketing collateral, including the school’s prospectus, newsletters, and other promotional materials. Ensure they meet the school’s standards for quality and consistency.

Manage digital marketing activities, including SEO and website management, ensuring the website is updated regularly and accurately reflects the school’s ethos and offerings. The post-holder will also work with the Digital Content & Social Media manager to ensure that social media activity is in line with the College brand and complements all other digital and offline marketing and communications.
Lead the development and implementation of public relations strategies to enhance the school’s media profile and reputation
Utilise analytics to track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, including online engagement metrics, and optimise strategies to achieve the best return on investment.

Team Leadership & Development

Manage a small team including a Marketing & Admissions Assistant and Digital Content and Social Media Officer, fostering a friendly, supportive, collaborative, and creative environment.

Ensure effective communication between marketing, admissions, commercial and development teams to ensure all marketing activities align with the College’s brand and its recruitment and retention goals.

Events Management

Support the Director of Admissions and the Director of Marketing and Communications in the planning and execution of key school events such as Open Days, College Tours, and other promotional activities aimed at strengthening relationships with prospective and current families.

Coordinate with various departments to ensure events reflect the school’s values and enhance its reputation.

Budget & Reporting

Prepare reports for the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Senior Leadership Team and Governors on the performance of marketing and comms activities, providing recommendations for continuous improvement.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

No job description can fully cover all aspects of the role and consequently the responsibilities are likely to evolve and change over time. This description gives an overall view of the position.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Educated to degree level in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
Proven track record in a senior marketing and communications role, ideally within the education sector.
Experience developing and implementing marketing strategies that deliver measurable results.
Good leadership and people management skills, with experience in managing a small team.
Outstanding copywriting skills and a discerning creative judgment across both print and digital communications and publications.

Desirable Qualifications

CIM or equivalent professional marketing qualification.
Experience working in independent schools, with a deep understanding of pupil recruitment, including in international markets.

Skills & Attributes

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
A strategic thinker who can also execute day-to-day marketing operations effectively.
Excellent understanding of digital marketing channels, including social media, SEO, and CRM systems.
Creative, dynamic, and capable of inspiring a team.
An appreciation of safeguarding protocols within a school environment

The selection panel reserves the right to enhance any or all of the desirable criteria to attain a manageable field.

In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance any or all of the desirable criteria.

Apply now

Terms of appointment

Hours: This is a full-time role working throughout the year. The minimum hours per week will be 40, with such additional hours as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role. Normal office hours are based around the school day of 8am to 6pm. In addition, the Head of Marketing and Communications will be required to lead on some events/meetings during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends.

Holidays: The holiday entitlement is 33 days paid holiday per annum inclusive bank holidays. Additional discretionary days are offered by the Bursar during the Christmas and New Year period.

Pension: The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust. The College will pay a contribution rate equating to a total of 7% of salary and the employee contribution is 5%. There is the option to increase the employee contribution by way of AVCs.

Employee Benefits include:

Life Assurance: Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary at no cost to the employee.
School Fee Discount: Generous school fee discount available subject to qualifying conditions.
Private Health Plan: Offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions.
Employee assistance programme: This including free counselling service to employees and close family.
Dining Facilities and Refreshments: Whilst at work a free meal and refreshments are available when the dining room is open.
Health Fitness and Wellbeing: Free use of Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff at certain times.
Cycle to Work: The College offers an interest free cycle to work loan subject to a qualifying conditions.
Parking: Free car parking for staff is available on campus;
Computer Loan: The College offers an interest free computer loan subject to a qualifying conditions.

Offer of Post:

In compliance with safer recruitment regulations, the post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as part of the selection process a criminal check by the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required. Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

How to apply

The College has appointed recruitment specialist Anderson Quigley to support this appointment.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 26^th February 2025
First stage interview date: w/c 10^th March 2025
Final interview: w/c 17^th March 2025

Applications should consist of:

Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement (of no more than 1,000 words) outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete the College application form online with safer recruitment practices.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Melanie Pye at melanie.pye@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7743 927786.

The College is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting gender equality & Race Equality Charter.

Appointment of the Head of Marketing and Communications