Director of Marketing
Full time
Starting ASAP
Executive Summary
Headington Rye Oxford is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, renowned for its academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care and exceptional co-curricular provision. Set within 35 acres on the outskirts of Oxford, the School is ambitious, forward-thinking and committed to continual innovation and development.
The School now seeks to appoint an exceptional and strategically minded Director of Marketing to lead and develop its marketing, communications and pupil recruitment strategy. This newly-created role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the position and support the Head and Governors in defining the School’s future direction.
The successful candidate will bring significant experience from a highly competitive, values-led organisation, with a proven track record of delivering impactful brand, marketing and recruitment strategies across multiple channels. They will understand how to position a premium school in a competitive market, using data-driven insight, compelling storytelling and innovative campaigns to strengthen engagement, reputation and growth.
As a member of the Senior Management Group, attending Executive meetings alongside the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Marketing will provide strategic leadership across marketing, communications, brand development and audience engagement. Leading a talented team of four marketing and communications professionals, the postholder will combine strategic vision with excellent operational delivery and inspiring leadership.
We are seeking an energetic, creative and commercially astute individual who can build on existing success while bringing fresh ideas, agility and strategic expertise to future opportunities and challenges. Working closely with the Head, Head of Prep and the wider Admissions Team, the Director of Marketing will further strengthen the School’s profile locally, nationally and internationally, ensuring Headington Rye continues to attract and retain pupils who will thrive within its community.
The role will also support the School’s forthcoming leadership transition, working closely with the new Head taking up post in September 2027. The successful candidate will help shape and communicate the next phase of the School’s strategic vision, ensuring continuity, momentum and sustained market leadership during this important period.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Headington Rye Oxford as the School continues to strengthen its ambitious development and recruitment plans and build on its reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent schools.
Marketing Department
The Marketing and Admissions teams are located together in Boundary Cottage on the Senior School site with an additional office located in the neighbouring Prep School site. The Marketing team consists of a Communications Manager, two Marketing Executives and a Digital Marketing Assistant. The department generates interest in the School through advertising, press, publications and social media and manages the website, PR, the Headington Rye Oxford brand, marketing events and communications.
The Marketing team works closely with the Admissions team to present a strong and welcoming image of the School to feeder schools and prospective families alike, running open events and entrance days and attending Future Schools Fairs both at home and abroad.
Role Description
The Director of Marketing is a full-time, permanent, all-year round position.
We are seeking an ambitious, creative and commercially minded Director of Marketing to lead and shape the School’s marketing, communications and pupil recruitment strategy.
Reporting directly to the Head, the successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening the School’s market position, enhancing brand visibility, and driving pupil recruitment and retention in an increasingly competitive independent education landscape.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic marketing leader with exceptional digital expertise, strong storytelling skills and a deep understanding of how data, AI and emerging technologies can transform audience engagement and recruitment performance.
The Director of Marketing will lead a talented marketing team and work closely with senior leaders across the School to deliver a dynamic, data-informed and future-focused marketing strategy.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership
- develop and deliver an ambitious whole-school marketing and pupil recruitment strategy aligned with the School Development Plan
- provide strategic leadership for all aspects of brand, marketing, communications and audience engagement
- contribute as a senior leader to the wider strategic direction of the School
- lead, motivate and develop the Marketing team, fostering creativity, accountability and high performance
Digital marketing and audience growth
- lead the School’s digital marketing strategy across website, search, social media, email and paid campaigns
- drive significant growth in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), digital visibility and online conversion performance
- develop innovative AI-enabled marketing approaches to improve audience targeting, content creation, analytics and recruitment effectiveness
- oversee the development of sophisticated social media strategies that strengthen engagement, reach and reputation across key audiences
- use analytics, market intelligence and audience insight to shape marketing decisions and optimise campaign performance
Brand and communications
- ensure a compelling and consistent brand identity and messaging across all platforms, websites and communications
- oversee the production of high-quality marketing content, publications, digital media and recruitment materials
- lead strategic communications that support pupil retention and strengthen relationships with current and prospective families
- maintain oversight of the school website and ensure content remains engaging, current and strategically aligned
Recruitment and External Relations
- identify and develop new recruitment markets and audience opportunities in the UK and internationally
- build strong relationships with feeder schools, agents and key external stakeholders
- represent the School professionally at events, fairs and networking opportunities
- monitor market trends and competitor activity to ensure the School remains innovative and competitive
Budget and performance management
- manage the departmental budget effectively and evaluate return on investment across marketing activity
- establish clear KPIs and provide regular reporting to the Head and Governors on marketing and admissions performance
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
- significant senior-level marketing experience, ideally within independent education, luxury brands, hospitality, higher education or another highly competitive customer-focused sector
- proven success in delivering measurable recruitment or customer acquisition growth through strategic marketing
- strong expertise in digital marketing, SEO, website optimisation, CRM systems, analytics and social media strategy
- experience of using AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance marketing effectiveness and audience engagement
- outstanding communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to create compelling messaging for diverse audiences
- strong commercial awareness combined with creativity, innovation and strategic thinking
- excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire teams and influence senior stakeholders
- a confident and credible ambassador with excellent relationship-building skills
- energy, resilience and adaptability, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and ambitious environment
- a genuine enthusiasm for single-sex education and the values of a leading school community
Personal attributes/skills
- strategic, forward-thinking and innovative
- digitally fluent and commercially aware
- creative, analytical and highly organised
- collaborative and emotionally intelligent
- confident, articulate and engaging
- passionate about delivering exceptional audience experiences
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Permanent, full time, all year round.
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
Salary
Salary will range from £70,000 to £75,000 dependent on skills and experience.
30 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays.
Additional Benefits
Free school lunches are provided. All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headingtonschool.com
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Application deadline: Monday 1st June 2026
Interviews: week commencing Monday 8th June 2026
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK. Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
