Forest of Dean Trust
Communications and Engagement Manager
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Salary: Salary band 15 of £30,024, 0.87 FTE equating to a salary of £26,121 per annum
Contract: Term time only, fixed term contract to 31st August 2027
Reporting to: CEO
Hours/Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
A strategic Trust role that strengthens communication, recruitment, community engagement and organisational reputation while supporting schools to tell their unique stories more effectively.
YEAR ONE AIMS
To lead the development and delivery of marketing (both B2C and B2B), communications, brand management and stakeholder engagement activities across the Forest of Dean Trust and its schools. The role will support pupil recruitment, staff recruitment, community engagement, employer branding and Trust reputation through strategic marketing, content creation, digital communications and data-driven campaigns. Working closely with Trust leaders and school staff, the postholder will ensure a consistent and compelling brand presence that reflects the Trust's values and strategic objectives. As the role requires regular engagement with school communities, the successful candidate must be able to travel to and work within Trust schools on a regular basis.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Brand & Communications
- Create annual marketing plans supporting pupil recruitment, staff recruitment, retention, stakeholder engagement and Trust growth.
- Develop and deliver a Trust-wide marketing and communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities.
- Work alongside the CEO to produce clear campaigns to support wider engagement with our schools and support the community with key messages.
- Develop easy-to-use Brand Guidelines for Trust and its schools.
- Manage and strengthen the FODT brand across all schools, ensuring consistency across websites, publications, social media, events and communications.
- Support individual schools in developing marketing materials aligned to the wider Trust identity (including prospectuses, admissions materials, newsletters, and digital resources).
- Lead internal communications activity, ensuring staff are informed, engaged and connected to Trust priorities and achievements.
- Draft press releases alongside school leaders and manage relationships with local media.
- Ensure all marketing and technology use complies with safeguarding, GDPR and Trust policies.
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Digital Marketing, Content & Recruitment
- Develop and manage digital content and communications calendars, monitoring performance. Plan and deliver pupil recruitment campaigns, including admissions marketing, prospectuses, open day promotion.
- Develop and implement employer branding campaigns, positioning the Trust as an employer of choice within the education sector, to attract high-quality teaching and support staff.
- Lead social media marketing across relevant platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, creating audience-specific content that engages parents, prospective families, employees, community stakeholders and partners. Work with school leaders to ensure regular flow of content and provide guidance for staff.
- Manage email marketing activity, including stakeholder newsletters, event promotion and parent engagement campaigns.
- Oversee website content and digital marketing activity (including digital advertising, where appropriate), applying SEO best practice and monitoring performance through analytics and reporting tools.
- Create high-quality, engaging content including:
- Photography
- Video
- Case studies
- Parent testimonials
- Student success stories
- Staff profiles/stories
- News articles
- Campaign materials
- Develop and coordinate open day and event marketing strategies, supporting schools to maximise attendance, engagement and admissions outcomes.
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Partnerships, Engagement & Insight
- Monitor campaign performance, audience engagement and recruitment metrics, using data and insights to continuously improve campaign effectiveness. Monitor enquiry, application and enrolment data to evaluate marketing effectiveness.
- Conduct stakeholder surveys, gather feedback and analyse results to provide insight and inform future marketing activity.
- Produce regular performance reports demonstrating marketing impact and return on investment.
- Explore and implement innovative marketing technologies, including AI tools, to improve efficiency, content development and audience engagement while ensuring compliance with safeguarding and GDPR requirements.
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