The Post
This is an exciting role for an experienced, strategic Brand and Campaigns Manager to join a busy, innovative and fast-paced team. The Brand and Campaigns Manager is a key leadership post in the Directorate of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment (CMR), supporting the Director of Marketing to develop and deliver marketing strategy in support of the University’s ambitious Strategic Plan. The postholder will have a specific focus on brand profile and delivering integrated, global campaigns in support of student recruitment.
The Brand and Campaigns Manager will demonstrate strong, leadership skills and outstanding interpersonal and negotiation skills. They will focus on delivering an integrated marketing strategy which covers the full marketing mix and will be responsible for developing and managing brand and student recruitment campaigns to support undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment in priority markets, nationally and internationally. The post-holder will be customer-centric and experienced in using data and insight to inform strategy. The successful candidate will be an ambitious, proactive marketing professional, with extensive experience of brand management and implementation, advertising and digital media buying and budget management. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong project management experience, and an exceptional level of attention to detail are critical.
This role will be based at the University of Stirling Campus. The University offers an agile working framework with the opportunity to work from home based on the needs of the business.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Description of Duties
Campaigns and marketing
- Oversee media strategy in support of our undergraduate and postgraduate integrated global paid media campaigns in priority recruitment markets
- Ensure campaigns are insight and data led, audience-focused and aligned to recruitment and conversion objectives
- Provide expert support and guidance, across the full range of marketing functions including advertising; paid-media; digital communications; marketing-communications; publications; events and exhibitions
- Support Alumni and Fundraising team to develop campaigns aligned to strategic priorities
- Provide advice and draft strategic papers and briefing notes for senior management, and/or University committees, on a range of marketing-related activity which will contribute to discussion and decision-making around policy related initiatives
- Lead campaign related events activity (on-campus, off-campus and international)
Brand Management
- Lead and act as guardian of the University Brand
- Develop, promote and enhance the brand and visual identity by ensuring the implementation of branded campaigns, raising the University’s profile nationally and internationally
- Lead on the delivery of brand related activities retaining the prominence and positioning of Sport
- Develop key brand messages to bring clarity and consistency to all marketing communication
- Develop, implement and maintain sustainable brand guidelines and a marketing toolkit ensuring campaign compliance and consistency is sustained across all internal and external stakeholders including international partners
- Oversee the application of the brand across digital, print, content, publications and the physical environment
- Oversee the development of impactful content, publications and campaign assets
Student recruitment and student experience
- Develop integrated global recruitment campaigns including budget management, campaign planning, execution (across the marketing mix) and measurement
- Plan, manage and prepare a range of marketing materials (both online and offline)– including commissioning photography and film, co-ordinating rich-media content and preparing agency briefs
- Support the creation and production of exhibition equipment and materials for use at internal and external events in priority markets and on virtual event platforms
- Support the graduation experience by delivering brand led assets including video, programme, and branded materials
Digital marketing and content
- Work closely with the Digital and Content team to deliver an organic content strategy
- Develop and implement content in support of global media campaigns that promote the brand, generate awareness and capture leads in key priority markets
- Responsible for the digital asset library including photography
People and budgets
- Lead a team of five, setting clear direction, expectations and performance standards.
- Provide coaching and build a high performing, accountable team with strong delivery discipline
- Responsibility for financial planning and management of a media and brand budget – forecasting and return on investment
- Procure and manage relationships with external creative, media, print and digital agencies
- Provide expert advice to stakeholders to maintain brand integrity, and support corporate brand led activities aligned to the strategy
- Manage competing demands while maintaining focus on strategic priorities
Essential Criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant Brand/Marketing Management experience and a track record of achievement in a senior marketing role
- Significant experience leading brand and campaign functions within complex organisations
- Proven experience of delivering global, multi-channel campaigns, including ownership of media strategy and planning
- Highly motivated, customer centric and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with competing demands
- Experience of using data and marketing insight to develop strategy
- Significant experience of leading, motivating and managing teams along with the confidence to manage complexity and challenging situations and behaviours
- Creative flair with experience of brand, campaign and print management
- Demonstrate extensive experience in significant budgets, with accountability, planning, forecasting and optimisation
- Highly developed skills in a wide range of strategic and operational marketing activities including copywriting; editing; proof-reading; identifying research opportunities; advertising and campaign planning and brand management
- Significant experience working across multiple digital marketing platforms
- Self-motivated with a methodical approach to planning and organising and the ability to manage multiple demands and deliver to tight deadlines
- Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and influencing skills
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of the Higher Education sector
Additional Information
Full time
Open ended
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 20 September 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 09 October 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2494.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Communications, Marketing and Recruitment encompasses: Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Internal and Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Web and Digital Media, International, UK and European Student Recruitment, Admissions and Access, Fundraising, Alumni Relations, Internationalisation and Partnerships, and the University Art Collection.
In delivering the strategic priorities of the University, we support the enhancement of the University’s reputation for excellence in the student experience, teaching and learning, and high-quality research with global impact.
The Directorate provides a wide range of services to internal and external stakeholders and works closely with the University’s senior management team and across all faculties and professional support services. By adopting an integrated holistic approach to our work, we ensure the University’s strategic messages are effectively conveyed and understood by our stakeholders across all communications platforms.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Job Reference: SERV02103
