The Head of Corporate Communications, Brand and External Engagement provides strategic leadership for the College’s corporate reputation, institutional voice and external narrative, playing a critical role in delivering the Kelvin Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and the External Engagement Strategy 2026–2030.
The postholder will shape how Glasgow Kelvin College is positioned, perceived and trusted—locally, regionally and nationally—ensuring that communications, marketing and engagement actively supports inclusive growth, skills development, sustainability, digital transformation and partnership impact.
Strategic Context
This role is a key strategic enabler across all four Kelvin 2030 ambitions.
- Our Students: promoting inclusive access, aspiration and success
- Our People: supporting values‑led culture, clarity and engagement
- Our Partners: strengthening influence, employer confidence and alignment to economic priorities
- Our Place: positioning the College as a regional anchor institution for inclusive growth and community impact
It also provides leadership for the Friends of Kelvin programme, a flagship institutional initiative supporting reputation, relationships, opportunity and income diversification.
The postholder will:
- Champion Kelvin’s TIME values and inclusive ethos across all communications and engagement activity.
- Provide professional leadership to communications and marketing staff and external partners.
- Build strong internal partnerships to enable whole‑College alignment around strategy and narrative.
- Operate with high levels of professional judgement, discretion and autonomy.
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Educated to degree level (SCQF Level 9) or equivalent professional experience in communications, journalism, public affairs or a related discipline.
- Evidence of sustained Continuing Professional Development, particularly in areas such as strategic communications, leadership, reputation management, media relations, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement.
- The Scottish Education landscape, including policy, funding, governance and accountability arrangements.
- Scottish Government priorities, regional economic strategy and the wider public policy environment impacting skills, education, inclusive growth and sustainability.
- The Greater Glasgow economic, social and community profile, including regional labour market and skills priorities.
- The role of colleges as anchor institutions, contributing to place‑based growth, community wellbeing and economic transformation.
- Corporate reputation management, public affairs and media environments, including emerging risks, opportunities and public discourse.
- The drivers for change within the education and public sector landscape, including skills reform, digital transformation, sustainability, equity and inclusion.
- Proven strategic leadership capability, with the ability to shape institutional narrative, influence senior decision‑making and deliver complex, high‑impact outcomes.
- Advanced skills in corporate communications, media relations, public affairs and reputation management, including crisis communications.
- Strong political awareness, judgement and diplomacy, with the ability to manage sensitive, high‑profile and reputational issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce and oversee high‑quality editorial content, briefings and executive communications.
- Ability to build and sustain trusted, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders, partners, employers, communities, media and public bodies.
- Strong analytical and insight‑driven approach, using data, intelligence and feedback to inform strategy and measure impact.
- Ability to lead innovation, continuous improvement and change within a complex organisational environment.
- Financial and commercial awareness, including oversight of budgets, contracts and external suppliers.
- Relevant senior‑level experience in communications, brand, media, journalism, public affairs or stakeholder engagement, ideally within a public sector, education or similarly complex environment.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and delivering:
o Corporate communications and reputation strategy
o Media relations, public affairs and issues management
o Brand development and strategic positioning
o Multi‑channel, digital‑first communications and campaigns
o Experience of working closely with senior leaders, governance bodies, providing professional advice and insight.
o Experience of managing external relationships, including media outlets, agencies, public affairs advisers or strategic partners.
o Proven track record of leading and developing teams and/or commissioning and managing specialist external support.
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Experience of contributing to organisational objectives such as influence, engagement, income diversification or partnership development is desirable.
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Hours of Work | 35 hours per week Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm, core hours 9.00am to 5.00pm
- Office Location TBC Hybrid working in place, minimum 3 days on campus.
- Pension You are encouraged to join (or remain) with the Local Government Pension Scheme. The College is a member of the Strathclyde Pension Scheme. The Scheme changed from a final salary scheme to a career average scheme on 1 April 2015. You will automatically join the Scheme, if you wish to opt out you should contact the Senior Payroll Officer.
- Annual Leave and Public Holiday 33 days (inclusive of 12 days fixed public holiday) Two-week closure over the festive period supported by 6 days leave from the 45 days entitlement.
About Glasgow Kelvin College: Glasgow Kelvin College seeks to provide learning opportunities of the highest quality, which engages learners from the widest range of backgrounds, and supports their progression to employment or to further study. We play a vital role in providing accessible vocational and core-skills learning and you will have the opportunity help us create progression opportunities for learners and makes a positive impact on the communities we serve.
We deliver high-quality programmes, from introductory to degree level, to around 15,000 students each year from three campus buildings in the North and Northeast of Glasgow and through a large network of community-based centres. The College works with partners to create inclusive progression opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable environment for our learners.
Roles within the College are subject to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme and as such the successful candidate(s) will be required to make an application for membership under the Scheme.
At Glasgow Kelvin College, we are committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diverse society we serve. We believe that our strength lies in our differences, and we actively seek to attract talent from a wide range of backgrounds. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
We are dedicated to being an employer of choice by prioritising diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Our inclusive policies and practices ensure that every team member experiences a strong sense of belonging and can thrive both personally and professionally. We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee to interview applicants who meet the essential job requirements.
Join us at Glasgow Kelvin College and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion. Your unique perspective and experiences are not just welcomed—they are essential to our collective success. To find out more about how we do this visit: Equality, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging - Glasgow Kelvin College
