Requirements
Candidates must have experience in developing marketing or communications activities and possess strong digital competence. Essential qualifications include five GCSEs at Grade C or level four or equivalent experience.
Job Description
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and the Department
The Student Recruitment Marketing Team sits within the International Office and is responsible for delivering strategic marketing activity that supports student recruitment across the University. This role will primarily support Durham University Business School, helping to attract prospective students from the UK and around the world.
As a Marketing Officer, you will play an important role in the planning and delivery of a wide range of student recruitment marketing activities. Working closely with professional services colleagues, academic staff and external partners, you will help deliver effective marketing campaigns, engaging content and high-quality communications that support the Business School's student recruitment, brand profile, and strategic objectives.
The role offers a particular opportunity to shape and lead content and social media activity, alongside supporting undergraduate student recruitment marketing initiatives. It is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a varied role, is passionate about creating engaging content, and can build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
The Student Recruitment Marketing Team is a supportive, collaborative and empowering team that values creativity, initiative and continuous improvement. We are committed to helping colleagues develop professionally and creating an environment where people can contribute ideas, take ownership of their work and develop their careers.
The base location for this role is the new Waterside Building, located on the banks of the River Wear close to Durham city centre. Waterside is home to a number of professional services teams and provides a modern working environment that supports collaborative working. The role also offers the opportunity to work across other University locations based on business need, including Boldon House, the University’s new professional services hub. Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements are available in line with business needs and University policy.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
2. Experience of developing and delivering marketing, communications, student recruitment or related professional services activities.
3. Experience of supporting the planning and delivery of projects, campaigns, events or activities to agreed objectives and timescales.
4. Experience of creating, commissioning or managing marketing and communications content across a range of channels.*
5. Experience of collecting, analysing and using data or insights to inform marketing activity and evaluate performance.
6. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
9. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 and digital marketing or social media tools.
10. Committed to continuing professional development.
11. Ability to plan and organise activities involving the service and manage competing priorities effectively.
12. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Desirable Criteria
1. Experience of working collaboratively with academic colleagues, professional services staff, agencies, external partners and professional networks to deliver marketing activity, share good practice, and exchange information and insights.
2. An understanding of the higher education sector and/or student recruitment marketing.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
• A CV
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Adam Balfour, Senior Marketing Manager would be happy to speak to you. adam.r.balfour@durham.ac.uk
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery
· Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
· Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service provided and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
· Provide specialist advice and recommendations to support the effective delivery of student recruitment marketing activities and marketing communications.
· Use your experience, insight and analytical skills to identify opportunities to enhance marketing campaigns, digital content, social media activity and stakeholder engagement, making recommendations based on your findings.
· Manage, maintain and monitor designated marketing systems, digital platforms and communication channels to ensure they remain effective, secure and compliant.
· Provide a high-quality marketing support service to colleagues across Durham University Business School and the wider University, identifying opportunities to enhance marketing activity, audience engagement and operational effectiveness.
· Create, commission and manage marketing and communications content across a range of digital and offline channels.
· Act as operational lead for content planning and social media activity, helping to ensure content is engaging, audience-focused and aligned to strategic objectives.
· Collect and record data and information accurately.
· Organise and analyse marketing data, insights and performance metrics, ensuring accuracy and providing reports and recommendations to senior colleagues.
· Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.
Planning and Organising
· Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role.
· Plan, manage and deliver marketing projects, campaigns, events and activities in accordance with agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.
· Coordinate the contributions of colleagues, agencies, suppliers and other stakeholders involved in delivering marketing campaigns, content and related activity.
· Develop and maintain content and social media plans that support student recruitment, brand and strategic objectives.
· Seek feedback from prospective students, colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure marketing activity continues to meet audience needs and expectations.
· Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services, and provide related advice and guidance to other staff.
Communication/Liaison
· Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
· Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
· Build collaborative relationships with academic colleagues, professional services staff, agencies, suppliers and external partners to support the delivery of marketing activity.
· Work closely with colleagues across Durham University Business School and the wider University to ensure marketing activity is coordinated, effective and aligned to institutional priorities.
· Represent the Student Recruitment Marketing Team in relevant meetings, projects and working groups as required.
· Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.
Version 07-2026