Marketing & Admissions Manager

Company DescriptionThe British International School Jeddah (BISJ) is a leading co-educational, not-for-profit international school offering an excellent educational experience for over 1,340 students aged 2 to 18. With a distinctive culture, strong reputation and commitment to excellence across a broad range of academic, artistic, sporting and cultural endeavours, our School is a dynamic and diverse community with many strengths. Join a school where students are supported to flourish and thrive. We provide an environment where students are empowered as lifelong learners with the skills, knowledge and attributes to excel.Role Description This is a key departmental leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction and operational oversight across all marketing, brand governance, internal/external communications, public relations, digital media, and admissions management, while ensuring that the School maintains strong student recruitment, retention, and brand alignment. The successful candidate will work closely with school leadership, academic departments, Finance, and Operations to strengthen BISJ’s brand positioning, deliver integrated marketing campaigns, and ensure an exceptional, high-quality admissions experience for prospective and existing families. You will lead, manage, and empower the internal Marketing, Communications, and Admissions team - including the Marketing Specialist, Digital Media Specialist, and Registrar, cultivating a culture of service excellence, collaborative delivery, and continuous improvement. Key ResponsibilitiesThe Marketing & Admissions Manager will:Department Leadership & Strategy: Lead and manage the Marketing, Communications and Admissions department; set strategic direction, workflows, priorities, and KPIs; manage departmental budgets; and line-manage the Marketing Specialist, Digital Media Specialist, and Registrar; Integrated Marketing & Brand Management: Develop and implement the annual Marketing & Communications Strategy and integrated campaigns; act as custodian of BISJ’s brand across all publications, digital platforms, and touchpoints; and produce strategic performance reports for school leadership; Admissions, Student Recruitment & Retention: Lead the Admissions function and student recruitment strategy across Early Years, Primary, Upper School, and Sixth Form; oversee the complete enquiry-to-enrolment journey; manage the annual Re-enrolment Campaign; and ensure full compliance with Saudi Ministry of Education (MoE) requirements and portal registrations; Communications, PR & Digital Strategy: Oversee internal and external communications, parent announcements, and corporate publications; manage external PR agencies and crisis communications support; and direct digital marketing, social media, content strategy, targeted advertising, and website performance; and Agencies, Assets & Community Engagement: Manage external marketing suppliers, creative graphic designers, and photographers; direct the production of school publications, brochures, and promotional materials; and oversee event marketing, partnerships, and sponsorships to build institutional visibility. Qualifications & ExperienceThe successful candidate will ideally have:A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Strategic Communications, Business Administration, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred); Minimum of 10 years’ significant experience in marketing and communications, including management and leadership responsibilities; Demonstrated experience in integrated marketing strategy, brand governance, digital marketing, corporate communications, admissions management, and CRM/customer journey management; Proven capability in managing multidisciplinary teams, external agencies, departmental budgets, and concurrent projects; Strong understanding of the international education market as well as Saudi Arabian educational, local cultural, and consumer nuances; Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic; and Strong analytical, organisational, stakeholder management, and reporting capabilities. Skills & AttributesWe are looking for a collaborative and credible leader with excellent communication, strategic judgment, attention to detail, and stakeholder management skills. The successful candidate should be comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, with a data-informed approach to continuous improvement, performance tracking, and customer experience. Safer RecruitmentBISJ prioritises safer recruitment and child safeguarding, aligning with UK Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), the recommendations of The International Task Force On Child Protection, and other international standards. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will undergo thorough background checks, including written and verbal references, qualification verification, identity and police checks (including overseas checks), and online screening.Applicants must highlight and explain any gaps in employment, providing relevant details where applicable.Applicants are required to provide three professional referees, including their most recent line manager, Head Teacher, or Principal. References will be requested for shortlisted candidates prior to interview, in line with BISJ’s safer recruitment procedures.The school reserves the right to make an earlier appointment should a suitable candidate be identified.