Head of marketing jobs

VISION AND MISSION Waverley Abbey is a new spiritual home for a rising generation, based in one of England’s oldest places of Christian prayer, mission and justice. Today, we fire up believers and tool up leaders to play their part in the renewal of faith in the nation and around the world. We are a house of prayer, providing practical education, exceptional hospitality and sparking innovative enterprise. From the first Cistercian monastery in England to the global ministry of Every Day with Jesus, Waverley Abbey has been a place of Christian prayer, mission and justice for over 1,300 years. Now, in partnership with 24-7 Prayer, we are building a new kind of Abbey: a new spiritual home for the nation and a hub that awakens a generation to transform the story of our times through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

VALUES & CULTURE Our team really is something special. Our people are gold. Our people come from all different walks of life, and it’s this mix of brilliant personalities, experiences and insights that gives us that warm, open and friendly culture you can feel as soon as you meet us. But, however wonderfully different we all are, there are five things we’ve got in common, and they are the Waverley Abbey values. Our values are the key to what makes our culture so unique; they’re a reflection of who each of us is and they’re embedded in everything we do. OUR VALUES Integrity Compassion Selflessness Transformational Celebration SO WE EMPLOY AUTHENTIC, SELFLESS, COMPASSIONATE, TRANSFORMATIONAL AND FUN PEOPLE!

JOB PURPOSE This is an exciting senior leadership role with the opportunity to shape how Waverley Abbey tells its story, grows its reach and engages people with its vision. The Head of Marketing and Communications will provide strategic, creative and inspiring leadership across all aspects of marketing, communications, brand and digital engagement. Working across the breadth of Waverley Abbey — including the college, house, House of Prayer, events, hospitality, fundraising and the wider estate — the postholder will develop clear and compelling communication that strengthen our brand trust, reach new audiences and support sustainable revenue growth. This role will ensure that our communications reflect the quality, warmth and bold ambition of Waverley Abbey. You will be a talented and experienced marketing professional, an exceptional leader who mines the gold in others, and an experienced AI champion with a bold vision to play your part to see the Gospel of Jesus transform a generation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Marketing Leadership

> Develop and lead an ambitious, integrated marketing and communications strategy to support and supercharge Waverley Abbey’s vision, organisational priorities and income objectives.

> Translate organisational strategy into clear annual marketing plans, campaigns, priorities and measurable outcomes, and deliver those plans on time every time.

> Work closely with leaders across the college, House of Prayer, house and estate, hospitality, events, fundraising and other areas to understand their audiences and develop effective marketing responses.

> Significantly grow market share by connecting and building brand trust with new audiences, markets and opportunities to extend Waverley Abbey’s reach and influence.

> Champion and implement AI effectively and wisely to at least 10x our marketing output.

> Ensure marketing activity is focused, coordinated and capable of delivering both immediate results and long-term brand growth. Brand Leadership and Storytelling

> Deliver daily brand and individual stories above the line to build Waverley Abbey awareness, authority and trust. Champion excellent storytelling that communicates the impact of Waverley Abbey through the lives, experiences and communities impacted by our work.

> Lead and be principle guardian of the Waverley Abbey brand and sub-brands.

> Develop a clear, compelling and consistent brand story that captures the heritage, vision, breadth and future direction of Waverley Abbey.

> Ensure the brand is expressed consistently across all communications, campaigns, publications, digital platforms, signage and visitor touchpoints.

> Oversee the development and implementation of brand guidelines and support colleagues to apply them consistently and confidently.

> Protect and strengthen the reputation of Waverley Abbey; identifying, proactively managing and responding appropriately to potential risks. Campaigns, Audience Growth and Engagement

> Lead integrated fundraising campaigns that increase awareness, engagement, participation and income from core and new audiences.

> Develop targeted approaches for student recruitment that increase our HE student enrolments year on year on year, and provide a significantly growing ‘front door’ of non-HE students and trainees via a ‘digital university’.

> Significantly grow house, event and retreat guests to maximum capacity.

> Ensure campaigns are creative, audience-focused, aspirational and informed by meaningful data.

> Establish a clear annual marketing and communications plan aligned with organisational priorities — and deliver on time, every time.

> Strengthen the organisation’s ability to acquire new audiences while deepening engagement with existing supporters, students, guests, customers and partners. Digital Marketing and Content >Deliver the effective and wise use of AI to 10x our marketing output.

> Provide leadership for Waverley Abbey’s websites, social media channels, email communications and wider digital presence.

> Effectively be able to spin-up world class UX websites and apps in short timescales.

>Develop a digital-first approach that makes maximum use of content, video, photography, social media, search, email and emerging platforms.

>Oversee the planning and production of high-quality content that is engaging, market-leading and consistent with the Waverley Abbey voice.

> Ensure the best UX on all websites and that digital platforms are accurate, accessible, engaging, easy to navigate and optimised for search.

>Use analytics and audience insight to improve campaigns and tactics.

>Always be exploring new digital opportunities that could significantly increase Waverley Abbey’s reach and impact. Communications and Public Relations

> Lead Waverley Abbey’s external communications, media relations and public relations activity.

>Develop proactive opportunities to raise the profile of Waverley Abbey locally, nationally and within relevant Christian, educational and hospitality networks.

>Oversee press releases, media statements, articles, briefing materials and external announcements.

>Build strong and constructive relationships with journalists, media partners, influencers and other key stakeholders.

> Lead communications planning during sensitive or high-profile situations, working closely with the CEO and relevant senior leaders.

> Ensure Waverley Abbey communicates with clarity, confidence and integrity. Fundraising and Partnership Communications

> Work in close partnership with fundraising colleagues to develop compelling cases for support, campaigns and supporter communications.

> Ensure fundraising materials communicate Waverley Abbey’s vision, need and impact with clarity.

> Support the development of strategic partnerships that increase the organisation’s profile, influence and reach.

> Create high-quality communications resources for funders, donors, partners, churches and other key stakeholders. Team Leadership and Development

> Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing Marketing and Communications team in collaboration with the Senior Marketing Manager.

> Create a collaborative, creative and supportive culture in which team members are trusted, equipped and accountable.

> Set clear objectives and priorities for the team, ensuring workloads and resources are managed effectively.

> Provide regular one-to-ones, feedback, coaching, development conversations and performance reviews.

> Support the personal and professional development of direct reports, identifying opportunities for growth and increased responsibility.

> Commission and manage freelancers, agencies and specialist suppliers where appropriate.

> Build positive and productive relationships across the organisation, enabling the Marketing and Communications team to operate as a trusted strategic partner. Planning, Budgets and Performance

> Manage the Marketing and Communications budget responsibly, ensuring effective use of resources and demonstrable value — always within budget.

> Establish clear measures of success across brand awareness, audience growth, engagement, recruitment, conversion and income.

> Provide regular performance reports, insight and recommendations to the CEO and Executive Team.

> Use data, audience research and market insight to inform decisions and continually improve performance.

> Manage multiple projects and priorities effectively, ensuring high quality work is delivered on time and within budget. Data and Compliance

> Ensure marketing communications comply with UK GDPR, data protection, consent and privacy requirements.

> Maintain professional, ethical and legally compliant standards across all communications activity. Leadership and Organisational Contribution As a senior Executive member at Waverley Abbey, the postholder will:

> Contribute actively to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.

> Build strong relationships across all areas of Waverley Abbey and work generously across organisational boundaries.

> Model leadership that is clear, courageous, compassionate and accountable.

> Champion a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

> Embody Waverley Abbey’s values of Integrity, Compassion, Selflessness, Transformation and Celebration.

> Act as an ambassador for Waverley Abbey, representing the organisation externally and internally confidently and professionally.

> Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION Experience — Essential

> Significant senior-level experience in marketing, communications or brand.

> A strong track record of developing and delivering successful marketing and communications strategies.

> Experience of leading integrated campaigns across digital and traditional channels.

> Demonstrable success in growing audiences, increasing engagement and delivering measurable organisational outcomes.

> Experience of leading, managing and developing a marketing or communications team.

> Strong experience of AI, digital marketing, content strategy, social media, websites, email marketing and audience analytics.

> Experience of working effectively with senior leaders and providing trusted strategic advice.

> Experience of managing budgets, agencies, suppliers and multiple projects.

> Experience of using data insight to evaluate performance and make decisions.

Experience — Desirable

> Experience within a complex, multi-product environment — charity, Christian organisation, education provider or hospitality organisation.

> Experience of student recruitment, fundraising communications, events marketing or customer acquisition.

> Experience of working across an organisation with several distinct audiences, services or brands.

Knowledge and Skills — Essential

> Excellent strategic thinking, with the ability to translate vision into focused and achievable plans.

> Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

> Strong creative judgement and the ability to recognise and develop compelling stories.

> A sophisticated understanding of brand, audience development and customer journeys.

> Excellent leadership and people-management skills.

> Strong project-management and organisational skills, with the ability to balance strategic leadership and practical delivery. > Commercial awareness and an understanding of how marketing supports organisational growth and income generation.

> Confidence in analysing data, measuring impact and presenting clear recommendations.

Knowledge and Skills — Desirable

> A relevant degree or professional marketing qualification.

> Membership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

> Working knowledge of content management systems, customer relationship management systems, email marketing tools and creative software.

> Understanding of the UK higher education landscape.

Personal Qualities The successful candidate will be:

> An imaginative and ambitious leader who is excited by the opportunity to build something significant.

> A gifted storyteller who communicates with clarity, warmth and authenticity.

> Strategic and creative, while also able to bring structure, focus and delivery.

> Collaborative, generous and able to work effectively with colleagues holding different responsibilities and perspectives.

> Emotionally intelligent and confident in navigating complexity.

> Proactive, resourceful and comfortable taking appropriate initiative.

> Committed to excellence without losing warmth, humanity or perspective.

> Resilient, adaptable and able to respond positively to change.

> Personally aligned with the Christian vision and values of Waverley Abbey. Occupational Requirement There is an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practising Christian. The successful candidate will be expected to affirm Waverley Abbey’s Statement of Faith, participate in the prayer life of the organisation and conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with its Christian ethos and values. This requirement is applied in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. Additional Requirements

> Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of significant events, campaigns or organisational activity. > Willingness to travel occasionally for meetings, events and partnership activity.

> This job description reflects the current requirements of the role. It may be reviewed as Waverley Abbey develops, following consultation with the postholder.