Head of Marketing, PR & Communications


Company:	South Devon College
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Paignton, TQ4 7EJ
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 1 day remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	28 Oct 2026
Closing date:	8 Nov 2026

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Summary

SH3355

Salary: £51,173 to £57,110 per annum

Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent. 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Location: Paignton, Devon

Are you ready to shape how South Devon College connects with our community?

If so, this could be your next opportunity.

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Marketing, PR & Communications to lead our marketing, public relations, communications, digital, events, CRM and schools outreach activity.

This is a highly influential role with the opportunity to shape the College’s reputation, strengthen learner recruitment and ensure South Devon College remains a first-choice provider of education and training locally and regionally.

What will you be doing?

As Head of Marketing, PR & Communications, you will set the strategic direction for the Marketing Team and turn organisational priorities into effective, targeted activity.

You will build strong relationships across the College, working closely with academic teams to understand their priorities and challenges. You will also collaborate with IT, Student Services, Business Development and Careers colleagues to improve systems, workflows and the experience of prospective learners.

You will:

Set the strategic direction for marketing, PR and communications

Improve the learner journey from enquiry through to enrolment

Lead digital-first, insight-led campaigns

Shape our outreach strategy

Strengthen our reputation locally and regionally

Lead and develop the Marketing Team

Maximise the impact of external agency partnerships

What will you bring?

You will be an experienced marketing leader who combines strategic thinking with the ability to deliver. You will understand how marketing, communications, technology and data can work together to support organisational goals.

You will bring:

Senior management experience in a substantial marketing role

Expertise in digital marketing, CRM, SEO and analytics

A strong PR and communications background

Experience of multi-channel campaigns and schools outreach

The ability to influence, collaborate and turn data into results

A relevant degree or higher-level qualification

At South Devon College we are passionate that excellent teaching and learning can transform lives. We seek to achieve at the highest levels and welcome staff who share our drive for success.

In return, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 35 days (pro rata) and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities.

We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning. Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning.

Our staff are integral to maintaining our passion and high-performance levels, and we reward our staff for this. Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance, and include:

35 days annual leave

1 additional day’s holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday);

1 additional day’s holiday for every 5 years served;

Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement;

Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days;

Local Government Pension Scheme Employer pension contributions of 15.1%

Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair and beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym and free eyesight tests;

Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes;

Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme);

On Site Nursery (Mama Bears);

Employee Assistance Programmes;

Access to Blue Light Card membership;

Discounted travel schemes.

Closing Date: Sunday, 8th November 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

To apply, please visit the Jobs page of the South Devon College website www.southdevon.ac.uk/jobs. Please do NOT send CVs, we only accept applications via the relevant form on our dedicated recruitment website.

For a full job description and person specification, please click here.

Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College.

This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership.

Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability. This may include changing the timing or location of any interview to enable the candidate to attend, providing information in different formats or larger type, etc.

This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of learners, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Essential requirements

Senior management experience in a substantial marketing role Expertise in digital marketing, CRM, SEO and analytics A strong PR and communications background Experience of multi-channel campaigns and schools outreach The ability to influence, collaborate and turn data into results A relevant degree or higher-level qualification

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