Director of Community and Communications

Director of Community and Communications

Are you an innovative and forward-thinking communications professional with the ability to devise strategy and lead a team of staff working to maximise our pupil recruitment and enhance our reputation and standing with our community?  

Royal Russell School educates over 1000 girls and boys between the ages of 3 and 18 and is situated on a beautiful green campus of 110 acres in the Shirley Hills near Croydon, only 30 minutes from Central London.  We have over 150 boarding students in the Senior School, and are proud of our day and boarding facilities that rank amongst the best in the South of England.  Our pupils, parents and staff experience a warm and friendly environment with strong pastoral care for every pupil alongside a comprehensive co-curricular and enrichment programme.  In March 2016 the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) judged the school as ‘excellent’ in all areas and in October 2018 we successfully passed a full ISI compliance inspection.

We embrace and support our whole community.  We provide an outstanding academic 3-18 co-educational experience as the Family School of Choice in South London.  We believe in the School’s motto ‘Not for oneself but for everyone’ which is at the heart of everything we do at Royal Russell.

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Community and Communications to lead all external facing aspects of the School with specific responsibility for pan-School pupil admissions, internal and external communications, alumni relationships, marketing and events. This new role is at the heart of the Royal Russell community, reporting directly to the Headmaster, and is a key member of the School Leadership Team.  

You will drive the delivery of pupil recruitment in-line with the School’s 10-Year Plan, whilst also successfully managing the existing marketing, fundraising and development functions and supporting Russell School International, the School’s overseas development campaign.  You will be a pro-active influencer and innovator who can effectively build strong relationships across all Royal Russell stakeholders whilst keeping a weather-eye on supporting the business aspects of the School. This role requires dynamism, teamwork and dedication with a strong focus on excellent customer service and results at all levels.

You should be an experienced manager who is able to build effective, strong and enduring relationships with all members of our community and who is ambitious to move to the next level in a School leadership role. Candidates who have prior experience of successfully leading the marketing, admissions or development function in a School, or those who have strong academic management experience are equally welcome to apply. If you are ambitious to take on the opportunity of joining an established and supportive leadership team who can assist you in the next stage in your career, you may be the right candidate for us.

This exciting opportunity offers excellent benefits including a highly competitive salary based on rewarding staff for their contribution, joining a team of dedicated, supportive and friendly staff, free meals, free car parking, working in our beautiful green parkland estate with easy access to transport links, a discount on School fees and the use of our sporting and gym facilities, all combined with the opportunity to be part of the vibrant community of the historic Royal Russell School. Full details of our staff benefits and recruitment procedures can be found on our School recruitment page at https://www.royalrussell.co.uk/vacancies  

A fully completed application form which includes a supporting statement outlining the extent to which you meet our requirements as set out in the person specification, and details of two referees, one of which should be a current or most recent employer should be emailed to hr@royalrussell.co.uk. References may be taken up before interview. 

Applications will be considered on receipt and should arrive no later than 12 noon on Monday 4 November 2019. The first stage of the selection process will be held in w/c 11 November 2019 with a second stage in w/c 18 November 2019. If you have not heard from us by Friday 8 November 2019 you should presume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and all appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (including a check against the Children’s Barred List), and other pre-employment screening including a check on the Secretary of State list of prohibited staff, references and medical fitness.