Applicant Communications Manager

Job Description

An excellent opportunity for an experienced CRM marketing and communications professional to lead a successful applicant communications function at a leading University.Client DetailsMy client is a leading UK University based on the outskirts of LondonDescriptionThe successful applicant will have the following responsibilities;* Responsible for the development and implementation of end-to-end applicant comms marketing strategies utilising customer data and insight to achieve student recruitment, conversion and early retention targets.* Regularly monitor and review key metrics and track customer behaviour throughout the cycle - from enquiry through to enrolment - to evaluate ongoing effectiveness and return on investment. Pro-actively seek out opportunities to improve the performance ofall applicant-facing communications and feed recommendations into the college tactical plans.* Develop a two-way customer contact strategy based on key recruitment objectives, to form long-lasting relationships with different applicant groups to improve conversion and encourage brand loyalty.* Work with the Senior Insights Officer to conduct regular competitor analysis and benchmarking to ascertain success and keep up to date with industry best practice, including emerging digital platforms and communication methods. Recommend new email marketingstrategies and share best practice within the departments and beyond.* Support the development and delivery of a pre and post application enquiry management framework to lead the Applicant Comms team to provide an improved, more efficient contact service. Ensure the Admissions team are consulted before implementing new practicesto ensure consistency across the directorate.* Test and evaluate the use of dynamic content within email communications to deliver a more targeted customer experience. Ensure use of automation workflows to deliver time appropriate communications to successfully nurture leads from enquiry to application,and application to acceptance.* Lead on solution-based enquiry management initiatives to reduce response times and improve the overall customer perception and experience; such as live chat, chatbots, Unibuddy and any other recruitment focused digital solutions.* Consider CRM as part of the wider marketing mix and lead the Senior CRM Communications Officer to ensure full integration with other customer-facing systems such as our enquiry service desk, social media and the content management system.* Work with the College Marketing teams, the Home/EU and International Senior Marketing Officers and Digital Communications Manager in taking a content-led approach in the development and implementation of strategic, user-focused marketing communications, usingengaging and compelling copy.* Work with internal stakeholders such as Accommodation, Student Services, Student Finance, Language Centre and LBIC to stay up to date on Campus life and deliver appropriate, relevant and timely content to our applicants.* Recommend significant improvements to the presentation of all applicant-facing content across the full marketing mix - website, social media, collateral, e-comms, etc. to ensure high quality and consistency.ProfileThe successful applicant should ideally have the following skillset;

• Demonstrable experience in email marketing and contact management.
• Demonstrable experience of successful marketing and marketing communication strategies, plans and processes, including extensive use of a CRM system.
• Proven experience in delivering content-led marketing strategies and developing engaging, persuasive communications, to drive interest and conversion.
• Proven experience in using insight & data to inform marketing communication activity, including thorough use of google analytics and e-comms platforms.
• Experience in implementing new email marketing strategies and communication streams.
• Experience in CEM (Customer Enquiry Management) including demonstrable experience in the use of dynamic content and email automation.
• Experience successfully managing a marketing budget and demonstrable experience in recognising good value for money.
• Experience of working within a Higher Education environment would be preferable

Job OfferThe successful candidate will be offered a salary of between £4000- £48000+ full University benefits on a 12 month fixed term contract