THE INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Marketing Manager - Ashford
APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK

WELCOMING
open minds
and open hearts

THANK YOU FOR
YOUR INTEREST
in working with us at
St James Senior Boys’ School.

Whether you are applying to join our teaching or support
staff, you will discover that St James is a highly distinctive
school with a unique ethos that combines both Mindfulness
and Philosophy. Working at St James is more than just a job:
it is very much a lifestyle choice, but one which allows all
members of our community to flourish.

The holistic ethos that addresses the need of head, hand and
heart applies equally to both pupils and all staff who work at
the school. Just as we encourage the boys in our care to learn
and challenge themselves, we expect our staff to embrace a
growth mindset in discovering opportunities to grow and
extend themselves, for example in embarking on the .B
Mindfulness in Schools programme, participating in Staff
Yoga or open water swimming in our lake, to name but a few.

Our boys are an absolute delight to teach and to get to know.
We believe in the unlimited potential of all human beings,
and we provide an environment to help our young men
flourish. Our pupils work collaboratively with their teachers
to gain insight into both their academic subjects and to
themselves. The magic that happens in the classroom at St
James is built on strong relationships, and we expect our
staff to build excellent relationships with all pupils.

Professional development for all staff is strongly encouraged,
with a programme of training offered and the financing of
further qualifications. Leadership opportunities arise all the
time, for example any member of staff can apply for Senior
Leadership experience for a year to develop or implement a
project or initiative they are interested in.

I hope that you will consider St James for the next step in
your career. I look forward to welcoming you to the school
so that you can experience the ethos and atmosphere that is
uniquely St James.

Rick Clarke
Head

ST JAMES SCHOOLS
welcomes open minds and open hearts

Founded in 1975 by philosophically-inclined parents, our three
independent day schools offer a distinctive approach to education
which provides for the intellectual, emotional and spiritual
development of every child; they aim to provide an environment in
which a child can discover all that is best within their own nature.

We actively support our pupils’ emotional wellbeing, focusing on
mindfulness and fostering a positive school atmosphere built on
mutual respect, trust and kindness.

Our schools enjoy enviable locations in London and Surrey: our
Nursery, Preparatory School and Senior Girls’ School are close to
Hammersmith and High Street Kensington, while St James Senior
Boys’ School occupies a stunning 33-acre site in Ashford, in leafy
Surrey, with transport services from London.

The School is committed to
providing a comprehensive range
of non-contractual benefits
Meal: Lunch will be provided on your working days in the on-site
refectory during School term time.

Discounts: All permanent members of staff who have passed their
probationary period may be eligible for School fees discounts.
Any discount agreed ends when your employment terminates for
whatever reason.

Christmas Closure: All support staff contracted to work during
School holidays will receive paid leave during the Christmas period
when all School sites are closed. This is in addition to the annual
contractual holiday entitlement.

School of Philosophy and Economic Science membership:
The Schools will cover the cost of membership fees for the employee
to the School of Philosophy and Economic Science.

Life Assurance: All permanent members of staff are covered by life
assurance. It is designed to help your dependants in the unfortunate
event of your death while employed by us.

JOB TITLE
Marketing Manager, Ashford

LOCATION
Ashford, Surrey

LINE MANAGER
The Head

CONTRACT TYPE
Full-time

SALARY
Very competitive, commensurate
with experience

The Role
After celebrating the significant milestone of 50 years delivering education in 2025, St James Schools are entering
an exciting phase of development. We invite applications for the pivotal role of Marketing Manager at our
Ashford campus, to lead the marketing strategy as we transition to co-education, welcoming both boys and girls
into Year 7 and Year 12 from September 2027.

We are seeking an accomplished, strategic, and creative professional marketing manager to champion the
school's brand and drive interest and growth into this full co-educational offer. Reporting directly to the Head,
you will take ownership of the marketing strategy for the Ashford campus, managing the budget and executing
campaigns that ensure the school’s value proposition is clearly understood by the market. You will have the
support of a Marketing and Events Executive, whom you will line manage and mentor to ensure high-quality
campaign execution and first-class events.

This is a dynamic position suited to a candidate who is passionate about education and eager to shape the future
of a school. You will work closely with the Registrar, holding weekly strategic meetings to align marketing
activity with admissions goals for the 2027 intake and beyond. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with the
Marketing, Admissions and Events team at our Olympia campus to ensure synergy across the Group regarding
brand ownership, digital tools, CRM and website development.

If you are a polished communicator with a positive attitude, a passion for the sector, and the ability to articulate a
compelling vision to prospective families, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Role Overview

The Marketing Manager is a key position responsible for driving the
marketing and recruitment strategy for St James Senior School Ashford
during a significant period of evolution. You will play a central role in the
school’s transition to co-education, raising the profile of the school amongst
key audiences and driving pupil recruitment for the first co-educational
intake for Year 7 and Year 12 in September 2027.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Co-education Transition

• Co-ed Strategy: Drive interest and growth into the new full co-ed

education offer. You will lead the marketing campaign to promote the
transition, ensuring the message reaches prospective families for the Year 7
and Year 12 intake in September 2027 and beyond.

• Strategic Direction: Report directly to the Head to develop and deliver a
comprehensive marketing strategy focused on capacity targets and
communicates the school's unique ethos.

• Budget Management: Working with the Head, manage the budget for

Ashford campus marketing and events expenditure, ensuring resources are
allocated effectively to maximize ROI.

• Brand Guardianship: Brand Guardianship: Working with the Marketing

Manager in Olympia, act as the guardian of the brand, ensuring a cohesive
vision that aligns across the St James Schools group.

Leadership and Management

• Line Management: Line manage the Marketing Executive at the
Ashford campus. You will be responsible for their professional
development, workflow management, and performance reviews.
• Delegation and Mentorng: Delegate operational tasks effectively

while mentoring the Marketing Executive to ensure they
produce high-quality content and deliver first-class events that
align with the brand of the schools.

Admissions & Recruitment Partnership

• Registrar Collaboration: It is essential to work closely with the

Registrar to ensure a seamless journey from enquiry to
enrolment. You will hold weekly meetings to review pipeline
data, upcoming events, and conversion strategies.

• Lead Generation: Utilise digital platforms, SEO, and social

media to generate traffic to the website and qualified enquiries
for the school.

Communications & Content

• Copywriting & Storytelling: Utilise excellent copywriting skills to

portray the ethos of the school and the value of a St James
education. You must be able to encapsulate school life effectively
to attract families to the new co-ed offer.

• Digital & Social: Collaboratively with the Marketing and Events

Executive, generate compelling content for the school’s
communication channels. Be responsible for proactive news
gathering and storytelling that highlights the inspiring learning
environment at St James.

• Events: Publicise and attend key events (such as Drama

Productions, Prize Giving, and Open Days) to interact with
prospective families, organise photographs, and act as a polished
ambassador for the school.

• Website: In collaboration with the Olympia Marketing Manager,
develop and evolve the website to ensure it is fully focused on
conversion of prospective families and that is accurately portrays
the ethos, vision and values of the school alongside conveying the
vibrancy of school life.

• Integrate into School Life: Attend regular staff meetings and

events to fully embrace and integrated into life at St James Schools
in Ashford.

Group Collaboration (Ashford & Olympia)

• Inter-Campus Synergy: Work closely with the Olympia Marketing, Admissions and Events Team campus on

Group marketing matters to ensure consistency, aligned supplier contracts and shared best practice.

• Shared Infrastructure: Collaborate on the management of group CRM and marketing tools, Google Analytics, and

website development and enhancements.

• Supplier Management: Coordinate with the Olympia campus regarding group suppliers and contracts to ensure

value and quality across the St James Schools group.

Person Specification
St James is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff
and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Essential skills
& attributes

The person appointed will have:

•  Sector Experience: Experience of working in the education sector is essential.
• Passion for Education: The candidate must be passionate about education, working in a school

environment, and must align with the school's values and ethos.

• Communication: A confident public speaker with the ability to interact professionally with prospective

families at events.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in using marketing CRM platforms, Google Analytics, and other

marketing technology.

• Digital Expertise: Digital marketing and social media management experience is essential, along with a

keen eye for design and detail.

• Collaboration: A strong team player capable of building high-value relationships; specifically, the

ability to work closely with the Registrar and the Olympia-based Marketing Manager.

Desirable

•  Market Knowledge: Ideally, the candidate will understand the local independent school marketplace.
• Design Skills: Confident user of creative design software (e.g., Adobe, Canva).
• Management Experience: Proven track record as a line manager or head of a department

HOW TO APPLY

St James Schools does not accept curriculum vitaes, so please submit your online application form by clicking
Quick Apply or email the completed St James Schools application form to c.yellow@stjamesschools.co.uk
closing date

20th February 2026

location

Ashford, Surrey

interview date

Interviews will be arranged directly with shortlisted
candidates, week commencing 23 February.

School reserves the right to offer the post at any
stage in the appointment process.

transport links
by bus:
Bus 216: Kingston – Staines
Bus 555: Hersham – Heathrow
Bus 203: Hounslow – Staines via Ashford
by car:
Ashford can be reached from the M25 (junction
13), the M3 (junction 1) and the M4 (junction 3).
We have plenty of parking on site.
by train:
The service is quick and efficient, to and from
London and surrounding areas. Ashford station is
only a 3-5 minute walk from the school. To check
local travel times, enter your journey into the
National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.

Church Road, Ashford TW15 3DZ        Tel: 01784 266 930        stjamesboys.co.uk

St James Senior Boys School is the trading name of the Independent Educational Association Limited. Registered Office: Earsby Street, London W14 8SH. Registered in England 1222329. Registered Charity No. 270156.