Our Mission
Coventry University Group is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. We are driven by our passionate belief in the transformational power of education and research to enable and empower our students, colleagues and partners and to improve the world around them. Our people are key to our success and each role contributes to the Group’s ongoing progress in communities around the world.
This role is based within CU Corporate Services Limited, a sister company of Coventry University and part of the Coventry University Group.
The Role
We are seeking to recruit a Head of Market Research and Portfolio Marketing Strategy to lead our insight-driven approach to marketing and course/portfolio development within a complex higher education environment. This is a high-profile leadership role, responsible for ensuring that the voice of prospective and current students is embedded at the heart of decision making across the organisation.
You will champion a customer-first mindset, using data, research and insight to inform strategic direction, strengthen student recruitment performance and shape the future of our academic portfolio. This includes aligning provision to student demand, employability outcomes, regulatory requirements and the evolving competitive landscape.
Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will identify insight gaps across the full student lifecycle, from early consideration and UCAS application behaviour through to enrolment, experience and outcomes. You will translate complex data into compelling and actionable recommendations that influence senior stakeholders and support evidence based decision making.
Leading a team of market research and insight professionals, you will deliver high quality qualitative and quantitative research programmes, develop thought leadership on key sector issues and build a strong market intelligence capability. You will play a critical role in shaping course development and portfolio strategy, ensuring that our offer responds effectively to changing demographics, policy developments and global market trends.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader with a passion for insight, who enjoys influencing change and delivering measurable impact in a fast paced and competitive higher education sector.
Our Successful Candidate
Our successful candidate will be an experienced market research and insight leader with a strong track record of using data to inform strategy and drive performance within complex organisations, ideally in higher education or a comparable sector would be advantageous.
You will bring:
• Extensive experience in market research and insight, including designing and delivering both qualitative and quantitative projects, and translating findings into clear and actionable recommendations
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to work with complex datasets, generate meaningful insight and communicate this effectively to non specialist audiences
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, develop and manage high performing teams in a demanding environment
• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking, with experience supporting course or product development, portfolio planning and marketing strategy through insight
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with confidence working with senior leaders, academic stakeholders and external partners
• Expertise in research methodologies, tools and data sources, alongside a strong understanding of marketing principles and customer behaviour
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to present complex analysis in a way that is engaging, clear and suitable for senior audiences
• A strong understanding of student recruitment dynamics, applicant behaviour and the higher education landscape, including awareness of UCAS processes, policy influences and competitor positioning would also be advantageous.
You will be a curious and insight led leader with a strong interest in student decision making and behaviour, combining analytical thinking with a collaborative approach to build relationships across academic and professional services teams. You will be highly organised and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities at pace while challenging thinking and fostering a culture where decisions about courses, recruitment and investment are guided by evidence and insight.
The Benefits
As a staff member of Coventry University, you will have a access to a wide range of industry leading rewards and benefits which includes:
- Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
- 30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days
- Life Assurance 4 x Salary
- BUPA Cash Plan
- 50% off Tuition Fees for staff dependants
- CU Reward Scheme – Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
- Cycle To work scheme
Our Culture
As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.
Full Job Description and Person Specification
We look forward to hearing from you!
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