Head of Brand

Responsibilities

• The Head of Brand will work closely with the Executive Director of Communications and External Relations to develop and deliver a university-wide brand strategy that supports King’s strategic ambitions and strengthens its reputation.
• The postholder will bring specialist brand expertise and provide day-to-day leadership for this work, helping to ensure that perceptions of King’s reflect the university’s distinctive strengths, character, impact and ambitions.
• The role will be responsible for protecting and developing the university’s visual identity and providing clear guidance on the language, tone and messages used to present King’s.
• It will also extend beyond visual identity, using research and audience insight to inform how King’s positions itself and communicates its story, and translating the brand strategy into practical guidance, plans and activity.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the university and within the Communications and External Relations Directorate, the Head of Brand will build understanding and effective use of the King’s brand.
• They will manage two Brand Officers and oversee the implementation and evaluation of brand activity across the university.
• This is a full time post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract.
• If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

Requirements

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience of strategic brand management within a large or complex organisation, with a strong understanding of the relationship between brand, reputation, institutional positioning and audience perceptions.
• Demonstrable experience of protecting and developing an established brand and translating strategy into clear plans, standards and practical guidance, supported by a strong technical understanding of visual identity and creative development across websites, social media, video, print and other channels.
• Experience of using quantitative and qualitative audience research, reputation data and other evidence to identify priorities, make recommendations and evaluate progress.
• Knowledge of communications best practice including accessibility with excellent writing and editing skills and a close attention to detail
• Proven ability to build effective relationships and influence colleagues, with the confidence to advise and challenge constructively across a complex and devolved organisation.
• Experience of line management, including setting priorities, developing colleagues and maintaining high standards.
• Strong planning and judgement, with experience of managing complex projects, budgets and external suppliers and identifying potential brand or reputation risks.

Preferred

• Working in higher education or another large, devolved or mission led organisation
• Playing a significant role in the development and delivery of an institutional positioning strategy to strengthen the reputation of a large or complex organisation
• Experience of reviewing sponsorship proposals or agreements, with knowledge of the associated brand, reputation and legal considerations.