Marketing Manager (Student Engagement)

The Marketing Manager (Student Engagement) will build and execute multi-channel campaigns for QS Apply and QS Student portal, creating compelling content and optimizing the student journey across global markets. This role blends strategy, creativity, and analytics, focusing on storytelling and performance to attract and convert prospective students and enhance engagement throughout their lifecycle.

Must Have

• Build and execute multi-channel campaigns.
• Create compelling content; optimize student journey.
• Lead social media strategy and engagement.
• Develop year-round student engagement strategies.
• Design and execute multi-channel campaigns (digital, social, email, paid media).
• Map and optimize student lifecycle.
• Create student-centric content.
• Track KPIs, conversion, ROI; refine campaigns.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various teams.
• Strengthen QS Apply and Student portals brand.
• Partner with counselling teams.
• Manage campaign budgets.
• Proven success in digital marketing and B2C campaigns.
• Experience in international education or student engagement marketing.
• Demonstrated people leadership.
• Strong data-driven mindset; analytics and optimization skills.
• Proficiency with CRM, analytics, and social media tools.
• Experience building online communities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration.
• Strong organizational and project management.

Good to Have

• Direct experience with international education agencies/counselling.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 5 years)
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme (up to 5 additional days)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Cycle to work scheme
• Vibrant social environment and multicultural/multinational culture
• Free subscription to the Calm App
• Focus on welfare led by global wellness team, with mental health first aiders
• Access to diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs (peer-to-peer, quarterly/annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event)
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning
• Options to join global Mentorship programme

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office.

Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As a Marketing Manager across Student Engagement, this is what you’ll be doing:

You’ll be responsible for building and executing multi-channel campaigns for both QS Apply and for QS Student portal, creating compelling content, and optimising the student journey across global markets. This role blends strategy, creativity, and analytics - the ideal person thrives at the intersection of storytelling and performance.

Role responsibilities

• Social Media Leadership: Take ownership of social media strategy and execution, prioritizing growth and engagement across all platforms. Lead storytelling that showcases student successes and how QS supports their journeys.
• Year-Round Student Engagement: Develop and implement strategies for ongoing communication and engagement with students, for both QS Apply and QS student Portals: TopMBA, and TopUniversities.
• Campaign Leadership: Design and execute multi-channel campaigns (digital, social, email, paid media) to attract and convert prospective students for QS Apply and QS student portals.
• Student Journey Optimisation: Map the full student lifecycle, improving engagement and reducing drop-offs across all QS student platforms.
• Content and Storytelling: Create compelling, student-centric content focused on real student outcomes and journeys, not just platform features.
• Data and Performance Analytics: Track KPIs including engagement, conversion, and ROI, and refine campaigns using insights.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work directly with regional marketing teams (dotted line reporting), providing leadership and guidance on local campaigns. Collaborate with product, sales, operations, and communications teams to align marketing with business objectives.
• Brand Leadership: Maintain and strengthen QS Apply’s and Student portals presence in the global education market, supporting thought leadership and PR opportunities.
• Direct Work with Counselling Teams: Partner with counselling teams to highlight QS’s areas of expertise and ensure messaging resonates with student needs.
• Brand Leadership: Maintain and strengthen QS Apply’s presence, supporting thought leadership and PR.
• Budget Management: Allocate and manage campaign budgets to maximize impact.
• Any other responsibilities within the scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

• Demonstrated success in digital marketing, with a strong emphasis on social media strategy, community building, and multi-channel B2C campaigns.
• Experience leading marketing for international education, student engagement, or technology-driven organisations.
• Direct experience with or within international education agencies/counselling is a strong advantage.
• Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and guide teams across regions and functions.
• Strong data-driven mindset, advanced skills in analytics, A/B testing, and campaign optimisation.
• Ability to translate complex processes into clear, engaging narratives focused on student success.
• Proficiency with CRM and analytics tools (HubSpot, Google Analytics, paid media platforms, social media management suites).
• Experience building and nurturing online communities (Instagram, TikTok).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Creative, agile, proactive, and passionate about innovation and measurable impact.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, able to manage multiple campaigns and priorities.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying up to date with digital marketing, student engagement, and higher education trends.

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Cycle to work scheme
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.

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