Marketing & Events Manager (Alumni, Business & Employer Engagement)

Join University College Birmingham at a pivotal moment as we build a new Business and Employer Engagement team designed to put industry partnerships at the heart of the UCB experience.

This new function will drive a step-change in how the University works with employers — connecting businesses with talent, skills, enterprise, innovation and specialist expertise across our academic schools.

Whether through placements, apprenticeships, CPD, consultancy, live projects, events, CRM insight or student enterprise, this team will turn UCB’s ‘Putting Knowledge to Work’ strategy into visible impact for students, employers and the wider region.

We are looking for ambitious, commercially minded and collaborative people who want to help shape something new, build meaningful partnerships, and play a direct role in opening opportunities for students and businesses alike.

As Marketing and Events Manager, you will bring UCB’s business-facing offer to life through compelling campaigns, communications and events.

Working across employer engagement, alumni, business development and academic teams, you will lead activity that promotes UCB’s offer to employers, partners and alumni — from sector briefings and networking events to targeted campaigns for CPD, apprenticeships, placements, graduate talent and commercial services.

This is a creative, hands-on role for someone who can combine sharp messaging, strong project management and a clear understanding of business audiences.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Marketing & Events Manager (Alumni, Business & Employer Engagement)

Department:

Hired / Business Development

Contract:

Permanent, Full-time

Salary Range:

SS7

Salary Grade:

£42,254 - £43,482 per annum

Report To:

Director of Business and Employer Engagement (with a dotted line into Central Marketing)

Job Purpose:

The Marketing and Events Manager will lead business-facing marketing, communications and events activity across the University’s employer, alumni and industry engagement portfolio.

The role will support income generation, partnership development and long-term external relationships through targeted campaigns, events and communications covering areas such as CPD, apprenticeships, short courses, placements, graduate employment and wider employer engagement.

Working across Business Development, academic Schools, central Marketing, Alumni Relations and external partners, the postholder will ensure a clear, consistent and compelling business-facing proposition.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Marketing & Communications

1. Lead the development and delivery of B2B marketing and communications plans for the University’s business-facing products and services, aligned to Business and Employer Engagement priorities.

2. Translate business development objectives into clear, audience-focused marketing activity that supports lead generation, pipeline development, and partnership growth.

3. Develop and manage integrated campaigns across digital, email, web, social media, print, and direct engagement channels, working in line with institutional brand and marketing guidelines.

4. Ensure clear articulation of the University’s employer value proposition across different sectors and audiences, including SMEs, large employers, alumni-owned businesses, and strategic partners.

5. Develop marketing campaigns for courses where the audience is B2B. For example, apprenticeships, HNCs, MBAs, Nursing Prescribing courses etc.

6. Work closely with central Marketing and Digital teams to ensure accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness of business-facing content across all channels, including websites and CRM communications.

Events & Engagement Activity

7. Plan, deliver, and evaluate a programme of business-facing and alumni engagement events, including networking events, employer forums, sector briefings, showcases, and partnership events.

8. Lead on event planning from concept to delivery, including budgeting, logistics, promotion, stakeholder coordination, and post-event follow-up.

9. Work with Business Development Managers and alumni colleagues to ensure events support relationship-building, opportunity development, and institutional profile.

10. Identify opportunities to maximise impact from events through integrated marketing, content capture, and follow-up communications.

Alumni, Employer & Stakeholder Engagement

11. Work collaboratively with Alumni Relations to develop joint marketing and engagement activity that strengthens alumni-employer connections and supports business development objectives.

12. Support targeted engagement with employers and partners through tailored communications and sector-specific activity.

13. Act as a key liaison between Business and Employer Engagement and central Marketing, ensuring business-facing activity is prioritised and well-coordinated.

Insight, Performance & Continuous Improvement

14. Use data, insight, and market intelligence to inform marketing and events planning, audience segmentation, and messaging.

15. Monitor and evaluate the performance of campaigns and events, providing clear reporting on impact, engagement, and return on investment.

16. Maintain accurate records of activity and outcomes using CRM and reporting systems, working closely with Business Development colleagues to support pipeline management.

Governance & Professional Practice

17. Ensure all marketing and events activity complies with data protection, GDPR, and University policies.

18. Commit to upholding the principles of Safeguarding and the PREVENT agenda.

19. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Post:

Marketing & Events Manager (Alumni, Business & Employer Engagement)

Weighted criteria marked x

Experience:

Proven experience of delivering B2B marketing and communications activity, ideally within higher education, professional services, or a business-facing environment. x

Experience of planning and delivering events for external stakeholders, such as employers, partners, or alumni.

Experience of developing and delivering multi-channel marketing campaigns aligned to commercial or income-generating objectives. x

Experience of working with multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.

Skills & Abilities:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for business and professional audiences. x

Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver activity to deadline. x

Ability to build positive, effective working relationships with colleagues and external partners.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Confident use of digital marketing tools, CRM systems, and data to support engagement and reporting.

Education & Qualifications:

Educated to degree level and/or professional qualification in a relevant subject; or equivalent professional experience.

Training & Professional Development:

Evidence of ongoing CPD.

Other:

Willingness to work flexibly to meet organisational need, this may include evening and weekends on occasion.

An understanding of the principles of Safeguarding and the PREVENT agenda in the context of Further and Higher

Education.