Marketing Manager - Dubai Campus

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing Manager - Dubai Campus

🔹 Company: Heriot-Watt University

🔹 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

🔹 Job Type: Full Time

🔹 Category: Education

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-30

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a team to develop and implement marketing initiatives aligned with the University’s strategic plan
• Managing the delivery of applicant communications and evaluating campaign performance
• Working closely with Heads of Schools to develop marketing collateral and position the brand to internal and external audiences
• Raising awareness of and generating leads for Heriot-Watt University through online and print media to achieve student recruitment targets

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive marketing professional with experience in brand implementation, content creation, project management, and integrated marketing campaigns. A ‘digital first’ approach is essential, along with excellent communication skills and strong project management experience.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead a small team to develop and implement marketing initiatives and corporate communications within the academic schools aligned to the University’s strategic plan

✅ Manage the delivery of a sector-leading applicant communications experience through the effective showcasing of content through the website, CRM, direct mail, social media, events, and personalised recruitment activity

✅ Prioritise activities and manage complex demands on your time

✅ Monitor and evaluate campaign and content performance, to make recommendations to inform future marketing and digital campaigns

✅ Shape and deliver the school campaign strategy ensuring marketing activities comply with brand and campaign guidelines, consistently applied across all media platforms

✅ Support a ‘digital first’ approach to curate and implement creative and reusable content that is timely, engaging, and relevant to the target market to support marketing plans and utilise across all channels

✅ Lead on academic portfolio marketing, social media, recruitment, market insights, and communications teams to develop campaign messaging and supporting assets and develop marketing collateral with a strong focus on rich media content

✅ Maintain a thorough awareness of developments and trends in the Higher Education sector, nationally and internationally, and ensure that these are responded to appropriately in marketing plans

✅ Work with internal and external creative teams to create campaign content and assets

✅ Manage relevant budgets and ensure that the University’s procurement policies are adhered to

✅ Maintain a bank of marketing tools such as briefing templates, disclaimers, and model-release agreements and respond to brand-related enquiries

✅ Provide advice to internal stakeholders on the procurement of marketing-related services from external suppliers ensuring correct interpretation and implementation of brand guidelines

✅ Prepare and manage photoshoots and film projects including: the preparation of briefs, model casting, commissioning photography, and maintaining an updated photo library

✅ Represent the Marketing team and MRAC at meetings and events as required

✅ Lead on the development and production of corporate publications

✅ Oversee effective archiving, storage, and distribution of all marketing material produced for the University

✅ Work in co-operation with the web and recruitment teams, to provide appropriate support materials and content for events

✅ Undertake any other appropriate duties as directed by the Head of Marketing

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and hands-on project management. The successful candidate will be able to balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail and a proactive approach to work.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Educated to degree level or demonstrate relevant marketing experience

Experience: Significant professional experience of working in a marketing-related field

Required Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Excellent copywriting skills, editing, and proof-reading
• Experience working within brand guidelines
• Excellent organisational and project management skills and the ability to work independently
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and meet deadlines with an excellent attention to detail
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders
• Line management experience
• Excellent communication and IT skills
• Commercial acumen and experience of managing budgets

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Higher Education sector and an understanding of the macro issues facing the sector

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proactive approach to work, show initiative, and be able to multi-task and work with a wide variety of stakeholders. They should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong project management experience.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: AED 25,000 - 35,000 per month (Estimated based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager role in Dubai)

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dubai residence visa sponsorship
• Annual leave and other standard benefits

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Marketing Manager role in Dubai. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Higher Education

Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees)

Founded: 1821 (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Company Description:

• Heriot-Watt University is a vibrant, forward-looking university known for its quality degrees with employers actively seeking out its graduates
• It is Scotland’s international university with an unsurpassed international in-country presence, delivering degree programmes to circa 30,000 students in 143 countries around the world
• The University has campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia

Company Specialties:

• Research-led teaching
• Industry-relevant programmes
• Global opportunities for students

Company Website: https://www.hw.ac.uk

ASSUMPTION: Heriot-Watt University is a well-established institution with a strong reputation for research-led teaching and industry-relevant programmes. Its international presence provides global opportunities for students and staff.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level management (Grade 7)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Marketing

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time (40 hours per week)

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a senior marketing role within the University
• Expanding the University’s global presence and student recruitment targets
• Developing and implementing innovative marketing strategies to drive student engagement and enrollment

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the University’s marketing team and wider organisation.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, on-campus office

Office Location(s): Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Geographic Context:

• Dubai is a major global hub for business, tourism, and education
• The University’s Dubai campus is located in the prestigious Dubai International Academic City
• The campus offers a modern, well-equipped learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Sunday to Thursday

ASSUMPTION: The Dubai campus provides a modern, well-equipped work environment with state-of-the-art facilities, located in a prestigious academic hub.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Shortlisted candidates invited for an on-demand-video interview
• Successful candidates proceed to in-person formal interviews at the Dubai campus, including a brief presentation on a relevant topic
• Final offer decision following a second interview with senior staff at the Dubai campus

Key Assessment Areas:

• Marketing strategy and planning
• Campaign management and execution
• Brand management and implementation
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Budget management and financial acumen

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing experience and skills
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions related to marketing campaign management, stakeholder engagement, and project management
• Research the University and its Dubai campus to demonstrate your understanding of the organisation and its mission

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Campaign Management, Brand Implementation, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Higher Education, Dubai Campus

ASSUMPTION: The application process involves several stages, including an on-demand-video interview and in-person formal interviews at the Dubai campus. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong marketing skills, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to work.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
• Design and graphics software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• SEO and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be proficient in using a range of marketing tools and technologies to manage campaigns, create content, and analyse performance.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Belong
• Collaborate
• Inspire
• Celebrate

Work Style:

• Proactive and innovative
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
• Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you align with the University’s values of belonging, collaboration, inspiration, and celebration?
• Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, international environment with diverse stakeholders?
• Can you thrive in a results-driven, collaborative work culture focused on continuous improvement?

ASSUMPTION: Heriot-Watt University values a diverse, inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Candidates should be able to demonstrate alignment with the University’s values and work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders and complex demands on time
• Working in a dynamic, international environment with diverse cultural expectations
• Balancing strategic planning with hands-on project management
• Meeting tight deadlines and maintaining a high level of attention to detail

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple priorities, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and balance strategic thinking with attention to detail.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Marketing Manager roles in higher education typically involve a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and hands-on project management
• Compared to other industries, higher education marketing roles may have more complex stakeholder relationships and require a deeper understanding of the educational sector
• Career progression in higher education marketing may involve moving into senior management roles or specialising in a specific area, such as international recruitment or digital marketing

ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other Marketing Manager positions in higher education, but may have unique challenges and opportunities specific to the University and its Dubai campus.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new academic programme
• Managing a rebranding project for the University’s Dubai campus
• Creating and executing a targeted social media campaign to increase student engagement and enrollment
• Collaborating with academic schools to create and distribute marketing collateral for events and open days

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience managing marketing projects from inception to delivery, with a focus on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and results-driven execution.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the University support the professional development of its marketing team members?
• What are the main challenges facing the University’s Dubai campus, and how can this role address them?
• How does the University measure the success of its marketing campaigns, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important?
• What opportunities are there for growth and progression within the University’s marketing team?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, relevant questions during the interview demonstrates your interest in the role and organisation, and provides valuable insights into the position and the University’s marketing team.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Heriot-Watt University website
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing experience and skills
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions related to marketing campaign management, stakeholder engagement, and project management
• Research the University and its Dubai campus to demonstrate your understanding of the organisation and its mission
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.