Marketing Officer - SPARK Schools Support

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing Officer - SPARK Schools Support

🔹 Company: SPARK Schools

🔹 Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site

🔹 Category: Education, Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-11

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns
• Ensuring production and delivery of quality marketing collateral
• Managing relationships with vendors and agencies to maintain brand consistency
• Contributing to enrolment and retention goals through brand visibility, lead generation, and stakeholder engagement
• Bringing a strong consumer insights lens to all marketing efforts

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative and analytical skills, with a focus on data-driven decision making and understanding customer behavior.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Campaign Execution & Brand Support: Assist in the development and roll-out of integrated marketing campaigns, coordinate day-to-day execution, and ensure brand alignment across all communication and materials.

✅ Consumer Insights & Research: Lead and support consumer research initiatives, translate insights into actionable recommendations, and ensure strategic outputs reflect a clear understanding of the SPARK customer base.

✅ Agency and Vendor Management: Manage relationships with advertising and media agencies, oversee production processes with suppliers and vendors, and ensure quality and consistency of marketing outputs.

✅ Marketing Collateral Production: Project manage the creation and delivery of signage, printed collateral, branded merchandise, and campaign-specific assets, collaborating with designers, printers, and other suppliers.

✅ Internal Team Support & Stakeholder Coordination: Work closely with Enrolment and Retentions teams, school leaders, and support functions to coordinate marketing requirements and campaign support at the ground level.

✅ Performance Monitoring: Track campaign performance, monitor key metrics, and make data-informed suggestions to optimise spend and campaign reach.

✅ Budget Management: Ensure the budget spent on campaigns is optimised for ROI, negotiate with vendors for cost-effective products and services, and continuously track actual spend vs. budgeted spend.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and deliverables.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A degree or diploma in marketing, advertising, communications, or a related field - post-graduate qualification advantageous

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in marketing or a closely related field

Required Skills:

• Experience managing advertising and media agencies
• Experience managing production projects (print, digital, TV, radio, etc.)
• Experience overseeing brand perception research and satisfaction tracking
• Experience in Digital Marketing, including campaign set up, analytics, and performance optimisation
• Basic Graphic Design skills and ability to work with design tools such as Canva advantageous

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the education sector
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the education sector or relevant transferable skills would be beneficial for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be between ZAR 350,000 and ZAR 450,000 per annum, based on industry standards for a marketing officer with 2-5 years of experience in the education sector in South Africa.

Benefits:

• Fair market-linked remuneration
• Performance-based annual bonuses and increases
• Above average/good annual leave
• Life, disability, and funeral cover
• Employee wellness support
• Educational support & study leave
• Individualised professional development, support, and mentorship
• Employee discount on school fees
• Opportunities for career growth

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with additional hours as required to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and market conditions.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Primary and Secondary Education

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 2012

Company Description:

• SPARK Schools is a network of private schools offering affordable, globally competitive education through its blended learning model.
• The company aims to provide transformational education innovation, elevating student achievement and providing teachers with the tools they need to serve their students effectively.
• SPARK Schools operates 21 primary schools and 5 high schools, serving over 16,000 families in 2025.

Company Specialties:

• Highly engaging classroom teaching
• Individualised instruction
• Learning lab
• Partnership with families and the community
• Professional development for teachers and school leaders
• Student achievement
• University preparation
• Blended learning

Company Website: http://www.sparkschools.co.za

ASSUMPTION: SPARK Schools is a mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating in the education sector with a focus on affordable, quality education.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level marketing role, with opportunities for career growth and professional development.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Marketing.

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position, with additional hours as required to meet project deadlines.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career progression within the marketing department or broader organisation
• Opportunities for professional development and mentorship
• Exposure to various aspects of marketing, including campaign execution, consumer insights, and stakeholder engagement

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the marketing department and the broader organisation.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a physical office location in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Office Location(s): 1 Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2196, ZA

Geographic Context:

• Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and the provincial capital of Gauteng.
• The city is known for its vibrant culture, diverse communities, and economic opportunities.
• Rosebank is a bustling suburb in northern Johannesburg, known for its shopping centres, restaurants, and nightlife.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with additional hours as required to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission through the company's careers portal
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the Head of Marketing
• Final interview with the school's leadership team

Key Assessment Areas:

• Marketing and campaign management skills
• Consumer insights and research capabilities
• Project management and stakeholder coordination
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and interpersonal skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing and campaign management experience
• Demonstrate your understanding of the education sector and SPARK Schools' mission and values
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns you've managed, including metrics and outcomes
• Be ready to discuss your approach to consumer insights and research, as well as your ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Campaign Management, Consumer Insights, Research, Agency Management, Vendor Management, Project Management, Stakeholder Coordination, Performance Monitoring, Budget Management, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Customer Orientation

ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary, and additional steps or assessments may be included based on the company's needs and the candidate's qualifications.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the company's preferences and the candidate's skills and experience.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Service
• Persistence
• Achievement
• Responsibility
• Kindness

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Focused on continuous improvement and innovation

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you align with SPARK Schools' values, particularly service, persistence, and kindness?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple deadlines and deliverables?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment and enjoy working with diverse teams and stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Cultural fit is essential for success in this role, as it requires strong collaboration, adaptability, and a customer-focused mindset.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Working with various stakeholders, including school leaders, vendors, and agencies
• Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Developing and implementing effective marketing strategies in a competitive education landscape

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, adaptability, and a customer-focused mindset.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Marketing Manager or Marketing Specialist in other industries, with a focus on campaign execution, consumer insights, and stakeholder engagement
• However, this role is unique in its focus on the education sector and the application of marketing principles to drive enrolment and retention goals
• Career progression may include roles such as Senior Marketing Manager, Head of Marketing, or other leadership positions within the marketing department or broader organisation

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing positions, its focus on the education sector and the application of marketing principles to drive enrolment and retention goals makes it unique.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a marketing campaign to drive enrolment for a new school opening
• Conducting consumer research to understand parent preferences and behaviours in the education sector
• Managing the production and delivery of marketing collateral for a school-wide event or initiative

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from campaign management and consumer insights to project management and stakeholder coordination.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the marketing team's structure and how this role fits within it?
• What are the biggest marketing challenges facing SPARK Schools, and how can this role address them?
• How does SPARK Schools support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?
• How does SPARK Schools engage with and support its local communities and families?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role, the company, and its mission, as well as your understanding of the marketing landscape and your ability to contribute to the team's success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the SPARK Schools careers portal
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing and campaign management experience, as well as your understanding of the education sector and SPARK Schools' mission and values
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns you've managed, including metrics and outcomes
• Be ready to discuss your approach to consumer insights and research, as well as your ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the process

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