Associate Director of PR & Communications

Associate Director of PR and Digital Communications

Global University Systems – UK College Division
Location : London
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive

This is an opportunity to shape how a group of creative and international education institutions tell their story.

Global University Systems (GUS) is an international education group that empowers students to transform their lives through education. We believe education drives careers, lives, and society forward, enabling a brighter and more sustainable future for all.  Our institutions offer the broadest range of industry-relevant skills through inclusive, accessible and digital-first learning.  We offer a choice of career-enhancing certificates, degrees and post-graduate level qualifications, equipping our thriving multi-national community of students for lifelong success.  Our world-leading network and state-of-the-art institutions power the upskilling of our students worldwide.  

As Associate Director of PR and Digital Communications, you will lead the strategic development of public relations and communications activity across the UK College Division brands – LCCA, LCCM, LAT, IBAT and The Language Gallery. Working closely with the Chief Marketing Officer and senior leadership teams, you will strengthen brand visibility, protect institutional reputation and ensure that the successes of our students, alumni and staff are shared across media, digital and internal channels.

The role requires a strategic communications professional who can translate complex institutional activity into compelling stories that resonate with media, stakeholders and prospective students.

Key Activities & Responsibilities

PR Strategy and Brand Communications

• Lead the development and delivery of PR and communications strategies across the UK College Division brands.
• Deliver integrated PR campaigns that support institutional priorities and increase brand visibility.
• Identify and develop compelling stories that highlight the achievements of students, alumni and staff.

Media Relations and Reputation Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, media outlets and PR agencies.
• Identify opportunities across traditional media, broadcast, digital platforms and social channels.
• Monitor media coverage and sector trends to proactively manage reputation and identify opportunities.

Crisis Communications and Strategic Advice

• Develop crisis communications frameworks and policies across the brands.
• Provide communications advice and reporting to senior leadership teams.
• Deliver media training for staff and students.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders across the division and wider GUS group.
• Develop structured stakeholder engagement approaches to support effective communication and collaboration.

Content and Institutional Storytelling

• Establish and maintain a portfolio of written and video case studies focused on student and alumni success.
• Produce corporate communications materials including annual reports and key publications.

Internal Communications and Events

• Develop a division-wide internal communications strategy to support alignment across brands.
• Manage press visits, media engagement and publicity around key events such as graduations and showcases.

Essential

• Degree educated or equivalent professional experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong copywriting ability.
• Experience managing PR agencies and media relationships.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across all levels of an organisation.
• Strong networking, research and analytical skills.
• Experience delivering PR campaigns aligned to organisational objectives.

Experience

• 7–10 years’ experience in PR or communications, gained within agency or in-house roles.
• Experience delivering campaigns across traditional, digital and broadcast media.
• Demonstrable experience of reputation and crisis management in the digital communications environment.
• Experience within a B2C organisation, with some B2B exposure desirable.
• Experience in education, creative industries or communicating with Gen Z audiences is desirable.

Additional Information

• Some UK travel may be required.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to support events and media activity.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement and flexible working arrangements.
• Professional development opportunities and cross-division collaboration.
• Employee wellbeing programmes and support services.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and a supporting statement outlining how you meet the essential criteria. Applications should be made via our online careers portal by the closing date. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

GUS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

We are committed to ensuring our workforce is reflective of our diverse student population, striving to increase the representation of age, disability, gender identity and expression, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background of our employees.

We’re also committed to providing adjustments to those who may require support with the recruitment process - please contact the GUS College Division Talent Acquisition Team [email protected]

Please note: For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.

Our data privacy policy can be viewed here .

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process.

We wish you every success in your job search.