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Marketing and Communications Director, China
Role Purpose
The Marketing and Communications Director will lead the development and implementation of the integrated marketing and communications strategy and plans for China, ensuring alignment to the global marketing strategy and brand. The post holder will work in partnership with the Exams and Cultural Engagement businesses to ensure that marketing and comms activity enables business growth, delivers impact and operates efficiently and effectively.
Main Accountabilities But Not Limited To The Following
- Leads the development and execution of China's integrated marketing and communications strategy and plans that resonates with local audiences and is aligned against business objectives
- Leads the effective use of digital channels (SEO, PPC, Private domain expertise) and spearheads digital transformation projects with an aim to improve the customer experience and drive conversions
- Stays on top of China market trends, audience insights and emerging opportunities incorporating into strategies
- Applies authoritative knowledge of marketing, and a first principles understanding of presenting problems, to solve a range of complex marketing challenges.
- Reviews specified, multi-faceted marketing problems and issues, integrating, analysing and interpreting complex and diverse information to develop and implement new or cutting-edge solutions.
- Partner with global and local colleagues to ensure strategic alignment in messaging across China's business units and partnerships.
- Seek to align and optimise the China portfolio across Exams and Cultural Engagement and identify opportunities to promote holistic 'One British Council' narrative
- Conducts monthly and year-end reporting on income and expenditure, and risk, and actively apply learning from this process to improve financial planning, management and performance within their area.
- Analyses potential costs/benefits over a 1-3-year time horizon and uses these insights to inform their decision-making and provision of advice.
- Leads, shapes, develops and evaluates the marketing and communications function for China to ensure it informs drives and supports the global strategic objectives of the organisation in a flexible, cost-effective way including resource/financial management.
Requirements Of The Role
- Degree or professional qualification in marketing, communications or business or demonstrable level of equivalent experience
- Extensive B2C and B2B Marketing experience with a history of leading data-driven growth initiatives
- Proven leadership skills building and high-performing marketing and communications function within a large and complex organisation
- Expert knowledge of the China market and the context the British Council operates in
- Demonstrable experience in managing significant budgets, delivering ROI and mitigating risks and issues
- Results orientated with a start-up ethos and pace in delivery
- Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese is an advantage
- The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English at C1 level is required.
Desirable Experience & Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant field, e.g. marketing and communications and business studies or demonstrable level of equivalent experience
- Experience of marketing and comms for education sector products
Role Specific Skills
CIM Marketing Competencies
Strategy (Level 5)
- Formulates strategy Promotes a strong customer focus and influences strategy formulation and corporate investment decisions
Integrated marketing communications (Level 5)
- Develops integrated marketing communications Leads and directs the development of an integrated marketing strategy to communicate with all stakeholders
Digital Integration (Level 5)
- Influences digital strategy within the organisation in terms of its impact on structure, culture and strategic plans
Additional Information
Pay Band: LMFG (10)
Contract Type:
Indefinite
Location:
Beijing, China
Right to Work Requirements:
Current right to work in China. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date:
Applications will close on Sunday 19 October, 2025 at 22:59 UK Time
- Please note applications must be in English
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
Safeguarding Statement
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council's Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email