Full Time – Permanent – High Wycombe campus

Salary from £44,746 to £56,535

We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently - because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.

It’s an exciting moment to join us. We’ve appointed a brilliant new director of brand, communications and marketing and are boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.

We’re looking for a Senior Creative Lead who shares our restless drive to cut through a sea of sameness with clarity, courage, and impact. To be the relentless champion of creativity that stands out, in a sector of bland, safe brands.

Someone who leads not follows. Who will drive the creative vision for the University, through exceptional and effective concepts and storytelling. And make BNU’s purpose unmissable in a noisy sector - and prove that a modern university can be both distinctive and effective. No experience of working in higher education? No problem.

This role is about more than creating brochures which gather dust. It’s about shaping the story of a university in transformation. You’ll be one of the architects of how BNU looks, sounds and behaves, ensuring that our brand and marketing output reflect who we are, what we stand for, and the change we’re making in the world.

So, if you’re ready to stand for something bigger than yourself, and help build a university where everyone belongs and everyone thrives – this might just be your moment.

Join us. Be bold. Be different. Be BNU.

What We Offer

• a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
• training & development support opportunities
• contributory pension scheme
• discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
• a range of staff discounts with major retailers

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.

Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.

Please click here to view our employee handbook.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information about this role, please contact Louise Harvey, Chief Impact Officer, by emailing Louise.Harvey@bnu.ac.uk

All applications are to be made in full and online.

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to people@bnu.ac.uk if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.

We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

Closing date: 30 November 2025

Interview Dates: 11th December 2025

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Creative Lead

Directorate: Brand, Communications & Marketing

Grade: H

Location: High Wycombe and hybrid working

Hours: 37

Responsible to: Director of Brand, Communications and Marketing

Responsible for: Creative team covering design, copywriting, motion/video and content creation.

Job Purpose

To lead the creative team and drive the creative vision for the University, making the new brand position a reality through exceptional and effective concepts and storytelling. This role will inspire and oversee the creative team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration while delivering impactful campaigns and storytelling that enhance the university's reputation, supporting organisational strategic objectives.

To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor the creative team, including designers, copywriters, and other creative professionals, ensuring exceptional work is delivered with support from the Creative Services Manager.
• Be the relentless champion of creativity that stands out, in a sector where brands tend towards similar, rather than different, behaviour.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Senior Marketing Manager, Senior Communications Manager and the Digital Lead.
• Oversee the conception, development, and execution of creative projects, including branding, campaigns and multimedia content.
• Collaborate closely with leadership and academic College teams to ensure creative efforts align with institutional strategies, fostering a culture that supports brand creativity.
• Provide clear creative direction and constructive feedback to the creative team, ensuring high-quality outputs that meet or exceed expectations.
• Oversee and prioritise creative timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of creative work.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and creative innovations, maintaining a competitive edge in higher education marketing.
• Draw on creative reference and inspiration from sources beyond the sector, be it cultural, musical, filmic, visual or linguistic.
• Foster brand guardianship in collaboration with senior leads across Communications & Marketing, ensuring consistency and coherence across all visual and verbal communications. Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, vendors, and freelancers as required, ensuring effective collaboration on projects.
• Ensure compliance with copyright laws, brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and legal requirements across all creative outputs.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to evaluate the effectiveness of creative projects, leveraging data to optimise future initiatives.
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Essential Criteria Only

Education, Qualifications & Training

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent professional experience.
• Maths and English GCSE at grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification).

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior creative role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of creative projects and campaigns.
• Deep understanding of branding, marketing, and communication principles.
• Extensive experience working as part of an integrated Communications and Marketing team and working with senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to create engaging content tailored to diverse audiences, consistent with an overall brand position.
• A thorough understanding of digital, social media, print and other media platforms.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in creative and marketing industries.
• Adept at drawing on audience insight to develop relevant and compelling ideas and campaigns.
• Ideally some experience or understanding of higher education or a related field or sector.

Skills

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate.
• Expertise in creative tools and software, including Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant platforms.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts to diverse audiences, including faculty and professional services.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Innovative thinker with the ability to translate ideas into actionable creative strategies.

Behavioural Indicators

The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all university staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the university. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the university. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:

Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.

Working together

Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.