14 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    as soon as possible

  • Closing date

    18 May 2026 at 9am

  • Date listed

    4 May 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Administration, HR, data and finance

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Part time, full time

Contract type

Fixed term

Full-time equivalent salary

£40,777.00 - £41,771.00 Annually (Actual)

Marketing & Communications Manager (Maternity Cover) job summary

An opportunity to lead, shape and make a visible impact

Cumbria Education Trust is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Marketing & Communications to join us on a maternity cover basis at a pivotal point in our Trust’s development.

We know this is a demanding role — and that’s exactly why it’s such a powerful opportunity. This is a chance to step into a senior, influential leadership position, work at Trust scale, and shape how our organisation communicates with its communities, staff and partners.

Whether you are an experienced Head of Comms looking for a high‑impact interim role, or a senior communications professional ready to step up, this is a rare opportunity to lead with autonomy, clarity and purpose.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and hands‑on deliveryacross all aspects of marketing and communications, including:

  • Leading Trust‑wide communications strategy and delivery
  • Supporting schools with reputation, messaging and engagement
  • Overseeing internal communications that connect and engage staff
  • Managing external communications, campaigns and reactive issues
  • Line‑managing and developing the Communications and Engagement team

You will work closely with senior leaders across the Trust, supporting major initiatives, organisational change and ongoing school improvement work.

This is a role with real voice and visibility — not a holding position.

Why This Role Works (Even as Maternity Cover)

We recognise that fixed‑term senior roles must offer something compelling. In return for your expertise, we offer:

  • Trust‑wide scope and senior‑level influence
  • Clear priorities and strong executive support
  • The opportunity to lead, shape and simplify, not just maintain
  • A role that delivers tangible outcomes you can take forward in your career
  • A professional, values‑driven organisation with pace and ambition

For the right candidate, this role offers meaningful leadership experience without a long‑term commitment — ideal for those seeking challenge, stretch and impact.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

  • Has strong experience in marketing, communications or public affairs
  • Is confident operating at a senior, strategic level, while remaining delivery‑focused
  • Brings calm, clarity and professionalism to complex or sensitive communications
  • Enjoys working across multiple stakeholders and settings
  • Is motivated by purpose‑led work and public service values

Experience in education, the public sector or a large organisation is helpful, but not essential.

About Cumbria Education Trust

Cumbria Education Trust is a growing Trust serving communities across Cumbria. We are committed to building strong schools, inclusive communities and high‑quality services that support education. Our Trust Services functions are evolving rapidly to better support our schools, making this an exciting time to join and help shape our future.

This is not a placeholder role. It is an opportunity to lead, influence and leave your mark.

Cumbria Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS disclosure and Barred List checks are required for this post. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, online searches are carried out on successful candidates.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Cumbria Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants for all posts must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post.

All staff members are required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on external website (opens in new tab)

About Cumbria Education Trust

Type
Multi-academy trust

Cumbria Education Trust (CET) is a growing multi academy trust for primary and secondary schools in Cumbria. It was formed in September 2015 in response to an invitation from the Department for Education and is a not-for-profit charitable organisation.

In Cumbria Education Trust pupils and students are at the heart of all decision making – they always come first. We know that a first class education improves the life chances and choices of our young people and we are committed to providing a quality education for all, equipping them for the future.

Our aim is for each Cumbria Education Trust academy to demonstrate consistent year-on-year improvement. Collaboration is key to this; we believe in the importance of working with others to share knowledge and best practice.

By achieving our aim, we can enable every young person to reach their potential and achieve the success they deserve.

Head office location

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