Interim Head of Marketing & Communications (14 month maternity cover)

We’re looking for an experienced, commercially minded marketing generalist to lead Marketing & Communications during a period of growth. This is an expansive, hands-on leadership role that touches every area of the business and involves working directly with external clients and partners. The role will be a 14 month fixed term maternity cover. You will turn business priorities into practical delivery that supports customer engagement, commercial opportunities, and growth. You will bring broad marketing and communications experience, operational discipline and sound judgement, working across Sales, Commercial and the wider business to set priorities and get work delivered. You are not expected to do everything yourself or be a specialist in every discipline. Success means knowing when to roll up your sleeves, what to delegate and where to bring in specialist expertise, balancing cost and capability as the business grows. As a trusted adviser to the CEO and senior leadership team, you will connect strategy with day-to-day delivery. Because of the nature of this work: • You will be required to travel to our Summertown, Oxford office regularly, ideally 1-2 times per week, attend client sites and attend events both in the UK and internationally. • You will need to hold existing or be eligible for UK Security Checked Vetting (SC), details of which can be found on the Gov UK website. Key responsibilities: Marketing strategy, planning and performance • Deliver Mind Foundry’s marketing and communications strategy in support of company and commercial priorities. • Translate business objectives into focused plans, campaigns, budgets and measurable outcomes. • Establish clear priorities for the function and direct resources towards activity with the strongest strategic and commercial value. • Monitor and report on campaign effectiveness, audience engagement, website performance, lead quality and contribution to commercial opportunities. • Manage the marketing budget, external suppliers, and agency relationships, and maintain an effective operating rhythm for the function. Brand, positioning and external communications • Own Mind Foundry’s brand, positioning and messaging architecture. • Ensure communications are clear, credible and appropriate for Defence and National Security customers, partners, investors, government, and prospective employees. • Lead PR, media engagement, thought leadership, and product marketing. • Maintain brand consistency across digital channels, presentations, events, partner materials, recruitment activity, and internal communications. • Coordinate sensitive external comments, interviews and information requests, ensuring claims are evidenced, and customer or partner confidentiality is protected. Content, digital channels and campaigns • Lead high-quality content including website copy, case studies, partner marketing, thought leadership, and social content. • Own the website as a strategic marketing, commercial and employer-brand channel. • Develop integrated campaigns for priority capabilities, markets, partnerships, and events. • Ensure customer stories, programme evidence, and operational proof points are used appropriately and with the necessary permissions. Internal communications and organisational alignment • Own Mind Foundry’s internal communications approach, working closely with People and Operations teams, so employees understand company priorities, decisions, progress and upcoming activity. • Continue to drive clear communication rhythms across leadership updates, company meetings, Teams, email and internal content. • Plan and run quarterly all-company onsites, coordinating agendas, workshops, and logistics, alongside summer and Christmas parties that bring the team together.