Dainfern College seeks Marketing Manager to enhance brand by 1 January 2026, apply by 22 October 2025

Dainfern College, an independent English-medium co-educational school located north of Fourways in Johannesburg, is seeking a dynamic and innovative Marketing Manager to join their Advancement department. This exciting full-time position is set to commence on 1 January 2026, and the successful candidate will be instrumental in enhancing the College’s brand, fostering community engagement, and supporting student recruitment efforts. If you are a creative and strategic thinker with a passion for marketing in the education sector, you can find more details and apply for this opportunity through the original vacancy listing at https://www.isasa.org/vacancies/listing/marketing-manager-7/.

Detailed list of vacancy key details

• Institution: Dainfern College
• Position: Marketing Manager
• Location: Broadacres Drive, Dainfern, north of Fourways, Johannesburg
• Start Date: 1 January 2026
• Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 22 October 2025
• Application Contact: Ms Lindokuhle Sithole, Head of Advancement
• Email for Applications: [email protected]
• Required Subject Line for Email: ‘Marketing Manager’
• Notification of Short-listing: If you have not heard from the College by 10 November 2025, please assume your application was unsuccessful.
• Affiliation: Member of the international network of Round Square schools.
• Curriculum: Caters for Grades 0-12, offering IEB Matric as the Grade 12 exit exam.

Simple summary of the vacancy

Dainfern College, a Christian-ethos school focused on developing life skills, creative thinking, and leadership through quality education, is looking for a Marketing Manager. This role is crucial for promoting the College’s brand, increasing community involvement, and supporting student enrolment. Reporting to the Head of Advancement, the Marketing Manager will be responsible for a wide range of marketing activities.

Key responsibilities include developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies to boost the College’s visibility and reputation, acting as a brand ambassador, and creating innovative campaigns that align with the school’s strategic goals. The role also involves managing advertising across various media, liaising with agencies and media partners, and coordinating press releases for College events and achievements.

A significant part of the job is managing the College’s digital presence, which includes social media, the website, and other online platforms. The Marketing Manager will create engaging multimedia content showcasing school life and student successes. Event marketing is also important, working with the team to promote College events, support community partnerships, and capture event highlights through photography and videography, as well as managing event booking platforms.

Content creation is another core function, requiring the production of high-quality marketing materials such as brochures and digital content, and maintaining content calendars. The role also involves monitoring campaign performance, social engagement, and website traffic, providing insights, and preparing regular reports with recommendations for improvement. Finally, the Marketing Manager is expected to collaborate across departments to support enrolment and events, contributing to a positive and creative team culture.

The ideal candidate will hold a relevant tertiary qualification in marketing or communications and have at least three years of marketing experience, with a preference for experience within the private school sector. Strong organisational skills, expertise in digital marketing, content creation, analytics, event management, and brand strategy are essential. Experience in managing external suppliers and budgets, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills, is also required. Candidates should be forward-thinking, innovative, committed to the College’s values, and willing to work evenings and weekends for school events.

Dainfern College offers a competitive remuneration package, excellent facilities, and a supportive working environment. The College is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to employment equity, making appointments in line with its Transformation strategies. Furthermore, the College reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found, so timely applications are encouraged.

How to apply for this post

• Prepare a full Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Write a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.
• Include the names and contact numbers of three professional referees.
• Email all documents to [email protected].
• Address your application to the Head of Advancement, Ms Lindokuhle Sithole.
• Ensure the subject line of your email is ‘Marketing Manager’.
• Submit your application by the closing date of Wednesday 22 October 2025.
• Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted. If you have not received a response from the College by 10 November 2025, consider your application unsuccessful.

Potential candidate questions and advice

• Q: What does “dynamic and innovative” mean in this context?
  A: This suggests the College is looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas, adapt to new marketing trends, and proactively drive engagement, rather than just maintaining existing strategies. Show examples of your creative and forward-thinking campaigns in your application.
• Q: How important is experience in the private school sector?
  A: The vacancy states it’s a “distinct advantage,” meaning while not strictly mandatory, it would certainly make your application stand out. If you don’t have it, highlight transferable skills from similar client-facing or community-focused marketing roles.
• Q: What kind of “strategic thinking” are they looking for?
  A: They want someone who can link marketing efforts directly to the College’s broader goals, such as enrolment numbers and reputation. Demonstrate how your past strategies have achieved measurable organisational objectives.
• Q: Will I need to manage a team?
  A: The description mentions “working collaboratively across all areas of the school” and “contributing to a positive, creative, and solutions-focused team culture,” but it doesn’t explicitly state direct line management of staff. Focus on your collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Q: How can I demonstrate my understanding of the College’s ethos?
  A: Research Dainfern College’s website (http://www.dainferncollege.co.za) to understand their Christian ethos, focus on respect, and commitment to developing skills for life. Weave this understanding into your cover letter.
• Q: What are the expectations for social media and digital marketing?
  A: High. The role specifically requires managing digital presence, creating engaging multimedia content, monitoring analytics, and providing insights. Be prepared to showcase your portfolio of successful digital campaigns and your analytical skills.
• Q: What does “manage external suppliers, agencies, and a defined budget” entail?
  A: This means you’ll be responsible for selecting and overseeing external partners (like advertising agencies or photographers) and ensuring all marketing activities stay within allocated financial limits. Highlight any project management or budget oversight experience you have.
• Q: How can I make my application stand out if I’m not short-listed immediately?
  A: While the College reserves the right to make an early appointment, submitting a well-structured CV and a compelling cover letter that directly addresses the requirements and showcases your unique skills and passion for education marketing is your best approach. Tailor your application specifically to Dainfern College.
• Q: What if I have experience in other education sectors, but not private schools?
  A: Emphasise how your experience in promoting educational institutions, engaging with students/parents, or managing community relations is directly transferable. Focus on the core marketing skills requested, as they are universal.
• Q: What kind of commitment is required for working evenings and weekends?
  A: School events often occur outside of regular hours, such as open days, sports matches, or cultural performances. The College needs someone flexible and committed to capturing and promoting these important aspects of school life. Be prepared to confirm your availability.

Institution details

• Name of School: Dainfern College
• Website: http://www.dainferncollege.co.za
• Address: Broadacres Drive, Dainfern, north of Fourways, Johannesburg

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