Director of Marketing, Admissions and Engagement - Canford School

This is an exceptional and newly created leadership opportunity for an outstanding individual to lead the external relations activities for this highly successful school.

Salary: in the region of £90,000 to £100,000 pa, depending on skills and experience

Nestled in 250 acres of beautiful Dorset parkland, Canford School is one of the leading co-educational boarding and day schools in the UK educating some 660 pupils aged 13-18. With a commanding reputation built on excellent academic achievement, breadth of education and a fresh lively approach, Canford also offers a superb sports and co-curricular programme which is seen as amongst the best in the independent sector.

This is a truly exciting time to be at Canford - the School is not just full, it is also alive with ambition. The recent announcement of the creation of the Canford Schools Group and the merger with Dumpton School, heralds a bold new phase in Canford's evolution, with several further partnerships anticipated.

This dynamic role will bring together the previously separate functions of Marketing & Communications, Admissions, and Development into a cohesive and collaborative External Relations team. The Director will provide motivational leadership and deliver Canford's strategy for all outward-facing functions. Reporting directly to the Headmaster, this is a pivotal senior leadership role which, will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of both the School and the Canford Group as a whole.

This high profile and exciting leadership position will most likely be suited to either an experienced education professional or an outstanding individual from a commercial background who brings both an instinctive understanding of the independent education landscape and the strategic, relational, and creative skills to thrive in this complex and exciting role.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange an informal and confidential discussion with:

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00am on Monday 1 st December 2025.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on "Apply Now " and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• A completed application form
• A covering letter addressed to the Headmaster, Mr Chris Wheeler. The letter should explain your reasons for applying and suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at: .Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on (0) .

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1st December 2025, 10.00am UK time.

Preliminary Interviews will take place with RSAcademics via Teams between Friday 5th and Wednesday 10th December 2025

Longlist interviews will take place at the School in the week commencing 12th January 2026

Shortlist interviews will be held at the School in the week commencing 19th January 2026.