Interim Director of Marketing & Communications

Written By Goldsmiths' Company

The Goldsmiths’ Company seeks to appoint an Interim Director of Marketing & Communications to lead and strengthen how the organisation communicates its work and engages its audiences. This is a senior strategic leadership role, responsible for marketing and communications across the Goldsmiths’ Company, its membership, the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, and the London Assay Office.

 

Reports to

Chief of Staff

Direct report

Head of Communications & Marketing

Team

Marketing and Communications function (3 roles total)

Contract

Part-time, 0.5 FTE (2.5 days per week); fixed term, through December 2026

Place of work

The Goldsmiths’ Company, Goldsmiths’ Hall, London EC2V 6BN

Working hours

 Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:15pm with an hour (unpaid) for lunch.

About the role

The Goldsmiths’ Company seeks to appoint an Interim Director of Marketing & Communications to lead and strengthen how the organisation communicates its work and engages its audiences.

This is a senior strategic leadership role, responsible for marketing and communications across the Goldsmiths’ Company, its membership, the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, and the London Assay Office.

Working closely with the Chief Executive & Clerk, Chief of Staff and senior leadership, the Director will define and maintain a clear, coherent and authoritative voice for the Goldsmiths’ Group — spanning heritage, philanthropy, education and the trade — ensuring communications are aligned with institutional priorities and appropriately positioned within a complex governance environment.

The role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, requiring sound judgement, discretion and the ability to operate with confidence at senior and governance levels, while ensuring delivery to a consistently high standard.

Role overview

The Interim Director provides strategic direction, leadership and governance for the marketing and communications function.

Working through the Head of Marketing & Communications, the Director leads a three-person team, ensuring clarity of structure, accountability and delivery, and establishing a well-managed and disciplined function.

The role serves as senior adviser to leadership and governance bodies on communications, reputation and audience engagement, and requires the ability to navigate and respond to evolving organisational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Narrative, Positioning & Audiences

  • Define and maintain the overarching narrative for the Goldsmiths’ Group

  • Ensure a clear and consistent voice across the Company, Foundation, Membership and Assay Office

  • Identify, segment and prioritise core audiences and ensure communications are appropriately tailored

  • Oversee the development of messaging frameworks to support effective engagement across audiences

  • Ensure positioning reflects the organisation’s role within the wider cultural, civic and trade landscape

Communications Strategy & Delivery

  • Define and oversee delivery of the organisation’s communications strategy

  • Ensure communications activity supports organisational priorities, programmes and partnerships

  • Maintain oversight of campaign planning and execution, ensuring consistency and quality

  • Ensure communications appropriately balance heritage, contemporary relevance and institutional positioning

Institutional Profile, Media & External Engagement

  • Maintain and develop relationships with media, cultural institutions and sector stakeholders

  • Oversee PR strategy, including management of external agencies where appropriate

  • Support senior leadership in public representation and messaging

  • Identify and support opportunities for partnerships that enhance visibility and relevance

  • Act as a spokesperson where required

Governance & Committee Engagement

  • Serve as Secretary to the Marketing & Communications Committee

  • Prepare clear, concise and high-quality papers and reporting for Committee, Court of Assistants and senior leadership

  • Provide considered advice to governance bodies on communications, reputation and audience engagement

  • Maintain oversight of reputational risk, including messaging frameworks and risk tracking

  • Ensure communications activity aligns with governance expectations and institutional priorities

Leadership & Team Management

  • Lead and direct the Marketing & Communications function through the Head of Marketing & Communications

  • Ensure clear roles, responsibilities and accountability across the team (3 roles total)

  • Establish effective structures, processes and ways of working

  • Maintain a focused, collaborative and professional team culture

  • Contribute as a senior leader across the organisation, supporting alignment and delivery

Operational Effectiveness

  • Ensure communications activity is appropriately planned, prioritised and delivered

  • Maintain effective processes and internal coordination across departments

  • Ensure communications support key organisational initiatives and requirements as they arise

Budget & Financial Management

  • Lead strategic budget setting for the Marketing & Communications function

  • Oversee management and allocation of departmental budgets

  • Ensure effective financial oversight, monitoring and reporting

  • Work closely with the Finance team to ensure alignment with organisational processes and controls

Person Specification

Essential

  • Significant senior experience in marketing, communications or cultural leadership roles

  • Demonstrable experience operating effectively within complex organisational or governance structures

  • Strong experience advising senior leadership and contributing at board or committee level

  • Proven ability to lead, structure and manage teams to deliver consistently

  • Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to translate priorities into effective delivery

  • Excellent editorial judgement and clarity of communication

Desirable

  • Experience within cultural, heritage or mission-led organisations

  • Experience leading organisational repositioning or major campaigns

  • Experience managing external PR agencies

  • Knowledge of craft, design or the creative industries

Personal Qualities

  • Absolute discretion in handling confidential and sensitive matters

  • High emotional intelligence, with sensitivity to both historic traditions and contemporary contexts

  • Collaborative leadership style, with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels

  • Adaptability and resilience in managing competing priorities within a complex organisation

  • Flexibility and diversity of thinking

  • Strong personal integrity and professional ethics

  • Commitment to environmental sustainability and to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • Genuine interest in craft and design, heritage and philanthropy

How to apply

Please apply with a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to jobs@thegoldsmiths.co.uk

The deadline for applications is 9am, Monday 30 April 2026.

Goldsmiths' Company