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Job Related Information
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will
need to provide with your application.
1. Role Details
Vacancy reference
12955
Job title:
Insight Manager
Reports to:
Senior Insight Manager
Salary:
£39,324 to £46,924 per annum
Terms and conditions:
Academic-Related
Grade
GR8
Duration of post:
Permanent
Working hours:
37 hours per week
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
12 noon on 18 November 2016
Type of application form accepted:
Short application form, CV and covering letter
Number of referees required:
Three
Unit recruitment contact:
[email protected]
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2. Summary of duties
The role holder is a specialist manager in the Marketing Insight and Proposition team within the Marketing Team with
responsibility for enabling the University to meet its business targets though the development and implementation of The
Open University marketing and brand strategy and providing credible and actionable insights (market and marketing)
through the triangulation of primary and secondary research
This core member of The Open University Marketing Team provides a top quality research and insight service and
collaborates effectively with senior managers of stakeholder groups (eg colleagues in the MU, University Faculty Heads,
Directors, Communications Team, Strategy Office, Business Development Unit, and Student Services)
STRATEGY
Support the Head of Marketing - Insight and Proposition in the creation and implementation of the annual and long-term
marketing and brand strategies
BRAND
•
Provide data and/or research support as required for The Open University Brand Health Monitor and
development of brand strategy
CUSTOMER PROPOSITION DEVELOPMENT
•
Work with Proposition and Customer Experience teams to develop Undergraduate and Postgraduate proposition
strategies
•
Proactively identify customer and market opportunities from ongoing work – drawing conclusions from across
research activity, communicating recommendations to relevant parties and spearheading the development of initiatives
INSIGHT AND RESEARCH
•
Play a key role in driving the strategic brand and insights agenda across the wider Open University, acting as the
customer champion and ensuring that credible insights are at the heart of all strategic activity
•
Production and maintenance of insights, competitor, customer, market and other research collateral, ensuring
relevant research is constantly refreshed and readily available
•
Provision of research and insights services for wider University strategic projects as required
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Bespoke research projects as required
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Contribute to the up-keep of The Open University research and insights library
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Keep up-to-date with developments in consumer and sector research, pioneer innovation through new ways of
working.
•
Develop specific research briefs for internal and external commissions, employing the most up-to-date methods,
delivering ad hoc projects in line with the wider needs of The Open University
MARKET ANALYSIS
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Support interpretation of market trends data (e.g. Higher Education Statistics Agency data) highlighting issues and
making recommendations as appropriate
•
Maintain a good knowledge of the competitor set and communicate relevant market developments taking
appropriate action as needed
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
•
Establish relationships with key University stakeholders, leveraging these to influence successfully strategy and
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decision-making
•Be a central ‘go-to’ and key support for senior managers within the MU, providing the right information made available at
the right time
•Participate in cross function working groups, representing the Marketing Strategy, Brand and Insights team as appropriate
•Develop and nurture relationships with external research suppliers and key marketing agencies to ensure delivery to the
highest quality standards
RISK AND ISSUE MANAGEMENT
•Proactively identify risks and issues in respect of achieving targets
•Proactively and collaboratively perform root cause analysis and identify mitigation actions and/or resolutions
•Document effectively
COMMUNICATIONS
•Forges and nurture strong working relationships with key managers across The Open University providing support and
challenging where appropriate
•Work collaboratively with Marketing and other colleagues to ensure alignment with University, Marketing Team and
related business objectives
•Build and develop positive relationships with stakeholders to ensure buy-in and actionable proposals and
recommendations
LEADERSHIP
•There are no formal reporting lines to this post; however, each Insight Manager will be asked to manage relationships
with a large number of stakeholders across the University
3. Person specification
Requirements (E = Essential/ D = Desirable)
Education, qualifications and training
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A relevant degree or equivalent higher education qualification
Desirable: A relevant professional marketing qualification in research and/or marketing (eg CIM diploma)
Knowledge, work and other relevant experience
Essential:
Experience in a brand marketing or insight role within a large consumer-facing organisation or equivalent
experience gained within an agency environment
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Substantial experience of generating market intelligence and insights (using research, numerical and
statistical data) to inform strategic decision making in a large and complex organisation
Experienced in teams involved in the creation of marketing strategy using actionable insights to shape
successful plans
Evidence of involvement in developing highly successful brand and marketing strategy for a major
brand
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
Desirable:
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Able to demonstrate insight development to support development and implementation of new
products, services and business plans in a comparable complex business environment
Evidence of ability to set priorities and exercise judgment within the area of responsibility
Proven experience of organising a busy and heavy project workload
Evidence of ability to manage multiple projects
Experience of budget setting and tracking
Extensive and effective PowerPoint and Excel skills
Knowledge and experience of product management tools and techniques used to develop product
strategies, preferably within the education sector or alternatively within a comparable industry
Personal abilities and qualities
Essential:
An experienced insight and research specialist who is passionate about marketing, insight, brands and The
Open University and its customers

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An excellent, all-round people manager with high EQ and interpersonal skills (including strong
negotiating and influencing skills) to develop excellent relationships with colleagues and senior
stakeholders from across The Open University
An inspiring thinker with an analytical approach to problem solving
Able to innovate and think out of the box
Creator of excellent briefs and reports,
Able to set own (and team) objectives
Self-reliant and determined approach to duties
Outcome and results driven
A strong communicator at all levels with excellent communication skills including presentation and
written skills to develop and promote business cases and project plans
Persuasive and highly credible and able to package and present ideas in a compelling way appropriate
to the audience – internal, external and partners
High degree of flexibility in attitude to work
Inclusive
Team player
Fair and consistent in approach
Well-developed influencing skills
Highly collaborative
Passionate about the value of insight, marketing and advertising - an evangelist and ambassador for
marketing around the University
Enthusiastic about success and performance
Resilient and entrepreneurial
Dynamic and fast paced
Thirst for knowledge - innovative, creative and curious
All staff are expected to
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Undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required
Demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
UK and some travel (very limited)
5. About the unit/department
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The Open University Marketing Team’s role is to build even further on our well-known and respected brand’s reputation as
a world leading educator that delivers life-changing learning opportunities and to recruit new students each year.
We have five teams
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Acquisition and Brand
Customer Experience and Digital Operations
Insight and Proposition
CRM and Data Analytics
Brand Strategy
To maintain our successful position in the market we are recruiting experienced and passion marketers to join the team.
We need to expand our competency and resources as we strive for ever better performance from our advertising and
communications in today’s complex and fascinating marketing environments.
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact Peter
Shreeve on 01908 332069 or email: [email protected]
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact [email protected]
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application
reaches the University by:
12 noon 18 November 2016
E-mail your application to:
[email protected]
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired
by:
Peter Shreeve
The other members of the
interview panel will be:
TBC
The interviews will take place on:
w/c 5 December 2016 (tbc)
The selection process for this post
will include
A pre-interview task
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We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted
for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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