Fractional CMO, Academic Families
FRACTIONAL CMO JOB · EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS SECTOR · CITY OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
Academic Families is explicitly seeking a fractional Head of Marketing (CMO-level) to lead a small in-house team, shape brand and demand-generation strategy, and report to the MD. The role is embedded but part-time, requires HubSpot fluency, and demands expertise in UHNW/international education marketing. No rate stated; ideal for an experienced fractional CMO or portfolio executive.
The balanced verdict
- Explicitly fractional—employer signals comfort with part-time, autonomous embedded leadership.
- Clear strategic remit (positioning, strategy, demand-gen) alongside team management; not hollow title.
- Niche expertise valued — UHNW/international family marketing, education/professional services sector.
- Small, intact team (Design Apprentice + team); scope is manageable and defined.
- HubSpot-led automation gives clear KPIs; marketing-to-revenue alignment is explicit.
- Days-per-week not quantified—clarify expected presence (2–3 days typical for fractional CMO?); on-site preference may indicate more than optimal.
- "Comfortable operating fractionally" is candidate requirement, not a guarantee of flexibility; could indicate employer experimenting with fractional model.
- International expansion (SE Asia, LATAM, Africa) could demand more travel/presence than assumed.
- 10+ years digital marketing is standard junior CMO gate; niche UHNW/education experience is the real filter.
The posting in full
Academic Families needs senior marketing leadership to build and run the function day to day: developing strategy alongside the Head of Business Development, and managing and developing a small in-house team. The role requires credibility marketing to global, international UHNW families, and a working understanding of both the education sector and services-based/consultancy business models. Key Responsibilities
- Assess current marketing capability, determine what the team needs, and recruit to fill any gaps; manage and develop the team including workload planning, coaching, and performance.
- Develop marketing strategy jointly with the Head of Business Development, aligned to regional growth priorities across SE Asia, LATAM and Africa.
- Own positioning and brand for a premium, relationship-led guardianship and admissions consultancy serving UHNW international families.
- Set and oversee the content and demand-generation plan, executed through the team's HubSpot capability.
- Direct design output and brand consistency via the Design Apprentice, in line with brand standards.
- Translate business priorities into marketing plans and campaign calendars.
- Report on marketing performance to the MD, connecting activity to pipeline and revenue outcomes.
- High degree of HubSpot automation and use across BD and Marketing functions
Experience required
- Proven marketing leadership experience, ideally at CMO / Head of Marketing level, including managing and developing a small team.
- Direct experience marketing to global/international UHNW audiences — understands the discretion, trust-building and relationship dynamics this requires.
- Experience in education and/or professional services marketing; international schools, boarding, admissions or guardianship experience is a strong plus.
- Comfortable operating fractionally — able to embed quickly, work autonomously, and prioritise without full-time presence.
- Working fluency with HubSpot (or equivalent CRM/marketing automation) sufficient to direct and quality-check the team's or 3rd party consultant’s / output.
Academic Families is a Safer Recruiter and safeguarding is at the forefront of everything we do. All individuals who work with Academic Families have an important role to play in creating a positive and safe environment for our students. We recognise our responsibility to protect children, to recognise the possible signs of abuse and neglect, radicalisation and extremism; and if there is cause for concern, to report any safeguarding and child protection concerns to our Child Protection Officer (CPO) or the Managing Director if the CPO is unavailable.
Qualifications Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Marketing 10+ years' in digital marketing Excellent written and verbal communication skills Excellent multitasking and project management skills
Other fractional jobs in Education Administration Programs
Featured fractional mandates
Browse every fractional leadership role
Tell us what you're actually looking for.
Browse every live UK fractional and interim mandate — day-rate transparent, verified live, and flagged when a role is worth a fractional pitch.