Job Description

About SPARK Schools
SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa's first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.
The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalised education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.
SPARK Schools is a high-growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools, 5 high schools and serving over 16,000 families in 2025. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.
SPARK values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness
ABOUT THE ROLE
Purpose:
The Marketing Officer supports the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, ensures production and delivery of quality marketing collateral, and manages relationships with vendors and agencies to maintain brand consistency. This role contributes to the enrolment and retention goals of SPARK Schools by supporting brand visibility, lead generation, and stakeholder engagement.
A key function of this role is to bring a strong consumer insights lens to all marketing efforts, ensuring campaigns are rooted in a data-driven understanding of customer behaviour, motivations, and needs.
Reports to: Head of Marketing
Responsibilities:
Campaign Execution & Brand Support

• Assist in the development and roll-out of integrated marketing campaigns across all schools.
• Coordinate day-to-day execution of marketing plans across multiple platforms (digital, print, outdoor, etc.).
• Ensure that all communication and materials are aligned with brand guidelines.

Consumer Insights & Research

• Lead and support consumer research initiatives to uncover trends, pain points, and motivations of current and prospective parents.
• Translate insights into actionable recommendations for messaging, targeting, and campaign development.
• Work closely with the Head of Marketing to ensure all strategic outputs reflect a clear understanding of the SPARK customer base.

Agency and Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with advertising and media agencies to deliver projects on time and on budget.
• Oversee production processes with suppliers and vendors to ensure quality and consistency of marketing outputs.

Marketing Collateral Production

• Project manage the creation and delivery of signage, printed collateral, branded merchandise, and campaign-specific assets.
• Collaborate with designers, printers, and other suppliers to ensure timely delivery.

Internal Team Support & Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with the Enrolment and Retentions teams to support initiatives that drive family acquisition and retention.
• Liaise with school leaders and support functions to coordinate marketing requirements and campaign support at the ground level.

Performance Monitoring

• Track campaign performance and monitor key metrics, assisting with reporting and analysis.
• Make data-informed suggestions to optimise spend and campaign reach.

Budget Management

• Ensures that the budget spent on campaigns is optimised for ROI
• Negotiates with vendors within the scope for cost-effective products and services
• Continuously tracks Actual Spend vs Budgeted Spend

Requirements
Qualifications and Criteria:
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• A degree or diploma in marketing, advertising, communications or a related field - post-graduate qualification advantageous
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in marketing or a closely related field
• Experience managing advertising and media agencies is non-negotiable
• Experience managing production projects essential (print, digital, TV, radio etc.)
• Experience overseeing brand perception research and satisfaction tracking
• Experience in Digital Marketing, including campaign set up, analytics and performance optimisation
• Basic Graphic Design skills and ability to work with design tools such as Canva advantageous

Competencies:

• Operational excellence and attention to detail
• Strong customer orientation and stakeholder management
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Strong capability in consumer insight development and using data to drive marketing decisions
• Fast learner with the ability to adjust in a dynamic environment
• Team-oriented, collaborative mindset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of marketing performance metrics and ROI focus
• Strong project and time management skills
• Comfortable managing multiple deadlines and deliverables

Benefits
SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Remuneration: Commensurate with skills and experience/market value
Position Type: Permanent/Full Time
Location: Rosebank, Gauteng
SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company's Employment Equity goals and targets.
SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.
Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.