Find the leader who can champion your school’s story and turn interest into enrolment.

From first impression to final decision, the right leader of your marketing, admissions and communications functions can transform your school’s visibility, narrative and enrolment pipeline. 

We help schools appoint leaders who not only understand the importance of brand and communications but who lead strategic campaigns, manage teams with confidence and deliver measurable results. 

Whether you need someone to boost your brand, overhaul admissions strategy or shape a more joined-up experience for families, we’ll help you appoint a leader who can make a lasting impact. 

Helping you appoint leaders who drive growth and reputation 

At RSAcademics, we understand that successful marketing and admissions leaders don’t just generate enrolments, they shape reputation, steer strategy and foster lasting confidence in your school’s offer. 

Personalised, evidence-led appointments

Every appointment is different and we shape our process to reflect your school’s context, culture and ambition. We provide clarity, expert advice and warm, rigorous support at every stage. 

Our typical service includes: 

Appointments that drive reputation, recruitment and retention

We’ve helped schools across the UK and internationally appoint senior marketing, communications and admissions leaders who deliver strategic value. Our work spans schools of all sizes – from long-established schools to growing international schools. 

We support the appointment of: 

• Directors or Heads of Marketing 

• Directors or Heads of Admissions

• Directors of Communications

FAQs

Do you only work with schools? Yes. We are a specialist executive search firm focused entirely on the education sector. Every member of our team understands the realities of school life, leadership, and governance – because we’ve either worked in schools ourselves or supported them extensively. That insight shapes every stage of our process. 

How far does your candidate reach extend? 
Our reach is both national and international. We work with schools across the UK and around the world, and we’re able to tap into a wide network of leadership and marketing professionals. Our global presence and longstanding relationships across the education sector mean we can connect you with exceptional talent wherever you are – and wherever your next leader might be. 

Do you only consider candidates from within education? 
Not at all. While many of our candidates have worked in or with schools, we frequently appoint professionals from outside the sector – including from charities, higher education, financial services, professional services and global brands. We focus on transferable leadership skills, shared values and the ability to thrive in a school setting. Our goal is always to find someone who brings both expertise and fresh perspective to your specific context. 

How do you find candidates – do you rely on advertising or CV databases? 
Our search is highly proactive. While we may advertise roles, most of the candidates we place are identified through direct outreach and recommendation. We invest significant time in understanding your school, the leadership challenge, and who is likely to thrive. Many of the people we approach aren’t actively looking but they are open to the right opportunity. 

What makes your recruitment process different? 
We combine deep educational understanding with rigorous executive search expertise. Our process is evidence-led, structured and bespoke but also thoughtful and human. We look well beyond CVs, using diagnostic tools and tailored interviews to assess leadership strengths, communication styles and alignment with your goals. 

How do you ensure alignment with our values and community? 
We take time to understand what makes your school distinctive – your values, vision, community context and future ambitions. This shapes how we brief candidates, conduct interviews and assess alignment. We’re focused on helping you appoint someone who will contribute positively to your school’s culture and bring the insight, empathy and leadership needed to thrive in your specific environment. 

Can you find candidates from outside the education sector? 
Yes – we would expect to provide our clients with candidates from a broad range of professional backgrounds. Particularly for marketing and admissions roles, we draw from adjacent sectors such as charities, global brands, universities and professional services. We look for candidates with transferable leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a clear ability to adapt to the unique dynamics of school life. 

What experience do your consultants bring? 
Alongside trained executive search consultants, our team includes former Heads, senior school leaders and experienced marketing, admissions and communications professionals. This blend means we understand both the strategic context and the day-to-day realities of school leadership. We know what to look for and what questions to ask. 

How do you support candidates during the process? 
We’re known for the care we take with candidates. We keep them well-informed, offer space for in-depth conversations, and provide honest, respectful feedback. This supports your school’s reputation and ensures a positive experience for everyone involved – whether they’re appointed or not. 

Can you support us after the appointment is made? 
Absolutely. We offer onboarding advice and leadership coaching to help new appointees build early momentum. We can also provide strategic advice for marketing and admissions, helping your new leader make the strongest possible start. 

Whatever stage you’re at in defining the role, we can help shape the brief and find the right leader. 

Talk to us about finding a leader who will grow your school’s reach and reputation.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your brand, strengthen your admissions pipeline or bring fresh strategic thinking into your senior team, we’ll help you appoint someone who delivers. Let’s work together to make your next appointment count.

Let’s start the conversation