Hi, I’m
Adam Bird
Cheadle Hulme ,Stockport
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in marketing and communications, strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement. Demonstrates exceptional skills in relationship management, community engagement, and partnership development. Committed to creating opportunities and an inclusive environment where colleagues and students can thrive , regardless of upbringing, differences, or disabilities.
Overview
23
years of professional experience
7
years of post-secondary education
1
Certification
Work History
Priestley CollegeWarrington, Cheshire
Head of Marketing & Communications
09.2022 - 02.2025
Job overview
- Strategic and budgetary responsibility for Recruitment & Admissions, Marketing & Communications, PR, Design & Print, Schools Liaison, Alumni, and Employer Engagement & Careers Guidance functions.
- Direct student recruitment and marketing activities including admissions, enrolment, open events, guidance interviews, taster events, and new student welcome days.
- Increased student enrolments by 20% in 3 years.
- Negotiated improved advertising and sponsorship prices to reduce annual multi-channel campaign costs by 12%Manage high profile visits (e.g. MPs/Ministers/National Press) and crisis communications, informing major incident and recovery plans.
- Prepare learner projections to inform strategy and curriculum development, drawing on market intelligence to formulate data-driven segmentation strategies to refine marketing efforts and meet widening participation priorities (inc. ILR, RCU Vector, Lightcast LMI, Sixth Form College, and HESA data).
- Implemented SEO tactics that improved organic search rankings, leveraging analytics tools to gauge campaign effectiveness and optimise social media, digital advertising, web content and landing page performance.
- Forged strong strategic partnerships with stakeholders and key influencers that have boosted brand endorsement and work experience and progression opportunities for students, including HEI's, feeder schools, external agencies, parents, industry, government departments, local charities, and community groups.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships via effective CRM systems management.
- Oversee successful achievement of careers education quality standards (e.g. QuICS / Matrix Standard), to ensure that all students receive high-quality information, advice and guidance (IAG) services to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Streamlined internal communications processes, including introduction of a college app and staff gateway SharePoint site to enhance staff engagement, internal information flow, and cross-department collaboration and productivity.
- Represent the College on The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) Aspirations & CEIAG and Transition strategic hubs, coordinating strategies with the Trust's 12 secondary and primary academies to maximise attainment, progression, and positive outcomes.
- Collaborate with curriculum, pastoral, and operations teams to devise innovative marketing, communications, conversion and CEIAG strategies to improve brand awareness and meet college targets and national and regional skills priorities.
- Introduced process changes resulting in more effective admissions and enrolment operations and improved applicant to enrolment conversion.
- Represent SLT on the Pledge Board, and LEP's Data and Labour Market Steering Group and at regional and national conferences and other external stakeholder events.
- Strategic Lead for T Level qualification development.
- Tender and bid management for a range of college-wide projects.
- Plan revenue generation activities designed for growth and college development.
Priestley CollegeWarrington , Cheshire
Marketing, Admissions & IAG Manager
09.2018 - 08.2022
Job overview
- Developed College marketing, admissions and careers guidance strategies.
- Managed Marketing, Communications, School Liaison, Admissions, and Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) teams.
- Ensured labour market intelligence (LMI) supports CEIAG and curriculum development.
- Conducted quality assurance and quality improvement procedures, with specific responsibility for quality assuring the admissions and CEIAG functions.
- Managed the launch and development of T-Level qualifications.
- Led performance reviews, identified areas for improvement.
- Handled negotiations with outside vendors and service agencies.
- Represented the college at seminars, conferences and business networking events to develop industry partnerships to support students (e.g. work experience placements).
- Delivered training to further develop staff based on college admissions, careers education goals.
Priestley CollegeWarrington, Warrington
Marketing & Admissions Manager
09.2007 - 08.2018
Job overview
- Developed the College Marketing Plan.
- Reviewed, managed and developed college admissions processes.
- Managed marketing, communications, school liaison, and admissions teams.
- Led marketing and admissions activities including website development, communications and public relations, digital engagement, market research, competitor analysis, and school liaison activities.
- Implemented and evaluated all student recruitment, admissions, and marketing events.
- Prepared recruitment and admissions reports for Senior and College Management teams and Governors.
- Budgetary responsibility for the college marketing budget.
Priestley CollegeWarrington, Cheshire
Business Development Manager
08.2006 - 08.2007
Job overview
- Led on the development and delivery of employer engagement and income-generating activities.
- Designed and delivered leadership, management, and soft skills training.
- Grew annual revenue by 20% in one year through diversification and targeted marketing strategies.
- Secured new business opportunities by cultivating strong relationships with potential clients.
- Managed all cost centre income and expenditure.
- Contacted and converted potential customers via telephone, email and in-person enquiries.
- Recruited a pool of specialist consultants to enhance team capabilities.
- Conducted training needs analysis and developing costed training plans on behalf of clients
- Managed quality assurance systems and procedures.
- Coordinated paid marketing campaigns on different platforms, carefully overseeing results to deliver maximum ROI.
- Represented the college at exhibitions and conventions..
- Maintained client records in bespoke CRM systems.
Self EmployedCheadle Hulme , Stockport
Management Development Trainer
04.2005 - 07.2006
Job overview
- Held a variety of contracts to design and deliver Leadership & Management training.
- Organised delivery of specialised training in liaison with external service providers.
- North of England Business Excellence Awards Assessor.
- Developed effective training manuals, modules and teaching aids.
- Facilitated high-quality workshops, meetings and demonstrations.
- Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Diploma Trainer.
- Acting Business Development and Training Consultant for Priestley College.
Priestley CollegeWarrington , Cheshire
Business Studies Teacher (Maternity Contract)
09.2004 - 04.2005
Job overview
- Taught AS Business Studies, AVCE Business Studies and GNVQ Intermediate Business Studies.
- Coordinated educational trips and visits, broadened students' business exposure and understanding.
- Assessed student progress, provided constructive feedback.
- Designed innovative teaching techniques that earned positive feedback by college management.
Park Lane CollegeLeeds, Yorkshire
Programme Manager (CIPS)
08.2002 - 09.2004
Job overview
- Managed the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply Graduate Diploma.
- Upgraded the CIPS Graduate Diploma to a ‘Highly Commended' approval status.
- Coordinated the launch of the Business School.
- NVQ Assessor for Level 3/4 Management Certificate Programmes.
- Taught on the CIPS Graduate Diploma, ILM & CMI Leadership & Management Certificates & Diplomas, CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice, Foundation Degree and HND in Business, A-Level Business Studies.
Education
Cambridge Marketing CollegeManchester
CIM Professional Diploma from Marketing Level 6
01.2013 - 06.2015
Park Lane CollegeLeeds
Assessing candidates using a range of methods from A1
09.2003 - 06.2004
University of HuddersfieldHuddersfield
PGCE from Education (PGCE) in Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET)
09.2001 - 06.2002
University of SalfordSalford
Bachelor of Science from BSc (Hons) Quality Management
09.1999 - 06.2001
University of SalfordSalford
H.N.D. from Quality Management (Distinction)
09.1997 - 06.1999
Skills
- Marketing and communications
- Strategic leadership
- Collaborative leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Relationship management
- Community engagement
- Partnership development
- Reputation management
- Outreach programmes
- Safeguarding knowledge
- Emotional intelligence
- Networking abilities
Certification
Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM) (Membership No. 14438211)
Association of College and School Leaders (ASCL) (Membership No. 151171)
College Marketing Network
Affiliations
- Outdoor Pursuits
- Reading
- Running
- Volunteering
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Marketing & Communications
Priestley College
09.2022 - 02.2025
Marketing, Admissions & IAG Manager
Priestley College
09.2018 - 08.2022
Cambridge Marketing College
CIM Professional Diploma from Marketing Level 6
01.2013 - 06.2015
Marketing & Admissions Manager
Priestley College
09.2007 - 08.2018
Business Development Manager
Priestley College
08.2006 - 08.2007
Management Development Trainer
Self Employed
04.2005 - 07.2006
Business Studies Teacher (Maternity Contract)
Priestley College
09.2004 - 04.2005
Park Lane College
Assessing candidates using a range of methods from A1
09.2003 - 06.2004
Programme Manager (CIPS)
Park Lane College
08.2002 - 09.2004
University of Huddersfield
PGCE from Education (PGCE) in Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET)
09.2001 - 06.2002
University of Salford
Bachelor of Science from BSc (Hons) Quality Management
09.1999 - 06.2001
University of Salford
H.N.D. from Quality Management (Distinction)
09.1997 - 06.1999
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