Marketing Manager

The Marketing Manager has overall responsibility for the UK marketing function, leading the planning and coordination of activity across brand, product, trade, digital, ecommerce and paid

media channels. Acting as the central point of leadership for the marketing team, they set direction, align priorities and ensure marketing activity is connected, on brand, delivered on time and supports both commercial objectives and broader brand ambitions.

This person directly manages and develops the Digital Marketing Assistant, Trade Marketing &

Product Executive and Paid Media Marketing Executive, acting as the conductor of the function to bring together people, plans and priorities. They provide clear leadership, create effective ways of

working and ensure the team is equipped and accountable for high-quality delivery.

The role requires a strong balance of strategic thinking, commercial awareness, organisation, communication and leadership, with responsibility for shaping the annual marketing strategy and

calendar, overseeing integrated campaigns and product launches, managing budgets and agencies, coordinating internal and external stakeholders, and using performance insight to improve effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Leadership & Team Management

• Lead the UK marketing function, setting clear direction, priorities and standards across the team.
• Directly manage, coach and develop the Digital Marketing Assistant, Trade Marketing & Product Executive and Paid Media Marketing Executive, ensuring each role is clear, supported and contributing effectively to the wider function.
• Establish effective ways of working that improve forward planning, coordination, visibility and accountability across the marketing team.
• Act as the main internal point of contact for marketing, giving the senior leadership team clear visibility of plans, priorities, progress, risks and results.
• Identify opportunities to improve team efficiency, strengthen collaboration and increase the overall impact of the marketing function.

Strategic Planning, Brand & Product Marketing

• Own the UK marketing strategy and annual marketing calendar, translating business
• objectives, product priorities and global brand direction into clear, commercially relevant plans.
• Lead the planning of seasonal campaigns, launch support and key brand moments, ensuring activity is prioritised where it will have the greatest impact
• Oversee brand positioning, narratives, messaging, packaging input and brand guidelines to maintain a strong, recognisable and consistent identity.
• Identify gaps, clashes, dependencies or risks early and take action to keep plans realistic, well supported and on track.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of trade shows, showroom activity and key trade events, ensuring they are fully integrated into the wider marketing plan.

Campaign, Media & Content Oversight

• Oversee the development and delivery of campaigns across paid media, organic social, PR,
• influencer, retail, ecommerce, trade and print channels.
• Ensure campaign activity is insight-led, connected across channels and designed to support brand awareness, product sell-through, digital growth and wider commercial objectives.
• Set clear briefs and provide strategic direction for creative production, including TVCs, digital assets, influencer content, point-of-sale materials and other brand collateral.
• Review campaign plans and materials at key stages, providing constructive feedback and ensuring work is strategically strong, on brand and ready for execution.
• Oversee paid and organic social activity and ensure media plans are cost-effective, appropriately targeted and aligned with agreed KPIs.

Trade, Digital & Ecommerce Oversight

• Oversee marketing support across retail, ecommerce and trade channels, ensuring activity is
• customer-relevant, commercially supportive and delivered to a high standard.
• Work closely with Sales on launches, retailer activity, sell-in presentations, promotional plans and key trading periods to maximise visibility and product sell-through.
• Ensure websites, social media, online content and ecommerce support are delivered in line with the wider marketing plan.
• Oversee the readiness of product assets, enhanced content, launch materials, trade tools and customer-facing marketing materials for retail and ecommerce partners.

Budget, Performance & Market Insight

• Own and monitor the overall marketing budget, forecasting spends and ensuring investment is carefully managed against agreed priorities.
• Oversee campaign and channel reporting, giving the business clear visibility of results, learnings and recommendations.
• Use relevant measures to assess effectiveness and guide optimisation.
• Put clear reporting processes in place across campaigns, product launches, budgets and monthly performance updates.
• Monitor consumer behaviour, competitor activity, market trends and emerging opportunities, using insight to shape future plans and support decision-making.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Product, Sales, Finance, Operations and global marketing teams to ensure marketing supports wider business goals.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with CTF and CTA so UK priorities, product updates, samples, launches and trade activity are aligned and understood.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure the marketing team has the information, decisions, inputs and support needed to deliver effectively.
• Present marketing plans, priorities, performance and recommendations confidently to senior stakeholders.

Experience and Skills Required:

• At least 10 years' marketing experience, including 5 to 6 years proven experience in a marketing management role with direct responsibility for managing and developing a team.
• A strong track record of setting marketing direction and leading multi-channel activity across
• brand, product, trade, digital, ecommerce and paid media.
• Experience managing the full campaign lifecycle, from strategy and briefing through delivery, optimisation, analysis and reporting.
• Strong consumer goods and commercial marketing experience.
• Experience within toys or another fast-paced, seasonal category is preferred but not essential.
• Proven experience of managing substantial budgets, external agencies, suppliers and complex campaign planning processes.
• Strong understanding of marketing performance measures and the ability to turn data, market insight and team feedback into clear actions and recommendations.
• Excellent leadership, project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing demands.
• A confident communicator and presenter who can bring people together, build trust, influence stakeholders and keep plans moving.
• Able to combine strategic thinking with practical decision-making, creative judgement and strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable overseeing a broad marketing remit without needing to be the day-to-day executor of every channel.