📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Operations Manager (12 Month Contract)
🔹 Company: Mars
🔹 Location: United Kingdom (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Contract
🔹 Category: Marketing & Advertising
🔹 Date Posted: July 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Remote work available)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading content operations processes and serving as the point of contact for cluster teams, regional marketing teams, brand leads, and agency partners.
- Driving content transformation by exploring and implementing new production and transcreation approaches.
- Managing budgets, tracking performance, and defining KPIs to optimize content and drive incremental change.
- Building strong relationships with internal departments and external partners to manage a complex network of stakeholders.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and manage content operations processes, supporting the day-to-day operations of the Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE) BCC team.
✅ Drive content transformation by exploring and implementing new production and transcreation approaches, such as smart production, AI production, and content automation.
✅ Support the Content Ops & Production Director in defining optimal weekly operating rhythms (WoW) across capability pillars and brand leads in defining optimal WoW across campaigns in service of integrated business plans (IBEs).
✅ Ensure agencies and partners deliver against commitments made in statements of work (SoWs) and commercial agreements, establishing ongoing review processes and measures to track partner progress.
✅ Manage and track BCC team budgets (A&CP and Overheads) and work with the Finance team to ensure regular reporting and adherence to budgets.
✅ Work across the region to support the deployment, embedding, and measurement of any globally or regionally defined brand content processes or operational workflows.
✅ Manage and measure outputs and performance across the overall team, defining and tracking KPIs and benchmarks to measure the impact of efforts and translating data into recommendations to optimize content and drive incremental change.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in developing and implementing successful technical content, platform, and media strategies, and developing content teams.
Required Skills:
- Data analysis and trend identification to define appropriate recommendations and strategies.
- Community building from scratch within an organization.
- Goal setting and achievement, managing multiple projects and priorities.
- Attention to detail, reviewing and approving content based on quality, fit for platform, and alignment to brand & business guidelines.
- Relationship building and stakeholder management across internal departments and external partners.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with content automation and AI production.
- Fluency in additional languages (beneficial but not required).
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the food and beverage industry or relevant transferable skills are encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £60,000 - £75,000 per annum (pro-rated for 12-month contract)
Benefits:
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
- Company bonus.
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), flexible working arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels in the United Kingdom.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mars operates in the competitive and dynamic food and beverage manufacturing industry, with a focus on confectionery, pet care, and food products.
Company Size: Mars is a large, global organization with over 10,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Franklin C. Mars, with a rich history of innovation and growth.
Company Description:
- Mars is a purpose-driven company, striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- The company is guided by its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom.
- Mars is committed to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, with a strong focus on giving back to communities.
Company Specialties:
- Mars Petcare
- Mars Food
- Mars Edge
- Mars Wrigley
Company Website: Mars.com
ASSUMPTION: Mars' large size and global presence offer candidates the opportunity to work on diverse projects and gain exposure to various markets and cultures.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-senior level, offering opportunities for growth and development within the content operations and management field.
Reporting Structure: The Creative Operations Manager will report directly to the Content Ops & Production Director and work closely with cluster teams, regional marketing teams, brand leads, and agency partners.
Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with remote work available. The working arrangement may vary depending on the specific needs of the team and the organization.
Growth Opportunities:
- Expanding skills and expertise in content operations, management, and strategy.
- Gaining experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders across multiple regions and brands.
- Potential opportunities for career progression within Mars' global organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a 12-month contract, providing flexibility and the chance to gain valuable experience in a large, global organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mars' global headquarters is located in McLean, Virginia, USA, with regional offices and remote work arrangements available.
Office Location(s): United Kingdom (Remote)
Geographic Context:
- The United Kingdom offers a vibrant and dynamic business environment, with a strong focus on innovation and technology.
- The remote work arrangement provides flexibility and the opportunity to work from various locations within the UK.
- The UK is home to a diverse range of industries and markets, offering exposure to various business contexts.
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexible working arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement may require occasional travel to Mars' offices or client sites, depending on the specific needs of the role and the organization.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening.
- Phone or video call interview to discuss the role and assess cultural fit.
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members to evaluate skills and experience.
- Final interview with the Content Ops & Production Director to discuss the role and make a hiring decision.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Data analysis and trend identification skills.
- Content strategy development and implementation experience.
- Stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
- Attention to detail and content quality review skills.
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mars' Five Principles.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experience for this role.
- Demonstrate your understanding of content operations, management, and strategy in your application materials.
- Showcase your ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders in your application materials.
- Prepare for interview questions focused on data analysis, content strategy, stakeholder management, and cultural fit.
ATS Keywords: Content Operations, Content Strategy, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Content Quality Review, Mars, Brand Leads, Agency Partners, Integrated Business Plans (IBEs), Weekly Operating Rhythms (WoW), Statements of Work (SoWs), KPIs, Budget Management, Content Transformation, Production Approaches, Transcreation, Community Building, Project Management, Attention to Detail, Relationship Building
ASSUMPTION: Mars' application process may vary depending on the specific needs of the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Content management systems (CMS) and digital asset management (DAM) systems
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the needs of the team and the organization.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality: The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
- Responsibility: As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others.
- Mutuality: A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
- Efficiency: We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best.
- Freedom: We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Data-driven and analytical, with a strong attention to detail and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Mars' Five Principles, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- How comfortable are you working with diverse teams and stakeholders, and how have you managed complex networks of relationships in previous roles?
- How do you approach data analysis and trend identification, and how have you used this information to drive content strategy and decision-making in previous roles?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Mars' Five Principles and a proven track record of success in content operations, management, and strategy are well-positioned for success in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The dynamic and fast-paced nature of the content operations and management field may require adaptability and quick decision-making.
- The role may involve managing multiple projects and priorities, requiring strong organizational skills and time management.
- The role may require occasional travel to Mars' offices or client sites, depending on the specific needs of the role and the organization.
- The role may involve working with diverse teams and stakeholders, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are adaptable, organized, and effective communicators are well-positioned to succeed in this role, despite its potential challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Content Operations Manager or Content Strategy Manager, with a focus on driving content transformation and optimizing content performance.
- However, this role is unique in its focus on supporting the day-to-day operations of the Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE) BCC team and managing the deployment, embedding, and measurement of globally or regionally defined brand content processes or operational workflows.
- This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a 12-month contract, providing flexibility and the chance to gain valuable experience in a large, global organization.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who have experience in similar roles or relevant transferable skills are encouraged to apply.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new content automation strategy to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Managing the deployment and embedding of a new globally defined brand content process, including stakeholder engagement, training, and measurement.
- Conducting a comprehensive review of content quality and fit for platform, resulting in the development and implementation of a new content approval process.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of responsibilities and initiatives that may be required in this role, but the specific projects and tasks may vary depending on the needs of the team and the organization.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical weekly operating rhythms (WoW) for the Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE) BCC team, and how this role will support and optimize these rhythms?
- How does this role collaborate with and support the Content Ops & Production Director, cluster teams, regional marketing teams, brand leads, and agency partners?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will success be measured in these areas?
- How does Mars support the professional development and growth of its Associates, and what opportunities exist for growth and progression within the organization?
- What is the expected workload and work-life balance for this role, and how does Mars support Associates in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization, and to demonstrate their interest and engagement in the interview process.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Mars careers website.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experience for this role, using the ATS keywords provided.
- Prepare for interview questions focused on data analysis, content strategy, stakeholder management, and cultural fit.
- Follow up with Mars' hiring team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
