📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Harman Kardon Global Brand Lead
🔹 Company: HARMAN International
🔹 Location: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing & Brand Management
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-17
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing a global brand growth plan for Harman Kardon
- Leading global marketing campaigns and ensuring brand consistency
- Managing a team and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders
- Driving brand equity and growth across consumer and car audio spaces
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of global brand management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Leading the development and execution of the Harman Kardon 3-year and annual growth plan
✅ Chairing the Harman Kardon Brand Committee to build business recommendations and facilitate decision-making
✅ Developing and implementing global marketing plans, including advertising creative, activation ideas, and other core assets
✅ Managing global creative & campaign development and ensuring fidelity to the brand vision
✅ Leading global digital marketing and brand storytelling across all consumer touchpoints
✅ Supporting and informing marketing activities in the Automotive space to ensure compliance with portfolio role and strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and global brand management.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Minimum 15 years of similar or related work experience within consumer electronics or a related industry
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in global brand management and marketing strategy
- Strong leadership and influencing skills
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to analyze data and act on insights
- Experience managing agencies and budgets
- Global awareness and cultural sensitivity
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in brand licensing and cross-business/cross-company brand management
- Fluency in multiple languages
- Experience in the automotive industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong personal interest in technology and a broad marketing background that includes B2B and B2C product launch experiences.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €120,000 - €160,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in the Netherlands)
Benefits:
- Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
- Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products
- Extensive training opportunities through HARMAN University
- Competitive wellness benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program
- An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in the Netherlands. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: HARMAN International operates in the consumer electronics and automotive technology sectors, with a focus on audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions, and connected car systems.
Company Size: HARMAN International has over 30,000 employees across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, making it a large enterprise.
Founded: 1980, in Stamford, Connecticut, USA
Company Description:
- HARMAN is a global leader in automotive technology, lifestyle innovations, design, and analytics
- The company designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide
- HARMAN's portfolio includes leading brands such as AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, and Revel
Company Specialties:
- Audio and visual products
- Connected car systems
- Enterprise automation solutions
- Design and analytics
Company Website: www.harman.com
ASSUMPTION: HARMAN International is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a diverse portfolio of products and solutions.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior leadership level, reporting directly to the HARMAN Lifestyle President or a similar executive
Reporting Structure: The role will have 1 direct HARMAN report (Brand Manager) and manage various 3rd party agencies
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a flexible work environment allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the HARMAN Lifestyle division or across other HARMAN business units
- Opportunities to work on high-profile global brand campaigns and initiatives
- Chance to develop leadership and management skills by overseeing a team and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a significant impact on the global Harman Kardon brand.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with an on-site presence required for collaboration and meetings
Office Location(s): Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Geographic Context:
- Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city in the Netherlands
- The city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, historic canals, and diverse neighborhoods
- The Netherlands is a small, densely populated country with a high standard of living and a strong economy
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the Hiring Manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the HARMAN Lifestyle President or a similar executive
- Final round interview with key stakeholders
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Global brand management expertise
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Cultural sensitivity and global awareness
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your global brand management experience and strategic thinking skills
- Prepare examples of successful global brand campaigns or initiatives you've led
- Research the Harman Kardon brand and be ready to discuss your vision for its growth and development
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment
ATS Keywords: Global Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, Leadership, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Global Marketing, Advertising, Digital Marketing, Brand Storytelling, Consumer Touchpoints, Brand Equity, Brand Growth
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's global brand management expertise, strategic thinking skills, and leadership abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Marketo)
- Creative design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, marketing automation and analytics tools, and creative design tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation: We foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement
- Collaboration: We work together to achieve exceptional results
- Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency in all our interactions
- Excellence: We strive for the highest standards in everything we do
Work Style:
- Global mindset: We embrace diversity and inclusion in our teams and our products
- Data-driven: We make informed decisions based on data and insights
- Agile: We adapt quickly to change and embrace new challenges
- Customer-focused: We prioritize the needs and preferences of our customers
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach leading a global brand committee to build business recommendations and facilitate decision-making?
- How have you ensured brand consistency across multiple markets and channels in previous roles?
- How do you balance the needs of different stakeholders, such as consumers, retailers, and internal teams, when developing global marketing strategies?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong alignment with HARMAN's company values and work style, with a global mindset and a customer-focused approach.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a global brand with diverse regional marketing teams and stakeholders
- Balancing the needs of both consumer and car audio divisions within the Harman Kardon brand
- Ensuring brand consistency across multiple touchpoints and channels
- Driving brand growth in a competitive market
ASSUMPTION: The role presents unique challenges that require a strategic, data-driven, and customer-focused approach.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on global brand management for a premium audio brand with both consumer and car audio divisions
- Similar roles may include Global Brand Director, Global Marketing Director, or Senior Brand Manager positions in the consumer electronics or automotive industries
- Career paths for this role may lead to senior leadership positions within HARMAN Lifestyle or other HARMAN business units
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a global brand with a strong presence in both consumer and car audio markets.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global marketing campaign for a new Harman Kardon product launch
- Conducting a global brand audit and developing a brand refresh strategy
- Managing a team to create and implement a global brand guidelines document
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and tactical aspects of the role, focusing on global brand management, marketing strategy, and team leadership.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the Harman Kardon brand fit into the broader HARMAN portfolio, and how does this role support the company's overall strategy?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I make the most significant impact in this timeframe?
- How does the Harman Kardon brand committee function, and what are the key stakeholders involved in its decision-making process?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the Harman Kardon brand, and how can this role address them?
- How does HARMAN support the growth and development of its employees, and what opportunities are available for professional growth within the company?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help candidates understand the role's context, priorities, and growth opportunities within the broader organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your global brand management experience and strategic thinking skills
- Prepare examples of successful global brand campaigns or initiatives you've led
- Research the Harman Kardon brand and be ready to discuss your vision for its growth and development
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment
- Follow up with the HARMAN Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
