📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of B2B Marketing
🔹 Company: Canada Life and Irish Life
🔹 Location: Bristol, City of, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-29
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Defining and implementing marketing strategy that aligns with UK business strategy
- Leading the B2B marketing team and managing relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ensuring delivery of marketing plans that meet defined business objectives
- Driving data-driven marketing campaigns and digital enablement
- Fostering a high-performing team and developing team capabilities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the financial services industry and its regulatory environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and deliver the B2B marketing strategy and lead the development and ongoing management of the marketing plan to achieve the UK business objectives
✅ Lead the relationship management of business lines to fully understand their business plans, ensuring marketing requirements are understood and clear objectives are defined and set
✅ Establish and nurture relationships with key external stakeholders, influencing relationships and building Canada Life’s credibility externally
✅ Drive insight and data led initiatives to deliver business line plans with a focus on digital enablement through deep understanding of intermediary and customer audiences leading to targeting and channel selection for activation
✅ Manage the overall impact of marketing investment to deliver acceptable returns on investment and maximise effectiveness of marketing programmes and plans through the use of MI, front line insight and customer/business feedback
✅ Lead and manage the B2B marketing function, to foster a high-performing team with a focus on engagement and capability development
ASSUMPTION: The role holder will be expected to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution, working closely with various teams to deliver marketing campaigns and projects.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Degree level education or equivalent
Experience: Extensive experience in financial services marketing and a proven track record in leadership roles
Required Skills:
- Deep knowledge of financial services industry and intermediated distribution
- Proven ability to work within a dynamic change environment
- Excellent marketing skills, including comprehensive knowledge of marketing principles, channel marketing and sales processes
- Highly organised with excellent time management skills
- Strong leadership skills, able to provide clarity and vision to wider marketing teams
- Excellent people skills, with ability to build and maintain positive relationships
- Strong influencing skills adept at winning support from a wide range of people who do not report into this role
- Strong leadership skills, able to provide clarity and vision to wider marketing teams
- Highly professional and proactive work ethic
Preferred Skills:
- Relevant professional and/or marketing qualification
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in marketing communications management, with experience in strategy development, planning, and budget management.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £80,000 - £100,000 per annum (Estimated, based on industry standards for similar roles)
Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- Generous Pension
- Bonus Scheme
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Assurance
- Personal Development
- Professional Development
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Insurance
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1939
Company Description:
- Irish Life is Ireland's leading life, investment and pension company
- Part of the Great-West Lifeco group of companies, one of the world’s leading life assurance organisations
- Committed to delivering innovative products backed by the highest standards of customer service
Company Specialties:
- Pensions
- Life Insurance
- and Investments
Company Website: http://www.irishlife.ie
ASSUMPTION: Irish Life's extensive experience and global connections make it an attractive employer for those seeking a stable and well-resourced work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the CEO Office, with up to 5 direct reports
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to progress to a more senior role within the marketing leadership team
- Chance to gain experience working with senior stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions
- Opportunity to develop leadership skills and team management capabilities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand their leadership and strategic skills.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a hybrid work arrangement available
Office Location(s): Bristol, City of, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Bristol is a major city in South West England, with a population of over 463,000
- Known for its vibrant cultural scene, historic sites, and proximity to the countryside
- Offers a good quality of life with a lower cost of living compared to London
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexible working arrangements available
ASSUMPTION: Bristol's blend of urban and rural living, along with its lower cost of living, makes it an attractive location for many professionals.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and CV screening
- Phone or video interview with the hiring manager
- On-site interview with senior stakeholders
- Final round interview with the CEO Office
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management capabilities
- Industry knowledge and understanding of regulatory requirements
- Data-driven marketing and digital enablement expertise
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership and strategic skills
- Research the company and industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm
- Be ready to discuss your approach to data-driven marketing and digital enablement
ATS Keywords: Marketing Strategy, B2B Marketing, Stakeholder Management, Data Analysis, Digital Enablement, Team Development, Leadership, Influencing Skills, Regulatory Knowledge, Budget Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic mindset, leadership skills, and industry knowledge.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Microsoft Office Suite
ASSUMPTION: The role may require experience with specific marketing automation platforms and CRM software, as well as proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Curiosity: Be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together, find a way forward
- Integrity: Do the right thing for our people, customers and community
- Excellence: Strive for excellence in all that we do
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Work together to deliver best outcomes and achieve business objectives
- Agile: Respond to changes in priority and direction, undertaking a breadth of tasks
- Inclusive: Foster an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's values, particularly 'curiosity' and 'integrity'?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with multiple functions to deliver best outcomes?
- How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks in a dynamic change environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic change environment
- Balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution
- Influencing senior stakeholders and winning support from a wide range of people
- Keeping up with industry trends and regulatory changes in financial services
ASSUMPTION: The role may present challenges in managing competing priorities, influencing senior stakeholders, and staying current in a rapidly evolving industry.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other marketing leadership roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution
- Working in the financial services industry requires a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and consumer protection
- Career progression may involve moving into more senior roles within the marketing leadership team or transitioning to a different function within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and operational responsibilities, with growth opportunities in various directions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a data-driven marketing strategy for a new product launch
- Managing a rebranding project across multiple business lines and regions
- Leading a team to deliver a high-profile customer event or conference
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects may involve strategic planning, data analysis, team management, and stakeholder engagement.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy and organization structure?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does the company support the professional development of its employees?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the marketing team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company approach data-driven marketing and digital enablement?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you understand the role's context, expectations, and the company's approach to professional development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership and strategic skills
- Research the company and industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
