Head of Brand & Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Brand & Marketing

🔹 Company: ING

🔹 Location: Milan (Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Milan, Italy)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing a holistic brand and marketing strategy
• Driving customer engagement and fostering brand loyalty
• Integrating full-funnel marketing and leveraging data-driven insights
• Optimizing the entire customer journey across multiple segments
• Leading and coaching a team of marketing professionals

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of both brand management and full-funnel marketing.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute a unified brand and marketing vision that aligns core business lines

✅ Champion data-driven brand building and leverage research and insights to inform brand architecture and validate marketing decisions

✅ Integrate end-to-end lifecycle journeys, including product-agnostic and behavioral campaigns

✅ Lead the brand function, providing strategic guidance to shape local brand direction and ensure brand consistency across multiple touchpoints

✅ Champion new channels and experiences, including in-person event activation

✅ Oversee agency and vendor management with a focus on creative agency excellence

✅ Coach and develop direct reports, and champion cross-functional alignment

✅ Adhere to regulatory standards and maintain accurate documentation

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder management.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field. Master’s Degree or MBA preferred.

Experience: 10+ years in senior marketing roles, with a proven track record in brand management, integrated campaigns, sponsorships, and event activations.

Required Skills:

• Brand management expertise
• Full-funnel marketing experience
• Event and sponsorship activation
• Marketing technology proficiency
• Data-driven and analytical mindset
• Leadership and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the financial services industry
• Fluency in Italian and English

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in both brand management and full-funnel marketing, with a proven ability to lead and grow cross-functional teams.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Head of Marketing role in Milan)

Benefits:

• Super flexible smart working
• Competitive base salaries and performance-based bonuses
• Diverse cultures and innovative mindsets
• International environment
• Commitment to sustainability
• Lots of training development opportunities
• Lots of moments dedicated to physical and mental well-being
• A special day off on your birthday
• Free water and coffee at the office

Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market data for similar roles in Milan. The benefits listed are based on the company's description and may be subject to change.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Financial Services

Company Size: 501-1,000 employees

Founded: 1991 (ING Group N.V.)

Company Description:

• ING is a global financial institution offering banking, investments, life insurance, and retirement services to retail and institutional clients
• ING Americas offers a full array of wholesale financial products and services in the U.S.
• ING is committed to sustainability and responsible banking

Company Specialties:

• Retail banking
• Wholesale banking
• Investment banking
• Asset management

Company Website: ING Americas

ASSUMPTION: ING is a well-established financial institution with a strong global presence and a commitment to sustainability and responsible banking.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Management

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Marketing & Communications for ING Italy

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the Milan office)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a regional or global marketing leadership role
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
• Chance to develop and mentor junior marketing team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the company's marketing strategy.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space

Office Location(s): Milan, Italy

Geographic Context:

• Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital of the Lombardy region
• Known for its fashion, design, and finance industries
• Offers a high quality of life with rich cultural experiences and culinary delights

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (with a 30-minute lunch break)

ASSUMPTION: Milan offers a vibrant, multicultural work environment with a strong focus on fashion, design, and finance. The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility while maintaining a collaborative office culture.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application review
• Phone or video screening
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and brand management expertise
• Full-funnel marketing experience and data-driven mindset
• Leadership and collaboration skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with ING's values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant marketing experience and achievements
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of ING's brand and marketing strategy
• Prepare questions that showcase your interest in the role and the company
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role

ATS Keywords: Brand management, full-funnel marketing, data-driven, leadership, collaboration, hybrid work, Milan

ASSUMPTION: ING's interview process is designed to assess strategic thinking, marketing expertise, and cultural fit. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and demonstrate their understanding of ING's brand and marketing strategy.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Digital marketing tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Marketing Cloud)
• Marketing automation systems (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
• Analytics dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in various marketing technologies, including CRM platforms, digital marketing tools, automation systems, and analytics dashboards.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business
• Creating a positive impact on society and the environment
• Fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Innovative and forward-thinking

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you align with ING's purpose of empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business?
• Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing remote work and in-office collaboration?
• Do you thrive in a data-driven, analytical work culture?

ASSUMPTION: ING values employees who are empowered, innovative, and committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment. A strong cultural fit is essential for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team with diverse skills and backgrounds
• Balancing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining productivity
• Navigating a large, multinational organization

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges, including managing a diverse team, balancing multiple priorities, and adapting to a hybrid work environment. Successful candidates will be able to navigate these challenges and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other Head of Marketing roles, this position offers a unique blend of brand management, full-funnel marketing, and event activation responsibilities
• ING's commitment to sustainability and responsible banking sets it apart from other financial institutions
• This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to work on high-impact projects

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its blend of brand management, full-funnel marketing, and event activation responsibilities, as well as ING's commitment to sustainability and responsible banking. Applicants should consider their fit for this specific role and the company's culture.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive brand refresh strategy
• Launching a new product or service campaign across multiple channels
• Optimizing the customer journey to improve engagement and retention

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth of responsibilities and the impact this role can have on ING's marketing strategy and customer experience.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for ING Italy?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the marketing team, and how can this role address them?
• What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the marketing team?
• How does ING support work-life balance for its employees?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, challenges, and growth opportunities, as well as ING's company culture and work-life balance policies.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and achievements
• Prepare questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
• If selected for an interview, research ING's brand, marketing strategy, and company culture to show your enthusiasm and preparation

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.