📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Marketing, Vintage (12-month FTC)
🔹 Company: Penguin Books Limited
🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2 days per week in the office)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (London, United Kingdom)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading marketing strategy for key titles at Vintage, with a focus on Jonathan Cape.
- Managing a team of two direct reports and contributing to divisional marketing strategy.
- Delivering outstanding, sales-driving campaigns for lead titles and managing brand authors.
- Driving discovery and sales for Vintage's catalogue and classics lists.
- Collaborating with various teams, including sales, editorial, publicity, and data and insight.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative marketer with experience in book marketing and team management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead marketing strategy for key titles at Vintage, with a particular focus on Jonathan Cape.
✅ Manage a team of two direct reports and contribute to divisional marketing strategy as part of the senior management team.
✅ Deliver outstanding, sales-driving campaigns for lead titles and manage brand authors.
✅ Lead Vintage's catalogue and classics strategy from a marketing perspective, working closely with sales, editorial, publicity, and data and insight to identify and respond to opportunities to drive discovery and sales.
✅ Show leadership in creative thinking, strategic planning, taking an audience-led approach, on-point positioning and copywriting, informed channel selection, campaign analysis, communication, and collaboration.
✅ Line management and talent development of two direct reports.
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a strong understanding of the book publishing industry and a proven track record in delivering high-profile, effective book marketing campaigns.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Relevant degree or equivalent experience
Experience: Proven track record in delivering high-profile, effective book marketing campaigns to the highest possible standard. Extensive experience planning, executing, and analyzing campaigns to drive book sales and build author profiles. Experience managing marketing strategy across a range of genres.
Required Skills:
- Excellent positioning and copywriting skills and an ability to build campaign strategies informed by audience insight.
- Experience in creative direction of stand-out pitch documents and presenting marketing vision to prospective authors and agents with impact.
- Proven people-management experience – an inspiring leader, a good listener who enables people to do their best work.
- Confident running self-service advertising campaigns across platforms, e.g., Meta, TikTok, Google, as well as with using Adobe Creative Suite.
- Significant experience of working with agencies – from media agencies to creative teams across different media.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the book publishing industry.
- Fluency in additional languages.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in book marketing, excellent communication skills, and experience managing teams.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Circa £50,000-£55,000 annual salary dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Benefits:
- Hybrid working (2 days per week in the office).
- Bonus and benefits package.
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week).
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Head of Marketing role in the book publishing industry in London.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Book and Periodical Publishing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1935 (Penguin Books Limited)
Company Description:
- Penguin Books Limited is a leading publisher of fiction and non-fiction books, with a rich history and a diverse portfolio of imprints.
- The company is committed to bold publishing, encouraging readers to think differently and make a book the best of its kind with publishing expertise and world-class design.
- Penguin Books Limited is part of Penguin Random House UK, which is a division of Penguin Random House, a global trade book publishing company.
Company Specialties:
- Fiction
- Non-fiction
- Poetry
- Graphic novels
- Publishing services
Company Website: http://www.dk.com/
ASSUMPTION: Penguin Books Limited is a well-established publisher with a strong reputation in the industry, offering a dynamic and creative work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Marketing Director of Vintage.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2 days per week in the office).
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the marketing team or across the wider Penguin Random House UK organization.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and collaborate with industry-leading authors and agents.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (2 days per week in the office).
Office Location(s): One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London, SW11 7BW, GB
Geographic Context:
- London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a rich literary history.
- The office is located in the Nine Elms area, close to the River Thames and with easy access to public transportation.
- The area is undergoing significant regeneration, with new developments and amenities.
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility to work from home for 3 days per week.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review.
- Phone or video screening.
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members.
- Final round interview with senior leadership.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Campaign strategy and execution.
- Leadership and team management skills.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Industry knowledge and understanding of the Vintage imprint.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare a detailed marketing campaign analysis for your cover letter, demonstrating your ability to deliver effective campaigns.
- Research the Vintage imprint and be prepared to discuss its unique selling points and target audience.
ATS Keywords: Book marketing, campaign strategy, creative direction, copywriting, audience insight, team management, advertising campaigns, media agency collaboration, sales strategy, brand management, data analysis, communication, design understanding, imprint strategy, talent development
ASSUMPTION: The application process is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experience throughout the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Analytics
- Social media platforms (Meta, TikTok, Google)
- CRM and marketing automation tools
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in using relevant marketing tools and technologies, as well as a strong understanding of the book publishing industry.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Bold publishing
- Encouraging readers to think differently
- Making a book the best of its kind with publishing expertise and world-class design
Work Style:
- Collaborative and creative
- Data-driven and strategic
- Flexible and adaptable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record in delivering high-profile, effective book marketing campaigns?
- Are you an inspiring leader who enables people to do their best work?
- Can you build campaign strategies informed by audience insight and deliver outstanding, sales-driving campaigns?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with the company's values and work style, as well as a passion for book publishing and a commitment to delivering high-quality campaigns.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires a strong understanding of the book publishing industry and a proven track record in delivering effective book marketing campaigns.
- The role may involve working with tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- The role requires a strong ability to collaborate with various teams, including sales, editorial, publicity, and data and insight.
- The role may require occasional travel to attend industry events or meet with authors and agents.
ASSUMPTION: The role presents unique challenges and opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential for significant impact on the success of the Vintage imprint and the wider Penguin Random House UK organization.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on the Vintage imprint and its hybrid work arrangement.
- Similar roles in the book publishing industry may include Senior Marketing Manager or Marketing Director positions, with a focus on specific imprints or genres.
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior leadership positions within the marketing department or across the wider Penguin Random House UK organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a prestigious imprint and contribute to its continued success, with potential for growth and development within the organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a marketing campaign for a high-profile author launch, including advertising, social media, and event planning.
- Analyzing sales data and market trends to inform marketing strategy and identify opportunities for growth.
- Collaborating with the editorial team to create compelling pitch documents and secure high-profile acquisitions for the Vintage imprint.
ASSUMPTION: The role presents a wide range of projects and initiatives, with opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and contribute to the success of the Vintage imprint.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30 days?
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for Vintage and Penguin Random House UK?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the role and the organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company, as well as their understanding of the industry and the organization's goals.
📌 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 experience and skills for this role, with a particular focus on your marketing campaign analysis.
- Prepare for your interview by researching the Vintage imprint and the company's values and work style.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
