📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Marketing - Whisky
🔹 Company: Diageo
🔹 Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Beverage Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the marketing strategy for Diageo's whisky portfolio
- Driving brand growth and market share
- Executing annual plans and ensuring alignment across global, regional, and local teams
- Collaborating with multifunctional teams to develop strategies and plans
- Building and leading a high-performing team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and proven leadership skills to drive success in a competitive market.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the development and execution of annual strategies and plans for Diageo's whisky portfolio, in collaboration with multifunctional teams
✅ Drive accelerated and sustainable value, recruitment, and constant penetration for the whisky portfolio
✅ Beat the competition in terms of value share and brand strength score (equity)
✅ Lead the development of annual strategies and plans, alongside multifunctional teams
✅ Direct external agencies on the development, execution, and measurement of marketing comms and activation plans
✅ Encourage and unlock agencies' creative flair to build brand fame
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external agencies.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree qualification
Experience: Comprehensive marketing and financial decision-making experience
Required Skills:
- Proven success in building talent, mentoring, and leading teams
- Proven success in building powerful emotional-benefit brands
- Proven success in leading a business in delivering a demanding P&L (GM mindset)
- Highly consistent record of influencing across functions and markets
- Strategic problem solver with deep consumer understanding
- Highly driven, with a restlessness to win
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment
- Proven ability to direct external agencies on marketing comms and activation plans
- Proven ability to encourage and unlock agencies' creative flair
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the beverage industry
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: Given the size of the whisky portfolio's contribution to Diageo Australia, this role represents a lean team. Therefore, personal ownership of execution, the motivation to roll up one's sleeves, and the drive and ambition to deliver the plan are must-haves.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AUD 250,000 - 350,000 per annum (based on experience and market conditions)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and monetary benefits, including bonus
- Flexible leave entitlements and product allowance
- Industry-leading parental leave policy
- Volunteering days and workplace giving
- Subscriptions to mental health and fitness platforms
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market conditions and the level of experience required for this role. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and Diageo's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Beverage Manufacturing, specifically focusing on premium drinks across spirits and beer
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (global), with a significant presence in Australia
Founded: 1826 (as Guinness and John Walker & Sons), merged to form Diageo in 1997
Company Description:
- Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, with over 200 brands sold in 180 countries
- The company's portfolio has remarkable breadth, from centuries-old names to exciting new entrants and global giants to local legends
- Diageo is a truly global company with over 30,000 talented people based in over 135 countries
- The company aims to maintain its position as leaders in the alcoholic beverage market by investing in the future and being mindful of its impact
Company Specialties:
- Premium Drinks
- Marketing
- Innovation
- Supply Chain
- HR
- Sales
- Brand management
- Premium Wines and Spirits Supplier
- Luxury
- Super premium
- Beer
- Consumer goods
- E-commerce
- Beverages
- Spirits
- FMCG
- Brand owners
Company Website: diageo.com
ASSUMPTION: Diageo's extensive portfolio and global presence offer ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Global Marketing Director for Whisky
Reporting Structure: The role will have 5 direct reports, making it a lean team for the size of the whisky portfolio's contribution to Diageo Australia
Work Arrangement: Full-time, on-site role based in Sydney, with potential for occasional travel
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities or lead global initiatives within the whisky portfolio
- Opportunities to develop skills in strategic planning, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration
- Prospects for career progression within Diageo's global organization
ASSUMPTION: Given Diageo's commitment to investing in its people and the global nature of the whisky portfolio, there are significant growth opportunities for the right candidate in this role.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Sydney's western suburbs
Office Location(s): 162 Blues Point Rd, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
Geographic Context:
- Sydney is Australia's largest city, with a vibrant cultural scene, beautiful beaches, and a diverse population
- The city offers a high standard of living, with excellent education, healthcare, and entertainment options
- Sydney's western suburbs, where Diageo's office is located, are well-connected by public transport and have a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, with flexibility for occasional overtime or weekend work as needed
ASSUMPTION: Sydney's diverse cultural scene, high standard of living, and vibrant business environment make it an attractive location for professionals.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or video interview with the hiring manager
- Final round interview with key stakeholders
- Background and reference checks
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills
- Marketing and brand-building expertise
- Commercial acumen and P&L management
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your leadership, strategic, and problem-solving skills
- Research Diageo's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit
- Be ready to discuss your vision for the whisky portfolio and how you would drive growth and market share
ATS Keywords: Whisky, Marketing Strategy, Brand Growth, Market Share, Annual Plans, Global Teams, Leadership, Commercial Skills, P&L Management, Strategic Thinking, Influencing Skills, Marketing Comms, Agency Management
ASSUMPTION: Diageo's application process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership, and marketing skills, as well as their cultural fit with the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Marketo)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard in the marketing industry and can be learned or improved upon with relevant experience and training.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Be brave: Challenge the status quo and dare to try new things
- Be collaborative: Work together to achieve common goals
- Be exceptional: Strive for excellence in everything you do
- Be inclusive: Embrace diversity and create an environment where everyone can thrive
- Be responsible: Act with integrity and take responsibility for your actions
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on execution and results
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration
- Innovative and forward-thinking, with a willingness to adapt to change
- Performance-driven, with a focus on delivering on targets and KPIs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate Diageo's value of being brave in your approach to marketing and brand-building?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams to achieve a common goal?
- How do you ensure that your marketing strategies and tactics are inclusive and resonate with diverse audiences?
- Describe a situation where you had to take responsibility for a challenging outcome and how you handled it?
ASSUMPTION: Diageo's company culture values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their personal values align with these.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The competitive nature of the whisky market and the need to continuously innovate and adapt
- The responsibility of managing a lean team for a significant portfolio
- The need to balance global, regional, and local marketing strategies and plans
- The requirement to work effectively with external agencies and stakeholders
- The need to maintain a strong brand presence in a fast-paced and evolving market
ASSUMPTION: The role presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges, requiring a strategic and adaptable mindset to succeed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other marketing leadership roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to lead a global portfolio with a strong focus on brand growth and market share
- Unlike other roles, this position requires a deep understanding of the whisky category and the ability to navigate a complex global market
- Career paths for this role may include progression to global marketing director or general manager positions within Diageo's whisky portfolio
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing leadership positions, its focus on the whisky portfolio and global market dynamics sets it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic plan to drive market share for Johnnie Walker Black Label in Australia
- Launching a new single malt whisky brand and managing its growth trajectory
- Innovating within the whisky category to create new revenue streams and capture white space opportunities
ASSUMPTION: The projects associated with this role require a strong understanding of the whisky market, strategic planning, and the ability to execute and measure marketing campaigns effectively.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for the whisky portfolio in the first 90 days, and how can I contribute to driving success in these areas?
- How does this role fit into the global marketing strategy for Diageo's whisky portfolio, and what are the key cross-functional collaborations required to succeed?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the whisky market in Australia, and how can this role address them?
- How does Diageo support the growth and development of its marketing leaders, and what opportunities exist for career progression within the company?
- What is the expected timeline for reviewing and approving marketing plans, and how is this process managed within the organization?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview demonstrates your interest in the role and your understanding of the business.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Diageo Careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your leadership, strategic, and problem-solving skills
- Research Diageo's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit
- Be ready to discuss your vision for the whisky portfolio and how you would drive growth and market share
- Follow up with the hiring manager 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.
