📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Manager Trade Communications
🔹 Company: AkzoNobel
🔹 Location: Slough, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (On-site/Hybrid)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Branding
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-28
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing trade communications for professional brands
- Managing media strategy and implementation for diverse trade customers
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create compelling customer journeys
- Optimizing media plans to drive maximum impact and achieve brand targets
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and experience in managing digital media plans.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Deliver the ABR plan (Volume, GIV, EBIT, and specific brand health & share targets)
✅ Collaborate with colleagues to create a clear strategic direction for Dulux or Dulux Trade communications
✅ Manage communications implementation from creative ideas through to production and media buying
✅ Optimize media plans to drive maximum impact
✅ Prioritize and drive key initiatives to ensure brilliant execution across the business
✅ Collaborate with colleagues/partners to build a compelling communications plan and execute across both physical and digital worlds as one customer journey
✅ Ensure consistency of messaging and look & feel
✅ Build in-depth knowledge of key professional audiences
✅ Lead development and ongoing management of content
✅ Manage relationships with business partners
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Graduate calibre
Experience: Experience of marketing in high-performing businesses managing multiple categories and/or brands (ideally within FMCG, Retail, or DIY industries)
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in brand management, with a focus on trade communications
- Strong digital media planning and optimization skills
- Excellent communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills
- Experience working within a matrix organization structure and influencing global stakeholders
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in successfully managing stakeholders
- Committed to a collaborative working environment where supporting colleagues is key
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in customer marketing, sales, innovation, insight, or global roles may have an advantage.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £50,000 - £65,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday excluding bank holidays
- Income protection
- Staff discount at Dulux Decorator Centre stores
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Life Assurance
- Company pension
- Product discounts
- Flexible benefits scheme offering benefits including Gymflex, retail card, dental cover, and more!
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for hybrid working
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing, specifically paints and coatings
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Large enterprise)
Founded: 1792
Company Description:
- AkzoNobel is a global leader in paints and coatings, with a rich history dating back to 1792
- The company offers a wide range of brands, including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon
- AkzoNobel is committed to sustainability and innovation, aiming to create a better tomorrow while preserving the best of what they have today
Company Specialties:
- Paints and coatings
- Sustainable solutions
- Innovation
- Global operations
Company Website: www.akzonobel.com
ASSUMPTION: AkzoNobel's extensive global presence and large employee base may offer opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Managerial level, with potential for growth into leadership roles
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Director and may oversee junior brand managers or marketing coordinators
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-site/Hybrid), with a mix of remote and on-site work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression into leadership roles within the marketing department
- Opportunities to work on global projects and gain international experience
- Chance to develop expertise in trade communications and professional audiences
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing department and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment
Office Location(s): Slough, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Slough is located in the Thames Valley region of the UK, approximately 20 miles west of Central London
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to major transportation links
- Slough is home to a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and professional services
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for hybrid working
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the marketing director or another senior stakeholder
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand management experience and strategic thinking
- Digital media planning and optimization skills
- Communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant brand management experience and achievements
- Demonstrate strong digital media planning and optimization skills
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and the company
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company's culture, growth opportunities, and the team dynamics
ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Trade Communications, Digital Media Planning, Media Buying, Stakeholder Management, Professional Audiences, Customer Journey, ABR Plan, GIV, EBIT, Brand Health, Share Targets
ASSUMPTION: AkzoNobel's application process may involve assessments or case studies to evaluate candidates' skills and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot CRM)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the team and the project.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety, Health & Environment
- Integrity
- Respect
- Performance
- Sustainability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Data-driven and strategic
- Results-oriented and focused on achieving targets
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with AkzoNobel's company values, particularly in the context of this role?
- How comfortable are you working in a matrix organization structure and influencing global stakeholders?
- How do you approach managing and optimizing digital media plans, and how have you done so in previous roles?
ASSUMPTION: AkzoNobel's company culture emphasizes safety, integrity, respect, performance, and sustainability, with a focus on collaboration and results-driven work.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple brands and categories within a matrix organization structure
- Balancing on-site and remote work effectively
- Optimizing media plans to drive maximum impact and achieve brand targets
- Ensuring consistency of messaging and look & feel across both physical and digital worlds
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other brand management roles in its focus on trade communications and professional audiences
- AkzoNobel's global presence offers opportunities for international experience and career growth not available in smaller organizations
- This role may have a more narrow focus on trade communications compared to broader brand management roles, but it offers the opportunity to develop deep expertise in this area
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles in other organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a trade communications campaign for Dulux Trade, targeting professional painters and decorators
- Optimizing media plans to drive maximum impact and achieve brand targets for Armstead or Dulux Academy
- Managing the creative development process for a new brand campaign, from brief to production and media buying
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the key responsibilities and required skills for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How would you describe the team dynamics and company culture within the marketing department?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for AkzoNobel's professional brands?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the broader organization?
- How does AkzoNobel support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://careers.akzonobel.com/job/Slough-Senior-Brand-Manager-Trade-Communications/1208702401/
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your fit for the role and the company
- Prepare for the interview by researching the company, the role, and the industry
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the team, and the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
