Senior Manager Brand Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager Brand Communications

🔹 Company: Specsavers

🔹 Location: Guernsey, Wyoming, United States

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: No

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading industry-leading and innovative marketing communications for Specsavers in the Republic of Ireland.
• Integrating creative, media, PR, and social media agencies to hit ROI-specific brand awareness and objectives.
• Developing annual brand comms briefs and audience-centric responses (RTBs) based on business objectives, industry data, and key audience insights.
• Managing budgets, agency relationships, and ensuring alignment with business goals while driving innovative marketing campaigns.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects simultaneously.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the integration of creative, media, PR, and social media agencies to achieve brand awareness objectives.

✅ Manage budgets, agency relationships, and ensure alignment with business goals while driving innovative marketing campaigns.

✅ Develop annual brand comms briefs and audience-centric responses (RTBs) based on business objectives, industry data, and key audience insights.

✅ Work closely with the UK and Ireland strategy team to understand business objectives for marketing communications across the Specsavers brand, optics, and audiology activities.

✅ Brief agencies and wider teams to bring brand comms plans to life, ensuring all responses (RTBs) are engaging, innovative, and industry-leading.

✅ Set and manage budgets for all Ireland production activities across broadcast, partnership, social, and PR, working with finance and other marketing teams.

✅ Manage third-party agencies, conducting business reviews, setting targets, and defining objectives to ensure they deliver against SOW.

✅ Lead key calls, including weekly WIP calls and bi-weekly scrums, to keep projects on track.

✅ Put effective systems in place for continuous sharing of content and plans, signing off all local content for brand campaigns and activities for individual stores and hubs in Ireland.

✅ Manage stakeholders, ensuring everyone is clear on the team's role in achieving overall business objectives and proactively updating them on success.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in marketing communications, with a strong background in managing third-party agencies.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven experience in project management and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong understanding of data and analytics.
• Excellent commercial and business impact awareness.
• Proven ability to deliver innovative and impactful marketing campaigns.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the retail industry.
• Fluency in Irish or another language relevant to the Republic of Ireland market.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in marketing communications and experience managing third-party agencies are most likely to succeed in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be between $80,000 and $120,000 per year, based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in marketing communications in the United States. This range may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
• Generous vacation and time-off policies.

Working Hours: This role requires a standard full-time workweek of 40 hours, with the possibility of additional hours during peak periods or as needed to meet project deadlines. The role involves frequent travel across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey for team meetings, shoots, and working with partners.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The benefits package is competitive and designed to attract and retain top talent in the industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Specsavers is a global retailer of optical and hearing products and services, operating in over 10 countries worldwide. The company is known for its innovative marketing campaigns and commitment to customer service.

Company Size: Specsavers is a mid-sized company with approximately 158 employees globally. This size allows for a more intimate work environment and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's success.

Founded: Specsavers was founded in 1984 by Doug and Mary Perkins in the United Kingdom. The company has since grown to become a global leader in the optical and hearing industry.

Company Description:

• Specsavers is a global retailer of optical and hearing products and services, offering a wide range of glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids to customers worldwide.
• The company is committed to providing excellent customer service and innovative marketing campaigns to attract and retain customers.
• Specsavers is known for its strong brand presence and commitment to community involvement, supporting various charitable causes and initiatives.

Company Specialties:

• Retail of optical and hearing products and services.
• Innovative marketing communications and brand management.
• Customer service and community involvement.

Company Website: www.specsavers.com

ASSUMPTION: Specsavers is a well-established and successful company in the optical and hearing industry, with a strong brand presence and commitment to customer service and community involvement. The company's mid-sized structure allows for a more intimate work environment and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's success.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior management position, requiring a high level of experience and expertise in marketing communications and agency management.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager Brand Communications will report directly to the Head of Marketing Communications for the Republic of Ireland and will work closely with the UK and Ireland strategy team, as well as various internal and external stakeholders.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with frequent travel required across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey for team meetings, shoots, and working with partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a more senior role within the marketing communications department or the wider company.
• Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and projects, gaining valuable experience and exposure.
• Access to professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within the company, as well as the chance to work on high-profile campaigns and projects that can enhance the candidate's skills and experience.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The office is a modern, professional environment with a collaborative and supportive work culture.

Office Location(s): The office is located in Guernsey, Wyoming, United States, with frequent travel required across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey.

Geographic Context:

• The office is located in a suburban area with easy access to public transportation and amenities.
• The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation.
• The office is located in a time zone that may require some flexibility in working hours to accommodate international colleagues and partners.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with the possibility of additional hours during peak periods or as needed to meet project deadlines. The role involves frequent travel across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey for team meetings, shoots, and working with partners.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment is modern and professional, with a collaborative and supportive work culture. The location offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation. The time zone may require some flexibility in working hours to accommodate international colleagues and partners.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening.
• Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders.
• Final interview or assessment with the Head of Marketing Communications for the Republic of Ireland.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical skills.
• Cultural fit and alignment with Specsavers' values and mission.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Demonstrate your understanding of Specsavers' brand and marketing communications strategies in your application materials.
• Prepare examples of your past achievements in marketing communications and agency management to discuss during the interview.

ATS Keywords: Marketing Communications, Brand Management, Agency Management, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, Data Analysis, ROI, Innovative Campaigns, Retail Industry

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on communication and stakeholder management skills, project management and organizational skills, data-driven decision-making and analytical skills, and cultural fit and alignment with Specsavers' values and mission.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for marketing communications professionals and are widely available and accessible.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passionate about customers
• Committed to excellence
• Work together as one team
• Take pride in what we do
• Innovative and creative

Work Style:

• Collaborative and supportive work environment
• Focus on results and outcomes
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business results?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative and supportive work environment, and are you able to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are passionate about customers, committed to excellence, and able to work collaboratively and effectively with various teams and stakeholders are likely to be a good fit for Specsavers' culture and work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously may be challenging for some candidates.
• The role requires frequent travel, which may be disruptive to personal or family commitments.
• The role is based in Guernsey, which may require relocation for some candidates.
• The role involves working with international teams and partners, which may require some flexibility in working hours to accommodate different time zones.

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges for this role include managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously, frequent travel, relocation, and working with international teams and partners. Candidates should carefully consider these factors before applying for the role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Senior Marketing Communications Manager role in a retail or consumer goods company, with a focus on brand management, agency management, and stakeholder management.
• However, this role is unique in its focus on the Republic of Ireland market and the integration of creative, media, PR, and social media agencies to achieve brand awareness objectives.
• Career progression in this role may lead to more senior roles within the marketing communications department or the wider company, with opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and projects.

ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to a Senior Marketing Communications Manager role in a retail or consumer goods company, with a unique focus on the Republic of Ireland market and the integration of creative, media, PR, and social media agencies to achieve brand awareness objectives. Career progression in this role may lead to more senior roles within the marketing communications department or the wider company, with opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and projects.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing an annual brand comms brief and audience-centric responses (RTBs) for the Republic of Ireland market, based on business objectives, industry data, and key audience insights.
• Managing the production of broadcast, partnership, social, and PR content for the Republic of Ireland market, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and business objectives.
• Leading a team of internal and external stakeholders to deliver an innovative and impactful marketing campaign for the Republic of Ireland market, achieving specific brand awareness and ROI objectives.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to give candidates an understanding of the types of tasks and responsibilities they may encounter in this role, as well as the level of complexity and strategic thinking required to succeed in the role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical workweek for this role and how flexibility is accommodated for international colleagues and partners?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the marketing communications department?
• Can you provide examples of successful marketing communications campaigns that the company has implemented in the Republic of Ireland market?
• How does the company measure the success of its marketing communications campaigns, and how are these metrics used to inform future strategy and planning?
• What is the company's approach to working with third-party agencies, and how does this role fit into that strategy?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates gain a deeper understanding of the role, the company, and the marketing communications department, as well as the opportunities and challenges that the role may present.

📌 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, demonstrating your understanding of Specsavers' brand and marketing communications strategies.
• Prepare examples of your past achievements in marketing communications and agency management to discuss during the interview.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application 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.