📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager Brand Communications ROI
🔹 Company: Specsavers
🔹 Location: Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with frequent travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading industry-leading and innovative marketing communications for Specsavers in the Republic of Ireland
- Working closely with UK and Ireland strategy teams to understand business objectives and develop annual brand comms briefs
- Managing budgets and agency relationships to ensure alignment with business goals
- Driving excellence by continually feeding key learnings and insights into planning, activation, and media strategy
- Signing off all local content for brand campaigns and activities for individual stores and hubs in Ireland
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, project management, and stakeholder management skills. It also demands a strong understanding of data analysis and a talent for telling great stories.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the integration of creative, media, PR, and social media agencies to hit brand awareness and ROI objectives
✅ Work closely with UK and Ireland strategy teams to understand business objectives and develop annual brand comms briefs and audience-centric responses (RTBs)
✅ Bring brand comms plans to life with the help of agencies and wider teams, 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
✅ Take full ownership of briefing output requirements to agencies, setting key deadlines and expectations, and acting as the final sign-off on content once the plan is agreed
✅ 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 everything on track
✅ Put effective systems in place for continuous sharing of content and plans, and sign 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 involves frequent travel across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey for team meetings, shoots, and working with partners.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in marketing communications, digital media, and social media
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in marketing communications and digital media
- Strong project and stakeholder management skills
- Data analysis and improvement skills
- Budget management and agency management experience
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with retail or healthcare brands
- Fluency in Irish or another relevant language
ASSUMPTION: A Master's degree in a related field or relevant certifications would be an asset but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £50,000 - £65,000 per annum (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Competitive pension scheme
- Health and wellness benefits
- Generous holiday allowance
- Employee discounts on Specsavers products
Working Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with frequent travel required
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail (Optical & Hearing Care)
Company Size: Medium (158 employees)
Founded: 1984 (Blackpool, UK)
Company Description:
- Specsavers is a multinational optical retail chain founded in 1984 by Doug and Mary Perkins
- It operates in over 10 countries worldwide, with a presence in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
- The company specializes in providing affordable, high-quality eye care and hearing services
Company Specialties:
- Optical services
- Hearing care
- Retail optical products
Company Website: www.specsavers.com
ASSUMPTION: Specsavers is a well-established company with a strong presence in the optical and hearing care industry. It is known for its affordable and high-quality products and services.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Marketing for Ireland
Work Arrangement: On-site with frequent travel across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Head of Marketing or similar role within the company
- Expanding responsibilities within the Ireland market or across other international markets
- Developing expertise in brand communications and marketing strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to progress to more senior roles within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment
Office Location(s): Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Fareham is located in Hampshire, on the south coast of England
- The office is conveniently located near public transportation and local amenities
- The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to both the city of Portsmouth and the countryside
Work Schedule: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with frequent travel required
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Specsavers is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with the Head of Marketing for Ireland
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Project management and stakeholder management abilities
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Communication and storytelling skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Specsavers' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include specific examples of your achievements in marketing communications, digital media, and social media
- Demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company by showing how your skills and experience align with the job requirements
ATS Keywords: Marketing Communications, Digital Media, Social Media, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, Data Analysis, Budget Management, Agency Management, Content Creation, Brand Strategy, Public Relations, Audience Insights, Campaign Planning, Innovation, ROI Analysis, Storytelling
ASSUMPTION: The application process at Specsavers is thorough and competitive, with a strong focus on finding the best fit for the role and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's background and the company's preferences.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passionate about customers
- Committed to professional development
- Work together as one team
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Focused on continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate your passion for customers in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you worked collaboratively with a team to achieve a common goal?
- How do you approach continuous learning and professional development?
ASSUMPTION: Specsavers values a strong cultural fit and looks for candidates who align with their core values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple agencies and stakeholders simultaneously
- Balancing the need for innovation with the requirement to meet specific ROI objectives
- Working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
- Frequent travel across the UK, ROI, and Guernsey
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Marketing Manager or Brand Communications Manager, but with a specific focus on ROI and working across multiple markets (UK, ROI, and Guernsey)
- It requires a higher level of strategic thinking and stakeholder management than a typical Marketing Manager role
- Career progression in this role could lead to more senior positions within the company, such as Head of Marketing or Marketing Director
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a successful brand awareness campaign across multiple markets
- Managing a team of agency partners to deliver innovative and engaging content that meets specific ROI objectives
- Analyzing campaign performance data to identify trends, optimize strategies, and improve future campaigns
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, project management, and data analysis skills required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics for this role?
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for Specsavers in Ireland?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Specsavers support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance for this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the company, and the work environment.
📌 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
- Prepare examples of your achievements in marketing communications, digital media, and social media
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the process
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
