The Financial Times is looking for an experienced marketing professional to support both the Retail and Education circulation business.
This person will be responsible for all trade marketing activities associated with these channels. They will work within the EMEA marketing team and work closely with the UK Circulation Director and his sales team, together with the Head of Global Brand. The objective is to deliver marketing activity within budget that drives profitable circulation through Retail (both independent and multiple) and Education channels. The UK is the largest individual region for the FT and these channels account for over 60% of sales.
The role involves developing marketing strategies and plans for the 2 channels, executing activity that is integrated with other marketing channels, providing regular reviews on performance and delivering collateral and materials that support the sales team. The Education channel combines both Retail and Subscription sales for the newspaper and FT.com.
The ideal candidate will combine strong professional marketing skills and a commercial awareness with a passion for driving sales and revenues for one of the world’s leading media brands. The remit is primarily UK focused but collaboration across the FT Group & Pearson, globally, is essential.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
• Develop marketing strategy and 6/12 month plan for both UK Retail and Education channels, liaising with UK Circulation Director, Retail individuals in other regions and Head of Brand, to meet agreed sales, revenue and budget targets. It is essential that these plans are fully integrated with other channel marketing activity.
• Manage, implement and evaluate promotional campaigns: identify sponsors / partners, develop proposal & brief, work with agencies & internally to implement, liaise with editorial and key stakeholders across the business, coordinate requirements from other regions where required; explore opportunities to link activity with Pearson.
• Explore opportunities for POS & tailored promotions across the independent retail trade and develop appropriate materials & activity that is integrated creatively with other channels. Identify appropriate sales tools that assist the Field Sales Team in the delivery of sales targets; develop and deliver within budget.
• Work with Circulation Sales & Subscriptions Marketing to promote the FT to students & lecturers, developing and delivering appropriate materials both on- and off-line to deliver both retail sales and subscriptions. Consider pricing, distribution, promotional and product strategies for this market – both newspaper and FT.com, liaising with other regions to see what cross-regional efficiencies can be made.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
• Highly skilled in trade/retail marketing, commercially driven
• Proven experience in delivering an integrated marketing plan, with a focus on trade/retail marketing for independents and multiples and promotional activity
• Strong judgement at designing and evaluating business proposals, offers, messages, creative’s and copy
• Strong numerical, presentation and verbal skills; quick thinker and clear communicator, attention to detail
• Strong people and project management skills to work with commercial partners and agencies
• Results-driven, focused on delivery but able to think strategically
Desirable
• Have strong industry network and relationships with established retail groups
• Past publishing / media industry experience
• Brand management experience
• Have a strong personal interest in the news media, relishing the chance to help build the future of one of the great global brands in global business media