Head of Marketing

Opportunity Brief:  Head of Marketing
Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our client's organisation with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.

We have been retained and appointed by our client company on the search for a Head of Marketing who will play a pivotal role in leading and developing the Group's marketing function across the UK and Ireland.

Below you will find an 'opportunity brief' developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Director of Executive Search and Senior Research Associate (Ford and Stanley Executive Search) and the Managing Directors of the business. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

The Role:

This role is the company's first appointment in marketing at a senior level and the first that will hold a group-wide remit. The role will be supported by two Marketing Managers, one UK (to be hired) and one in Ireland. The Marketing Managers will divide the marketing brief between them (Websites & PPC, and content development & social media) as well as supporting their regional businesses with day-to-day marketing and communications.

This is a responsive and entrepreneurial business, and a successful Head of Marketing will need to be similarly responsive and entrepreneurial. Developing and executing effective marketing plans is a central part of this role, as is managing our brand. But importantly, they will bring a drive to see results, and through their market insight and expertise, they will identify, grasp and exploit opportunity as it arises. 

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• The role is a blank canvas. For the right candidate, it's an opportunity to completely build a marketing function and capability with support and interest from the executive leadership team. This may be quite daunting for some candidates.
• Whilst we need a mid to long-term strategy that will need to be executed, there are day-to-day / week-to-week low-hanging fruit opportunities which are not being capitalised upon.
• We require a hands-on leader (not a strategic marketing director) who is passionate and inspired by rolling up the sleeves and into the muck and bullets to help grab the marketing function and strategy by the scruff and drive it through to operational excellence.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• A clear, measurable marketing strategy aligned to Group growth objectives. Increased brand visibility and awareness across key sectors and markets.
• Campaigns that drive qualified leads and support sales conversion. High-performing digital channels that contribute to business development. Insightful competitor and market analysis that supports strategic decisions.
• Development of a marketing team with growing capability and impact.

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

§  Experience of developing and delivering (hands-on) channelled/targeted marketing strategies across the full marketing matrix.

§  Open-minded as to securing a Senior Marketing Manager ready for a step up or an experienced head of / director of Marketing.

§  In-depth knowledge of brand development, digital marketing, content strategy and media engagement across multiple product lines. 

§  Demonstrable marketing experience within a senior B2B marketing role, ideally within engineering, industrial or technical sectors. Open to candidates from retail, FMCG, construction or worked for a group servicing subsidiaries.

§  Track record of balancing/delivering long-term marketing strategies, yet reactive to day-to-day / week-to-week initiatives.

§  Experience of managing a small team / developing people.

§  Demonstrable examples of managing up and challenging/advising a business leadership team as the expert in your field.  

§  Track record of working with/for multiple stakeholders (this role has several reporting facets).

§  A passion and eagerness to get hands-on in the role and examples of where they have led from the front in all marketing activities

§   Strong analytical data-driven mindset, with the ability to translate insight into action.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

§  A dynamic, agile and organised individual who can react quickly to market/weather changes to capitalise on marketing content opportunities.

§  Strength in character with the ability to consult and advise a leadership team that are not themselves marketing experts. (Not wait to be told)

§  Client-facing / customer-facing and engaging personality.

§   Commercially minded with the ability to work to a high degree of autonomy and self-motivation.

§  Strong communicator.

Working Arrangements & Location:

The Head of Marketing will be based out of our clients HQ in the Hampshire area. This role is offered with flexibility, but it's expected that the nature of the role and the location of key teams and stakeholders will mean the appointee will be onsite around 3 days a week.

The Company's Interview Process:

• 1st Stage interview: Teams interview or on-site interview (dependent on availability) with both MDs and the Interim HRD.
• Psychometric Assessment: Will be sent to successful candidates between the 1st and 2nd stage interviews. Organised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Thomas International)
• Final Stage interview: On-site interview with the MD's.
• 'Rubber stamping stage': With the Group CEO

Ford & Stanley Interview Process:

• 1st Stage - Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
• 2nd Stage - The 'shortlist': Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.

Good to know:

• The business offers a broad range of products, services and solutions and has locations across the UK.
• The Head of Marketing position is a brand-new role and function for the business, and therefore it is a blank canvas for this person to make their own.
• Whilst the Head of Marketing reports to the Group CEO, their day-to-day engagement will be with the two Managing Directors (one based in the UK and one based in Ireland) and actively focusing on marketing activity to drive engagement, lead generation and business growth.
• The Head of Marketing will be required to line manage and develop a team of two Marketing Managers, setting clear goals, providing coaching, and supporting progression.
• Requires an experienced and commercially minded Head of Marketing to lead and develop the Group's marketing function across the UK and Ireland.
• The UK business is headquartered in Hampshire and the Irish business in Dublin. Following acquisitions, there are a number of brands in operation across the two jurisdictions.
• This role is the company's first appointment in marketing at a senior level and the first that will hold a group-wide remit. The role will be supported by two Marketing Managers, one UK (to be hired) and one in Ireland. The Marketing Managers will divide th