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St. Giles High Street, London

FTC - 15 Months

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Senior Marketing Manager

The Senior Marketing Manager (15-Month FTC) will lead the development and execution of consumer marketing campaigns for theatrical releases distributed by Universal Pictures International UK & Eire.
Reporting to the Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media, the position has two direct reports and manages a team of three. This role is pivotal within the Marketing team and the wider UPI UK & Eire business.


An immediate start is preferred; however candidates with a short notice period (i.e. up to one month) will still be considered.


Upcoming titles in the Universal slate over the next 18 months include:

  • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
  • Michael
  • The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan
  • Untitled third Minions movie
  • Untitled Steven Spielberg movie
  • Sense & Sensibility.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Campaign Leadership: Develop and implement industry-leading marketing campaigns for assigned Universal theatrical releases, ensuring delivery within budget
  • Strategic Oversight: Manage projects with significant strategic and/or financial impact
  • Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of three marketing professionals, overseeing workload, performance, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture aligned with business objectives
  • Film Advocacy: Champion each assigned title internally and externally to ensure focus and visibility across teams and agencies
  • Creative Collaboration: Work closely with the Creative Services Manager and Global Creative team to deliver campaigns tailored to the UK market
  • Agency Management: Brief and manage external agencies (creative and media) to ensure alignment with strategic positioning
  • Cross-Functional Coordination: Project manage integrated campaigns across Publicity, Trade Marketing, Partnerships, Creative, and Data & Insights, ensuring timely and budget-compliant execution
  • Social Media Oversight: Manage social agency activity for allocated titles, ensuring consistent and engaging content throughout the campaign lifecycle
  • Digital Optimization: Review and refine digital media plans leveraging paid, owned, and earned channels
  • Innovation: Drive new initiatives and ideas that maximize ROI and box office performance, partnering with relevant senior managers for special projects and experiential activations
  • Market Expertise: Act as a market expert, sharing insights and best practices to inform strategy and maintain competitive advantage
  • Continuous Improvement: Work with the Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media and Marketing Director to identify efficiencies and deliver best-in-class campaigns.


Specific Deliverables


Campaign Development

  • Develop fully integrated marketing plans for each assigned release, including clear communication strategies, defined target audiences, and media plans
  • Ensure all marketing strategy documents are accurate, well-drafted, and maintained within planning systems
  • Monitor and evaluate campaign performance against objectives.


Insights, Data & Reporting

In partnership with the Senior Digital, Data & Insights Manager and Global Research team:

  • Leverage internal and external data sources to optimise campaigns and maximize box office performance
  • Define territory-specific insights and incorporate learnings into campaign strategies.
  • Share key insights across teams to inform strategic decisions
  • Utilise test-and-learn opportunities from media activity and disseminate findings to relevant stakeholders.


Budget

  • Manage the budget for each assigned project or theatrical release
  • Ensure delivery within the agreed P&L budget while achieving the optimal balance between cost efficiency and quality for all activities.


Communication

  • Host regular team updates to encourage fresh, relevant ideas, ensure campaigns evolve in line with release expectations, and maintain strategic alignment
  • Provide regular updates to the Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media
  • Collaborate with EMEA and HO teams to share ideas and deliver campaign updates; attend cross-territory meetings as the UK representative and circulate key notes to relevant departments
  • Represent Universal Theatrical at company launches, media events, promotional partner activations, and exhibitor events
  • Attend company conferences and meetings as needed to represent the UK theatrical team
  • Communicate and liaise with production companies and filmmakers during campaign planning, as required.


Digital & Social

For allocated titles:

  • Monitor paid media performance across major digital platforms to ensure delivery against audience targets and KPIs
  • Partner with Global Digital and Creative teams on content rollout, identifying asset gaps and territory-specific needs
  • Oversee regular digital reporting and measurement against defined KPIs
  • Manage social agency briefing, approve content calendars, and ensure tone and assets align with campaign objectives
  • Incorporate intelligent data collection and reuse across Universal’s digital estate
  • Work closely with Publicity to execute influencer and content creator strategies
  • Leverage the latest social media trends to ensure creative content effectively engages target audiences.


Creative

  • Collaborate with the Creative Services Manager, Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media, and Global Creative team to develop creative campaigns and communication strategies
  • Adapt, develop, and implement creative campaigns for each assigned release
  • Ensure all communications across functions remain on strategy and within brand guidelines.


Agencies

  • Provide clear written briefs to all appointed agencies, outlining expectations and deliverables
  • Proactively manage agencies to deliver high-quality plans and materials
  • Work with the Creative Services Manager to maintain a balance between cost efficiency and quality.


Publicity

  • Partner with the Publicity team to ensure full integration throughout campaign planning and execution
  • Collaborate with the publicity lead to maintain strategic alignment across all activities.


Innovation

  • Identify and recommend fresh, strategic ideas to enhance each campaign
  • Proactively share examples of innovative marketing - both tactical and strategic - to inspire new thinking within the team
  • Organise and lead creative kick-off brainstorms for each film to generate tailored ideas aligned with objectives and subject matter
  • Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Special Projects, Events & Experiential to deliver impactful activations that maximise ROI.

Qualifications

Key Competencies:

  • Strategic thinker
  • Self-starter with strong autonomy
  • Results-driven with ability to turn ideas into action
  • Relationship builder and team player
  • Inspires creativity and innovation
  • Strong communicator
  • Passionate about film.

About You:

  • Deep understanding of the full marketing mix and ability to deliver innovative campaigns
  • Proven experience in theatrical marketing with a strong track record of success
  • Expertise in digital marketing, including social media strategy and agency management
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships internally and externally
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Strong knowledge of the theatrical market and landscape
  • Skilled in creative development and agency management
  • Demonstrated line management experience.

Next Step:
Please CLICK HERE to see this role on our own careers site and apply.