Senior Manager Marketing - Strategic Projects & Initiatives (Emiratization)

Our client is a well-known large financial services organisation based in the UAE. They are looking to hire a Senior Manager of Marketing handling Strategic Projects & Initiatives.

Job Purpose

The Project Manager for Marketing Strategy & Operations will be responsible for driving and independently managing marketing strategy-based projects within the banks assigned business areas. The individual will work closely with the Group Head of Marketing & Communications to ensure that marketing objectives for all divisions are met. This role will involve tracking marketing budgets, driving business efficiency initiatives, evaluating optimal technology systems, and developing comprehensive marketing strategies aligned with the overall banks strategic goals. The role also requires forward-thinking capabilities, leveraging predictive trends and insights from marketing to enhance business delivery, strengthen competitiveness, and inform strategic decisions. Ensure bringing alignment and synergy across the units within the company.

Key Result Areas

Marketing Strategy & Project Management

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to define and drive marketing strategies and plans that align with the banks overall strategy.
• Proactively manage the marketing calendar for assigned initiatives and tasks, ensuring that all activities are executed on time and within budget.
• Lead the execution of marketing strategy projects, ensuring all objectives are met and resources are allocated effectively.
• Track, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of marketing strategies, functions and initiatives using business analytics and performance data.

Budget & Financial Management

• Monitor and manage the marketing budget for all assigned projects, ensuring expenses align with strategic goals.
• Ensure all financial aspects of marketing operations are efficiently tracked and reconciled, including budgeting and media planning.
• Support the Group Head in expense management, ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal resource allocation and off shoring.

Stakeholder & Team Collaboration

• Work closely with product managers, frontline teams, sales, digital, and research departments to ensure alignment and execution of integrated marketing plans.
• Collaborate with senior members of the marketing team to ensure that marketing plans remain consistent, progressive and aligned with the bank's overall strategy.
• Influence and engage all internal stakeholders, ensuring their support and involvement in the successful implementation of assigned projects

Business Efficiency & Technology Optimization

• Evaluate and assess optimal technology systems, platforms, and tools that can enhance business efficiency within the marketing domain.
• Support ongoing business model improvements, identifying areas where technology and new processes can be driven for marketing effectiveness.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure that all marketing activities comply with relevant operational risk, compliance policies, and procedures, including regulatory and group requirements.
• Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at every stage of marketing activities, from briefing to signoffs, budgeting, and media planning.

Governance & Communication

• Support the Group Head in the governance of marketing and communications, ensuring that all activities are executed with a high degree of professionalism and consistency.
• Ensure effective internal and external communication of marketing initiatives to all relevant stakeholders.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track and report on the progress of all marketing initiatives, comparing actual activities versus planned activities.
• Organize and manage performance data to ensure effective tracking of the success of committed plan.
• RCSA. The risk assessment for the company unit needs to be managed and controlled as a centralized function.

Vendor Management:

• Work with bank approved external suppliers to deliver marketing activities as required ensuring maximum value for the marketing dollar spent by keeping an eye on costs as well as through effective negotiation.
• Manage relationships so that the performance of suppliers is of a standard that the organization would expect and accept, ensuring creative integrity is maintained and quality control is managed in briefing / debriefing and brand adherence.
• Monitor and control the advertising and promotion funds allocated to product programmes as required.

Multi-layered Stakeholders Management:

• Collaborate with various units to review strategic priorities and projects on a quarterly basis, ensuring alignment on deliverables, timelines, and KPIs.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• University degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Proven experience in managing and executing marketing strategies and projects in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• Strong experience in working closely with senior stakeholders and managing cross-functional teams.
• Financially proficient, with experience in budgeting and expense management.
• Experience in evaluating and integrating technology systems to improve business operations.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to track, interpret, and present market data and business performance.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• A collaborative approach, with a proven ability to work effectively with various internal teams (sales, PR, research, digital, etc.).
• High attention to detail and ability to adhere to operational processes and compliance requirements.
• Profound understanding of digital marketing, and business dynamics, including profitability and growth drivers.
• Technology Proficiency:
  • Good understanding of marketing technologies, trends, platforms, and systems that support the effective delivery of marketing campaigns.
  • Familiarity with project management tools and business analytics platforms (e.g., Tableau, Google Analytics, or equivalent).
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Problem Solving: Skilled in identifying issues and formulating solutions that drive business improvement.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage relationships across multiple levels.
• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in managing budgets and ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ability to ensure compliance with policies and regulations in all aspects of marketing operations.
• Experience in managing tech-related marketing projects, such as app launches, digital banking solutions, and data-driven campaigns.
• Entrepreneurial with a strong drive to succeed, committed, and results oriented.
• Innovative thinker with a passion for integrating technology into marketing, strong ideation skills, effective leadership, and attention to detail.
• Proficient in agile methodologies and project management, with experience overseeing complex, tech-focused campaigns from inception through execution.
• Proven ability to engage and influence cross-functional stakeholders, including tech and digital teams, to align on objectives and deliver cohesive projects.
• Track record of leveraging external tech agencies, digital partners, and alliance partnerships to drive outstanding, technology-centric campaigns.
• Hands-on experience in conceptualizing, developing, and executing technology-based marketing campaigns, including product launches, digital engagement initiatives, and omnichannel strategies.