Strategic Marketing Manager

Job content

At Cengage EMEA we have an exciting new opportunity for a strategic marketing manager to join our fast paced and supportive higher education marketing team. As part of the role the strategic marketing manager works on high profile portfolios in the shape of two of the businesses flag ships products. They also support the higher education sales team within what is a highly collaborative wider educational publishing company.Job Title: Strategic Marketing ManagerBusiness Unit: Higher EducationDepartment: EMEA HED MarketingReporting to: Head of MarketingLine Reports: NoneBased: Hybrid, minimum 1 day per week in Andover, Hampshire officeDate last reviewed: August 2022PurposeThe Strategic Marketing Manager (SMM) manages a series of portfolios of Cengage higher education (HE) products to generate new sales leads, support Sales teams, and apply appropriate marketing activities to promote key titles across the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). This role will devise, plan, and implement the strategic marketing plans for the product portfolios.Key AccountabilitiesMarketing Plan

• This role will work with key functions within the business to devise and implement strategies for marketing the portfolio which predominantly consist of locally published titles which are the flagship titles for the business unit, as well as imported products from the US and other international regions. Key activities collaborating with other functions includes gathering market and product intelligence, adapting resources and content for the EMEA audience, and
• Developing multi-channel integrated and content led marketing campaigns aimed at increasing awareness for key products in your portfolios.
• Working with members of the Marketing team to provide clear and detailed briefs to implement customer focused marketing campaigns.

Product Management

• Taking ownership of the portfolio (both print and digital resources and platforms) in all aspects of the marketing remit, striving to increase leads and sales for the lists.
• Participating and presenting in the product and strategy sessions at internal meetings and conferences as well as presenting product information to Sales team in person and using online channels.
• Supporting the Sales team across all markets by creating sales tools to disseminate product and market intelligence. Assist Sales with product queries and offer product knowledge in customer visits or calls.

Market Research

• Conduct market research and analyse data to support customer decisions and to use in marketing campaigns including the write up of case studies.
• Review and monitor current market conditions and competitor activity and adjust marketing strategies accordingly and as necessary.

Other Functions

• Work with Sales, Publishing and other departments regarding future product development, execution of marketing plans and in doing so, identify growth areas and business opportunities for the portfolio.
• Liaise with the US company and international companies to utilise and disseminate market and product information effectively and in a timely manner.

Business- or department-wide activities

• In collaboration with team members, other business functions and international teams, manage projects and initiatives to support business-wide and marketing objectives.
• Work with the Head of Marketing to devise marketing strategies and campaigns to drive customer engagement and qualified leads across the range of marketing channels and seeking new and effective ways to market HE print, eBook and digital solutions.

Pricing

• Periodically review and set the pricing of products to ensure these are competitively priced for EMEA markets.
• Review pricing for key products annually.

Key RelationshipsInternal:Sales, Publishing, and Digital Solutions (customer success) teamsExternal:NoneAuthorisation LimitsNoneTravel RequirementsThe postholder will be required to travel to campuses (approximately 2 trips per year) to learn about the customer experience and support Sales team. Other travel includes an annual marketing planning and team building meeting and an EMEA wide business unit internal conference.Essential Role RequirementsExperience/Achievements

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a Sales or Marketing role and demonstrated a strong track record, and at least 2 years successfully managing product portfolios.
• Experience in understanding sales drivers, product positioning, presentation skills and copywriting.

Skills/knowledge

• Good PC skills with working knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate verbally and in writing, clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrates strong group presentation skills.
• Highly motivated and proactive.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Articulation of facts and ideas are succinct and organised.
• Liaison with other departments, colleagues, customers to exchange information and solve problems.
• Flexible, calm under pressure, even tempered and open-minded.
• Responds to customers in a timely and accurate manner.
• Clearly assesses and identifies customer needs.
• Good time management skills, completing tasks within time and budget.
• Prioritises tasks and functions.
• Balances values, risks, and implications of decisions.
• Makes decisions in a timely, proactive manner.

Desirable Role RequirementsExperience/Achievements

• Experience within Sales or Marketing in education publishing or business information sector.
• Product management experience.

Qualifications

• CIM Diploma in marketing

Cengage GroupWe believe in the power and joy of learningAt Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.Our culture values diversity, engagement, and discoveryOur business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive and diverse workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through inclusive programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-diversity/.