Senior Manager - Marketing Strategy

GMG; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Manager of Strategy to drive innovative marketing initiatives across diverse sectors. This pivotal role involves collaborating with clients and internal teams to develop actionable strategies that enhance brand growth and deliver measurable results. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, exceptional communication abilities, and a proven track record in strategy development. Join a vibrant and inclusive work environment that promotes growth and innovation, where you can make a significant impact on the future of well-being in the region.

Benefits

Comprehensive family medical insurance

Family residency sponsorship

Flight allowances

Up to 30% discount in premium retail stores

Up to 20% discount in pharmacy chain

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategy development within an agency or consultancy.
• Fluent in English and Arabic; additional languages are a plus.
• Digital Marketing Certification is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of integrated marketing strategies for diverse clients.
• Analyze market trends and consumer behavior for growth opportunities.
• Mentor junior strategists and foster a culture of collaboration.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Client Engagement

Market Analysis

Team Collaboration

Performance Measurement

Digital Marketing

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

MBA

Tools

Data Analysis Tools

Market Research Methodologies

Job description

Who we are

GMG is a global well-being company retailing, distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years, GMG is a valued partner of choice for the world's most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Klassic, and international brands like Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita's, and McCain.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager Strategy will play a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives for GMG's clients, ensuring that insights, market trends, and innovative thinking translate into actionable plans. As a senior member of the team, he/she will partner with clients, creative teams, and other agency functions to develop strategies that build brands, drive growth, and deliver measurable results.

Accountabilities

Core Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the development of integrated marketing and business strategies for clients across diverse industries, including retail, FMCG, health, and beauty.
• Translate complex business challenges into clear, actionable strategic frameworks.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to align agency solutions with client objectives.

Client Engagement:

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor for GMG's clients, maintaining strong relationships and delivering value-driven solutions.
• Facilitate workshops and presentations to align client teams with proposed strategies.
• Regularly evaluate and adjust strategic recommendations to align with client performance and market changes.

Research & Insights:

• Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes to identify growth opportunities.
• Utilize data-driven insights to inform creative and business strategies.
• Conduct brand audits, positioning exercises, and category deep dives to uncover actionable insights.

Team Collaboration:

• Work closely with creative, media, and account teams to ensure seamless integration of strategy into execution.
• Mentor and guide junior strategists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Performance Measurement:

• Define KPIs and track the effectiveness of strategic initiatives to ensure measurable success.
• Utilize analytics tools to refine strategies based on performance insights.

People Management:

The incumbent is responsible for setting clear objectives and performance targets in collaboration with team members, ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals. This role involves actively mentoring, guiding, and providing direction to the team to cultivate skill development, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. The incumbent applies structured performance management practices to monitor progress, troubleshoot issues, and drive the team towards achieving periodic KPIs. Through strategic oversight and regular feedback, the incumbent fosters a results-oriented environment, empowering the team to meet and exceed established benchmarks while supporting both individual and collective growth.

Functional/Technical Competencies:

• Expertise in brand strategy, marketing communications, and digital transformation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a knack for distilling complexity into clarity.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and market research methodologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including commercial and operational team, to align marketing strategies with business goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, vendors, and agencies.
• Communicate marketing plans and results to management and other stakeholders.
• Soft Skills: Collaborative, innovative, detail-oriented, and adaptable.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field. An MBA is a plus.
• years of experience in similar role of strategy development within an agency or consultancy environment, with a strong track record of delivering impactful strategies.
• Fluent in English and Arabic skills (written and spoken). Any additional language is an asset (French, Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi)
• Digital Marketing Certification/ Marketing Strategy & Leadership Certification/ Data & Analytics Certifications

Why Join GMG

At GMG, we're dedicated to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging work environment that promotes growth, innovation, and well-being. Join us in our mission to inspire victories that make the world better for our team, our consumers, and our communities.

If you're seeking a challenging role where you can make a significant impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to become a part of our journey.

What we offer

• An opportunity to become part of diverse teams with international exposure
• Comprehensive family medical insurance
• Family residency sponsorship and flight allowances
• Up to 30% discount in our premium retail sports brand stores
• Up to 20% discount in our pharmacy chain