Marketing Operations Manager

Early Settler Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Early Settler is seeking an experienced Marketing Operations Manager to lead the end-to-end marketing operations function across Australia and New Zealand. You will run the in-house Studio Team (Photography, Videography, Styling) and Creative/Graphic Design, turning briefs into production plans and ensuring timely delivery with high standards.

You will collaborate with marketing, product and retail teams, optimize workflows, manage budgets and vendor relationships, and drive adoption of

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in marketing operations, studio or creative production management.
• Proven people leadership experience, ideally within retail or an omnichannel business.
• Strong understanding of creative and production workflows with ability to deliver campaigns on time and to a high standard.
• Experience improving processes, workflows and production efficiency.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing budgets, vendors and operational KPIs.
• Experience with work/project management and digital asset management platforms.
• An interest in using technology and AI to improve how teams work.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Teams, SharePoint and marketing automation platforms will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve marketing operations across AU & NZ.
• Oversee the in-house Creative & Studio team including photography, videography, styling and design.
• Manage workflow, scheduling and resource allocation for the in-house Studio.
• Improve production turnaround times and eliminate operational bottlenecks.
• Manage operational budgets, freelancers and external production vendors.
• Establish and track KPIs including turnaround times, throughput and resource utilisation.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between marketing, creative, product and retail.
• Lead the integration of AI-generated imagery and other emerging content technologies into our creative workflows, with quality control to protect brand consistency.
• Coach and develop a high-performing team through clear goals, feedback and accountability.

Job description

Since 1985, we've been helping Australians and New Zealanders create homes they love. Today, with more than 70 stores across Australia and New Zealand, we’re known for stylish, affordable and built-to-last furniture and homewares.

We are more than a retailer - we're a growing, dynamic retail business driven by creativity, customer focus and a passion for making beautiful living accessible to everyone. But what truly sets us apart isn’t just our product range - it’s our people and the way we work together.

What is the role?

We are looking for an experienced Marketing Operations Manager to join our Marketing & Customer Experience team and take ownership of the operational engine behind our marketing function.

This is a key leadership role responsible for the end-to-end marketing operations function, ensuring our website and campaign creative assets and studio output are delivered efficiently, on time and to a high standard.

You will lead our in-house Studio Team (Photography, Videography, Styling) and Creative/Graphic Design teams, while managing the workflows, resources, technology and processes that bring our marketing activity to life across Australia and New Zealand.

Working closely with the Head of Marketing & Planning and the broader marketing, product and retail teams, you will turn briefs and business priorities into clear production plans and make sure the right people, resources and processes are in place to deliver.

You will be responsible for:

• · Lead and continuously improve marketing operations across AU & NZ
• · Oversee the in-house Creative & Studio team including photography, videography, styling and design
• · Manage workflow, scheduling and resource allocation for the in-house Studio
• · Improve production turnaround times and eliminate operational bottlenecks
• · Manage operational budgets, freelancers and external production vendors
• · Establish and track KPIs including turnaround times, throughput and resource utilisation
• · Drive cross-functional collaboration between marketing, creative, product and retail
• · Lead the integration of AI-generated imagery and other emerging content technologies into our creative workflows, with quality control to protect brand consistency
• · Coach and develop a high-performing team through clear goals, feedback and accountability

Why you’ll love working with us

When you choose to work at Early Settler, you’ll be empowered to think differently, contribute ideas, and be part of a team that supports and inspires each other. Our values shape how we support each other, serve our customers and grow as a business - we believe “how” we work is just as important as “what” we achieve.

In addition, you will have:

• - Amazing employee discounts – Enjoy amazing employee discounts across our fabulous products. Fair warning: you may find yourself wanting to redecorate every room!
• - Own it, lead it, improve it – Take real ownership of our marketing operations function, lead a talented creative team and shape smarter, more efficient ways of working.
• - A role with real impact – Play a key role in how our marketing comes to life across Australia and New Zealand, with the opportunity to influence priorities, processes and performance.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a commercially driven and experienced marketing operations leader who enjoys bringing structure, efficiency and accountability to a creative environment.

You will have:

• · 8+ years' experience in marketing operations, studio or creative production management
• · Proven people leadership experience, ideally within retail or an omnichannel business
• · Strong understanding of creative and production workflows with demonstrated ability to deliver campaigns on time and to a high standard
• · Experience improving processes, workflows and production efficiency
• · Commercial acumen and experience managing budgets, vendors and operational KPIs
• · Experience with work/project management and digital asset management platforms
• · An interest in using technology and AI to improve how teams work
• · Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Teams, SharePoint and marketing automation platforms will be advantageous.