Head of Marketing - DK Marketing & Communications

Dorling Kindersley; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing firm in Hounslow is seeking a Head of Marketing to shape the UK's marketing strategy for diverse adult non-fiction titles. The role involves developing innovative campaigns, leading a dynamic marketing team, and managing budgets. Ideal candidates must have strong marketing experience, excellent communication skills, and a good sense of consumer trends. The position offers a hybrid working model, combining home and office work, along with comprehensive benefits including generous holiday and pension schemes.

Benefits

25 days paid holiday entitlement

Generous pension scheme

60% discount on company books

Up to 30 days remote working from abroad

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven experience in delivering impactful marketing campaigns across lifestyle brands.
• Confidence in building strong relationships and stakeholder engagement.
• Good instinct for emerging trends and consumer preferences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK marketing strategy for the DK Living division.
• Develop and deliver creative campaigns for frontlist and backlist titles.
• Manage the marketing budget and oversee campaign evaluations.

Skills

Strategic marketing

Creative thinking

Project management

Campaign management

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a strategic and creative marketing professional to become part of the DK Living Marketing team.

As Head of Marketing, you’ll shape and deliver the UK marketing strategy for a wonderfully varied adult non-fiction publishing programme across our Life, Travel, Knowledge and Alpha divisions. You’ll lead standout campaigns for our biggest frontlist titles and develop a smart, forward‑looking approach to our backlist that continues to build sales and momentum.

We’re looking for a positive, highly organised self‑starter with proven experience of delivering impactful, high‑level campaigns across lifestyle brands, ideally with a mix of narrative and illustrated publishing. You’ll be a confident communicator who enjoys bringing people together, building strong relationships and keeping colleagues and partners excited and aligned around our publishing vision.

You’ll have a good instinct for emerging trends and a strong sense of what resonates with consumers. Working hand‑in‑hand with the PR team to deliver integrated campaigns, your judgement, curiosity and collaborative approach will help to propel DK Living’s publishing forward with real energy and purpose.

Key Responsibilities

• Setting and leading the UK marketing strategy for the DK Living division (Life, Travel, Knowledge, Alpha), ensuring it’s commercially focused and future‑facing
• Developing and delivering creative frontlist campaigns and smart, effective backlist programmes that drive sustained sales
• Leading, supporting and developing a high‑performing marketing team
• Bringing audience insight and strategic recommendations into the acquisitions process
• Overseeing campaign evaluation and sharing clear, constructive insights with colleagues across the business
• Managing the marketing budget, including forecasting and regular review
• Building strong internal engagement so that stakeholders remain well‑informed, aligned and enthusiastic about our plans

Benefits

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Volunteering policy and charity matching
• Employee assistance programme
• 60% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Shopping discounts
• Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*)
• Up to 30 days remote working from abroad*

*Subject to certain criteria being met.

Diversity and Inclusion

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

Work Location

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office. This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in our Pimlico office. As this is non‑negotiable, please ensure you are within a reasonable commuting distance of London before applying.

Closing Date

Closing date for applications: 4th January 2026

Supporting Applicants

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org