Marketing Planning & Operations Director

Barclays; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a Marketing Planning and Operations Director to drive marketing strategy and execution across its UK operations. This role entails developing strategic initiatives to enhance performance and brand growth, managing insights and analytics, and leading a collaborative team environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, strategic marketing expertise, and a dedication to fostering an inclusive culture.

Benefits

Pension plan

Holiday pay

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts at high street shops and restaurants

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in strategic marketing, planning, or brand management.
• Strong analytical capability using insights to shape strategy.
• Experience managing complex cross-functional marketing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of annual marketing strategy and oversee delivery of marketing plan.
• Own marketing measurement and reporting performance to stakeholders.
• Manage the rolling marketing plan across teams.

Skills

Leadership in strategic marketing

Analytical capability

Communication skills

Job description

Job Title: Marketing Planning and Operations Director

Location: London (Hybrid, 3 days in office)

Contract: 6 month potential extension

Hours: Monday- Friday

Contract Type: Full-time

Role Overview:

We are seeking a Marketing Planning and Operations Director to join Barclays UK (BUK) within the Marketing Centre of Excellence. This role is responsible for developing and leading marketing strategy and planning processes that drive commercial performance, brand growth, and customer outcomes. You will shape short- and long-term marketing plans, manage investment performance, and ensure strategic alignment across BUK segments, products, and executive stakeholders.

You’ll work closely with Marketing, Design, Finance, Insights, and external partners to deliver world-class marketing strategies and execution.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy & Planning:

• Lead development of annual and mid-term marketing strategy aligned to customer and commercial goals.

• Oversee delivery of the annual marketing plan and input into strategic business planning (STP & MTP).

• Ensure strategy is informed by market research, customer insight, and competitor analysis.

Performance Measurement & ROI:

• Own marketing measurement, reporting performance to Finance, BUK ExCo, and product forums.

• Drive optimisation of marketing investment through quarterly and long-term planning cycles.

• Use data and analytics to inform decisions and improve outcomes.

Team Operations & Governance:

• Manage the rolling BUK marketing plan across teams using platforms like Workfront for resource oversight.

• Lead cost optimisation and supplier governance to ensure effective and compliant delivery.

• Define the team’s operating model to execute against strategic objectives.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with senior marketing stakeholders and cross-functional leaders to align on strategic initiatives.

• Ensure consistent and effective communication across key touchpoints throughout the planning lifecycle.

Director-Level Expectations

• Lead a major business function or programme with strategic influence across BUK.

• Guide and coach senior leaders and specialists, building a high-performing, inclusive culture.

• Act as a key spokesperson for the marketing function, representing Barclays externally when needed.

• Drive policy development, budgeting, and risk management within your area of accountability.

• Influence senior decisions at Group level and represent marketing in organisation-wide initiatives.

• Monitor industry and regulatory trends, bringing insight and innovation into Barclays UK’s marketing plans.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven leadership experience in strategic marketing, planning, or brand management.

• Commercially focused, with strong experience managing budgets and maximising ROI.

• Strong analytical capability, using insights to shape strategy and performance tracking.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, particularly with senior stakeholders.

• Experience managing complex cross-functional marketing processes in large organisations.

• Understanding of customer behaviour, segmentation, and brand positioning.

Desirable Skills / Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of agile delivery methodologies and tools like Workfront.

• Experience across both brand and digital marketing.

• Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and embracing new ways of working.

• Strong understanding of competitor and multi-industry marketing strategies.

• Experience building and developing effective leadership teams and succession plans.

About Barclays

Barclays is a British universal bank. It is diversified by business, by different types of customers and clients, and by geography. Barclays businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full-service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by its service company which provides technology, operations, and functional services across the Group.

Values

Everything Barclays does is shaped by its five values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship. The Barclays values inform the foundations of its relationships with customers and clients, but they also shape how Barclays measures and rewards the performance of colleagues. Simply put, success is not just about what you achieve, but about how you achieve it.

Diversity

Barclays aims to foster a culture where individuals of all backgrounds feel confident in bringing their whole selves to work, feel included, and their talents are nurtured, empowering them to contribute fully to Barclays’ vision and goals.

Hybrid

At Barclays, we offer a hybrid working experience that blends the positives of working alongside colleagues at our onsite locations, together with working from home. We have a structured approach where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days of the week, for a minimum of two days a week or more, as set by the business area (or nearest equivalent if working part-time hours). Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that as we continue to embed our hybrid working environment, we remain in a test and learn phase, which means that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Your Benefits

As a contract employee of Randstad Sourceright, you’ll receive a wide range of financial and personal benefits. There’s enrolment in a pension plan (after 12 weeks on assignment) and holiday pay. You’ll also get 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme, designed to help you deal with any problems that could be affecting your home or work life. Plus, there are discounts at a wide range of high street shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues — from Asda to Zizzi Italian restaurants.