Senior Marketing Manager

All; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading film distribution company in the UK is seeking a Senior Marketing Manager to develop and execute innovative marketing campaigns for theatre releases. The role involves managing a marketing team and collaborating closely with creative teams while ensuring budget compliance and strategic alignment. The ideal candidate should possess a strong background in theatrical marketing, excellent interpersonal skills, and a passion for film, with proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the full marketing mix and ability to deliver innovative campaigns.
• Proven experience in theatrical marketing with a strong track record of success.
• Expertise in digital marketing, including social media strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of consumer marketing campaigns.
• Manage a team of three marketing professionals.
• Ensure timely and budget-compliant execution of marketing strategies.

Skills

Strategic thinker

Results-driven

Relationship builder

Strong interpersonal skills

Creative and innovative

Job description

Senior Marketing Manager (15-Month FTC)

The Senior Marketing Manager will lead the development and execution of consumer marketing campaigns for theatrical releases distributed by Universal Pictures International UK & Eire.

Reporting to the Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media, the position has two direct reports and manages a team of three.

An immediate start is preferred; however candidates with a short notice period (i.e. up to one month) will still be considered.

Upcoming Titles

• The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
• The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan
• Untitled third Minions movie
• Untitled Steven Spielberg movie
• Sense & Sensibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Campaign Leadership: Develop and implement industry-leading marketing campaigns for assigned Universal theatrical releases, ensuring delivery within budget.
• Strategic Oversight: Manage projects with significant strategic and/or financial impact.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of three marketing professionals, overseeing workload, performance, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture aligned with business objectives.
• Film Advocacy: Champion each assigned title internally and externally to ensure focus and visibility across teams and agencies.
• Creative Collaboration: Work closely with the Creative Services Manager and Global Creative team to deliver campaigns tailored to the UK market.
• Agency Management: Brief and manage external agencies (creative and media) to ensure alignment with strategic positioning.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Project manage integrated campaigns across Publicity, Trade Marketing, Partnerships, Creative, and Data & Insights, ensuring timely and budget-compliant execution.
• Social Media Oversight: Manage social agency activity for allocated titles, ensuring consistent and engaging content throughout the campaign lifecycle.
• Digital Optimization: Review and refine digital media plans leveraging paid, owned, and earned channels.
• Innovation: Drive new initiatives and ideas that maximize ROI and box office performance, partnering with relevant senior managers for special projects and experiential activations.
• Market Expertise: Act as a market expert, sharing insights and best practices to inform strategy and maintain competitive advantage.
• Continuous Improvement: Work with the Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media and Marketing Director to identify efficiencies and deliver best-in-class campaigns.

Campaign Development

• Develop fully integrated marketing plans for each assigned release, including clear communication strategies, defined target audiences, and media plans.
• Ensure all marketing strategy documents are accurate, well-drafted, and maintained within planning systems.
• Monitor and evaluate campaign performance against objectives.

Insights, Data & Reporting

In partnership with the Senior Digital, Data & Insights Manager and Global Research team:

• Leverage internal and external data sources to optimise campaigns and maximize box office performance.
• Define territory-specific insights and incorporate learnings into campaign strategies.
• Share key insights across teams to inform strategic decisions.
• Utilise test-and-learn opportunities from media activity and disseminate findings to relevant stakeholders.

Budget

• Manage the budget for each assigned project or theatrical release.
• Ensure delivery within the agreed P&L budget while achieving the optimal balance between cost efficiency and quality for all activities.

Communication

• Host regular team updates to encourage fresh, relevant ideas, ensure campaigns evolve in line with release expectations, and maintain strategic alignment.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media.
• Collaborate with EMEA and HO teams to share ideas and deliver campaign updates; attend cross-territory meetings as the UK representative and circulate key notes to relevant departments.
• Represent Universal Theatrical at company launches, media events, promotional partner activations, and exhibitor events.
• Attend company conferences and meetings as needed to represent the UK theatrical team.
• Communicate and liaise with production companies and filmmakers during campaign planning, as required.

Digital & Social

For allocated titles:

• Monitor paid media performance across major digital platforms to ensure delivery against audience targets and KPIs.
• Partner with Global Digital and Creative teams on content rollout, identifying asset gaps and territory-specific needs.
• Oversee regular digital reporting and measurement against defined KPIs.
• Manage social agency briefing, approve content calendars, and ensure tone and assets align with campaign objectives.
• Incorporate intelligent data collection and reuse across Universal’s digital estate.
• Work closely with Publicity to execute influencer and content creator strategies.
• Leverage the latest social media trends to ensure creative content effectively engages target audiences.

Creative

• Collaborate with the Creative Services Manager, Head of Marketing Campaigns & Media, and Global Creative team to develop creative campaigns and communication strategies.
• Adapt, develop, and implement creative campaigns for each assigned release.
• Ensure all communications across functions remain on strategy and within brand guidelines.
• Provide clear written briefs to all appointed agencies, outlining expectations and deliverables.
• Proactively manage agencies to deliver high-quality plans and materials.
• Work with the Creative Services Manager to maintain a balance between cost efficiency and quality.
• Partner with the Publicity team to ensure full integration throughout campaign planning and execution.
• Collaborate with the publicity lead to maintain strategic alignment across all activities.
• Identify and recommend fresh, strategic ideas to enhance each campaign.
• Proactively share examples of innovative marketing—both tactical and strategic—to inspire new thinking within the team.
• Organise and lead creative kick-off brainstorms for each film to generate tailored ideas aligned with objectives and subject matter.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Special Projects, Events & Experiential to deliver impactful activations that maximise ROI.

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker.
• Self-starter with strong autonomy.
• Results-driven with ability to turn ideas into action.
• Relationship builder and team player.
• Inspires creativity and innovation.
• Passionate about film.

About You

• Deep understanding of the full marketing mix and ability to deliver innovative campaigns.
• Proven experience in theatrical marketing with a strong track record of success.
• Expertise in digital marketing, including social media strategy and agency management.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships internally and externally.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong knowledge of the theatrical market and landscape.
• Skilled in creative development and agency management.
• Demonstrated line management experience.

Next Step

Please see this role on our own careers site and apply.