Group Marketing Director - Sandton at Wilderness

Primary Purpose:

The Group Marketing Director will lead the marketing strategy for our Wilderness product portfolio and contribute to the overall growth of our organization. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and results-oriented individual to make a significant impact and shape the future of our marketing strategies.

The successful incumbent will be responsible for creating and executing marketing plans that drive brand awareness, consumer engagement, and revenue growth through both Consumer and B2B Sales. The Group Marketing Director will lead a team of marketers and collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the organization. This role requires a strong knowledge of marketing principles, excellent organizational skills, a data-driven approach to campaign management and a passion for leading and developing a team.

Key Responsibilities:

Brand Positioning:

• Responsible for analysing Wilderness’s brand positioning, competitive landscape, and utilizing data-driven customer insights to shape marketing communications and targeting.
• Responsible for measuring and reporting the performance of all marketing campaigns and assessing them against goals (ROI and KPIs).
• Lead the development and execution of marketing strategies to increase the visibility and brand awareness of Wilderness, targeting the affluent, adventuresome traveler in alignment with the company's vision and goals.
• Oversee the creation and execution of captivating and impactful marketing campaigns that showcase the unique experiences Wilderness offers, ensuring all messaging is consistent, compelling and stays true to the Wilderness Brand Identity.
• Oversee content creation efforts, ensuring the delivery of on-brand high-quality and engaging content that resonates with our target audience.

Team Direction:

• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of passionate marketers, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Develop and implement channel and communication strategies, ensuring consistent messaging and branding across all marketing channels.
• Effectively lead and inspire the marketing team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture that drives innovation, creativity, and accountability.
• Provide compassionate leadership and access to the skills and coaching needed to optimize performance within the marketing team.
• Act as a thought leader within the organization to develop innovative growth strategies and evolve current business practices.

Wilderness Collective:

• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the business to understand their objectives and ensure marketing efforts align with overall business goals.
• Work closely with the Direct and Agent Network sales teams to develop and provide sales tools and content that effectively communicate the unique experiences offered by our products.
• Drive loyalty and retention marketing initiatives, leveraging customer insights and data to maximize customer lifetime value.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, operations, product development, and customer service, to ensure marketing efforts align with overall business objectives and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with creative and advertising agencies to build the brand architecture, positioning, and brand identity for affluent travelers.

Campaign Performances:

• Ensure all marketing practices adhere to legal requirements and ethical guidelines, maintaining compliance across all channels and campaigns.
• Manage marketing budgets effectively and allocate resources to maximize return on investment.
• Monitor and analyse marketing campaign performance, using data-driven insights to constantly optimize marketing efforts and drive conversions
• Conduct market research and keep up-to-date with industry trends to identify new opportunities, emerging markets, and potential threats, providing insights and recommendations to senior management.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.

Brand Ambassador:

• Represent Wilderness as a brand ambassador at key industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to build relationships with stakeholders and attract new customers.
• Willingness to travel internationally on occasion to work with teams across different locations and attend industry events as required.
• Passion for conservation and transformative travel experiences, aligned with Wilderness's mission and values.

Skill Set - Qualifications - Experience:

Skill Set:

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams across different geographical locations.
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking abilities, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and ROI analysis.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to create compelling marketing messages and effectively present ideas to diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and effectively collaborate with diverse teams.

Qualifications / Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience as a senior marketing leader for a minimum of 8 years, preferably in the luxury travel sector.
• Proven experience in marketing, brand management, and product marketing.
• Experience in the travel or hospitality industry, particularly targeting affluent travelers.
• Prior experience in developing co-branded marketing assets and promotions.
• Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with marketing analytics tools.
• Previous experience managing a team or leading a marketing department.