Marketing Manager: SME & Education at iStore

Job Description

• We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Marketing Manager: SME & Education to lead the integrated marketing strategy and execution for two key business channels within a leading technology and retail environment.
• This role is responsible for developing and delivering campaigns that drive brand awareness, customer engagement, lead generation and sales pipeline growth across the SME and Education markets.
• The successful candidate will manage campaigns across digital and traditional channels, oversee agency and creative partners, manage marketing budgets and funding requirements, and lead events and partner activations. This is a hands-on role that combines strategic marketing, campaign execution, digital performance, content, events and people leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Integrated Marketing Strategy & Campaign Management

• Develop and execute integrated marketing plans for the SME and Education channels, aligned to commercial objectives.
• Plan and manage end-to-end campaigns across digital, traditional, retail and experiential channels.
• Develop clear creative briefs and manage the creative development, review and approval process.
• Collaborate with internal marketing teams to coordinate media campaigns and ensure activity launches on time.
• Ensure campaign landing pages, content and supporting assets are ready and accurately implemented ahead of launch.

Digital Marketing & Performance

• Brief and manage digital marketing agencies across paid search, social media, display, video and retail media.
• Develop media schedules covering target audiences, regions, budgets, flighting and required assets.
• Monitor campaign performance and use data and insights to optimise campaigns throughout their lifecycle.
• Ensure campaigns are correctly tracked through UTM structures, GA4 and relevant tracking technologies.
• Analyse campaign results and translate performance data into actionable recommendations and future testing opportunities.
• Develop and manage the newsletter and customer communication calendar across both business units.
• Plan and oversee organic social media content and ensure consistent communication across channels.
• Work with internal content teams and creative partners to develop relevant, engaging marketing assets.
• Collaborate with customer value and CRM teams on targeted lifecycle and customer engagement campaigns.
• Partner with Trade Marketing teams to support in-store, mall and retail marketing initiatives.

Events & Partner Engagement

• Develop event strategies, briefs, objectives and budgets for SME and Education initiatives.
• Manage agencies, suppliers and external partners to ensure events are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
• Develop event toolkits and ensure sales and internal stakeholders are fully briefed.
• Identify opportunities to use events and activations to generate leads, strengthen relationships and support commercial objectives.
• Lead, coach and develop the Events & Marketing Administrator, providing clear objectives and regular performance feedback.
• Own marketing budget tracking and monthly reconciliation across the SME and Education channels.
• Ensure marketing spend is accurately allocated and aligned with approved budgets and funding requirements.
• Manage co-funded/vendor marketing investment and maintain accurate supporting documentation.
• Ensure marketing activities comply with relevant brand, regulatory and legal requirements, including POPIA and advertising standards.

Website & Owned Channels

• Work closely with digital and e-commerce teams to ensure website content remains current and relevant.
• Brief and coordinate website design, content and copy updates.
• Ensure campaign landing pages are delivered accurately and on schedule.
• Identify opportunities to improve owned digital channels and customer journeys.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or a related field.
• 3–5 years' experience in marketing management or a senior marketing coordination role.
• Experience within retail, technology, FMCG or a similar fast-paced consumer environment would be advantageous.
• Proven experience managing integrated marketing campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong experience managing paid and organic digital campaigns through agencies.
• Working knowledge of GA4, UTM tracking, campaign analytics and performance reporting.
• Experience managing marketing budgets and measuring campaign ROI.
• Experience within the SME, B2B or Education sectors would be advantageous.
• Experience with vendor-funded or co-funded marketing programmes would be beneficial.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing team members is advantageous.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic and commercial marketing mindset.
• Excellent campaign and project management skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
• Confident managing agencies, suppliers and creative partners.
• Strong creative judgement and ability to translate commercial objectives into compelling marketing campaigns.
• Highly analytical and comfortable using data to make marketing decisions.
• Strong budget management and financial discipline.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver against tight deadlines.
• Proactive, innovative and solutions-focused.
• Strong people leadership and coaching capability.
• Customer-focused, collaborative and committed to delivering results.