Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Location: London, Watford or Bristol (Hybrid working options available)

This senior role leads and embeds Canada Life UK’s digital marketing strategy, owning the web front end across UK sites and shaping the web infrastructure, content and journeys for priority audiences. The role holder will upweight the contribution of digital channels, platforms and tools, support the wider digital transformation, set and track clear performance targets, and manage the digital team and budget.

They will define and deliver a data driven digital strategy that maximises use of digital marketing and content to build Canada Life’s reputation, grow income and partnerships, and increase market impact. With proven experience of leading digital teams in financial services and a strong customer focus, the role holder will influence how digital supports UK business objectives, working closely with stakeholders across corporate reputation, propositions, people experience, internal communications, marketing, IT and the global GWLE digital teams

What You'll Do

Lead digital engagement strategy and web experience

Own and evolve Canada Life UK’s digital engagement strategy, including the web front end for all UK websites. Define and develop the web infrastructure, user journeys and content in partnership with the marketing team to improve engagement, conversion and satisfaction across priority audiences.

Drive digital transformation, capability and planning

Lead the development and implementation of the digital strategy and annual plan, in collaboration with the Head of Marketing Operations. Upweight the role of digital channels, platforms and tools (e.g. SEO, marketing automation, personalisation), and design a programme of digital marketing training and technical support to build capability across the marketing function

Own digital performance, insight and optimisation

Set clear KPIs and performance targets for all digital activity, ensuring robust tracking, analysis and reporting. Translate insight into actionable optimisation plans to improve channel effectiveness, ROI and customer outcomes, and provide regular performance updates to senior stakeholders.

Lead the digital team, resources and budget

Manage and develop the digital marketing team, ensuring the right structure, skills and ways of working are in place. Own the digital budget and resource planning, prioritising activity to deliver maximum strategic and commercial value.

Stakeholder, supplier and technology leadership

Lead relationships with key business stakeholders, IT and external suppliers to deliver cost effective, scalable digital solutions. Act as the primary interface with IT for marketing technology, oversee relationships with external technology and platform providers, and ensure appropriate governance, risk management and compliance across all digital activity.

Who You Are

Technical Expertise

• Proven leadership experience in a senior digital marketing or e commerce role, including delivery of digital transformation programmes.

• Skilled practitioner with a strong track record in developing and executing customer insight led digital strategies that grow traffic, conversion, engagement and leads.

• Broad knowledge of digital marketing across SEO/SEM, PPC, email and database marketing, and organic and paid social media.

• Strong experience of content marketing and associated technologies (e.g. CMS, analytics, marketing automation).

• Highly analytical and commercial, with demonstrable experience of making data driven decisions and advanced skills in using analytics tools and data packages.

• Experience working with content management systems, ideally Umbraco, and understanding of web UX, tagging and measurement.

• Significant experience collaborating with IT delivery teams and digital/software vendors to implement and optimise digital platforms.

Communication

• Able to communicate complex digital concepts, data and performance insight in a clear, concise way for non technical and senior audiences.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting digital strategies, business cases and performance reports at senior level.

Relationship Building

• Significant experience managing third party suppliers, including digital agencies and software vendors, to drive value and quality.

• Skilled at working collaboratively with IT and cross functional teams to align priorities and deliver joined up digital solutions.

• Able to build credibility and trust with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions on digital investment and strategy.

Taking Initiative

• Proven ability to identify opportunities to improve digital performance and customer experience, and to lead initiatives from concept through to delivery.

• Comfortable making informed, evidence based decisions, prioritising activity and resources in line with strategic goals.

• Proactive in staying abreast of digital trends, tools and best practice and assessing their relevance for the business.

Developing Self and Others

• Skilled and experienced people manager, able to build, lead and retain a high performing team of digital professionals.

• Experience coaching and upskilling colleagues in digital marketing, sharing best practice and fostering a culture of test and learn.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development in digital marketing, technology and leadership.