At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advocacy strategy and build brand influence across Western Europe.
- Company: Join Brown-Forman, a premium spirits company with a focus on growth and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, premium benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel and engage with industry leaders across Western Europe.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the spirits industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in advocacy and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is nothing better in the market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.
The Head of Advocacy, Western Europe defines and leads the advocacy strategy across the Brown-Forman portfolio, building brand equity, industry influence and commercial impact throughout the region. This role will be a key member of both the Western Europe Marketing Leadership Team, as well as the EAA Advocacy Leadership Team. Working closely with the EAA Advocacy Director and Western Europe Marketing Director, you will lead the region’s Advocacy team and partner with regional marketing, commercial and distributor teams. This role ensures that global advocacy programmes are executed with excellence - impacting at the right touch points. We have the best global programming in the industry and delivering those programmes, building capability across markets and strengthening relationships internally with Marketing and Commercial, and externally with key trade, media and industry stakeholders including On Trade IKA stakeholders. The role serves as the regional centre of excellence for advocacy, ensuring best practice, consistency and innovation across Western Europe.
What You Can Expect
- Advocacy Strategy & Regional Leadership
- Develop and lead the Western Europe advocacy strategy, aligned to brand and commercial priorities.
- Execute with excellence existing platforms and programmes including BAR FABRIC, WR GBE, Old Fashioned Month, Jack Creators, Jack Hours.
- Identify emerging trends, opportunities and partnerships that enhance brand influence and relevance.
- Align with EAA Advocacy M&E, ensuring consistency, market relevance and return of objectives.
- Be an active member of the Divisional Advocacy team, bringing a strong voice to the needs of the region and the overall Divisional advocacy needs.
- Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, coach and develop the Western Europe Advocacy team, providing direct leadership to the UK and France teams with matrix leadership across Italy and Iberia, empowering local teams while driving alignment on regional strategy, standards and priorities.
- Build advocacy capability across Western Europe through training, mentoring and sharing of best practices.
- Foster strong collaboration between advocacy, marketing, commercial and distributor teams.
- Brand Advocacy & Industry Engagement
- Oversee flagship advocacy programmes, events and educational initiatives across priority brands.
- Build and maintain relationships with influential on‑trade customers, bartenders, media, creators and industry leaders.
- Act as a senior brand representative at key industry events and forums.
- Partner with PR and communications teams to amplify brand visibility and reputation.
- Performance & Resource Management
- Manage advocacy budgets and resources effectively across the region.
- Evaluate programme performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Ensure initiatives are adaptable, scalable and deliver measurable business impact.
What You Bring to the Table
- Extensive experience in advocacy, brand education, premium spirits or luxury brands.
- Deep knowledge of the spirits industry, hospitality sector and cocktail culture.
- Proven experience developing and executing successful advocacy strategies.
- Strong leadership experience with a proven track record of coaching and developing high‑performing teams.
- Exceptional relationship‑building, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong communication, presentation and storytelling abilities.
- Commercially minded, with the ability to connect advocacy activity to business outcomes.
- Experience working across multiple markets or regions.
- Experience working with distributor networks.
- Established network within the drinks and hospitality industry.
- Language other than English preferably French/Spanish/Italian.
- Willingness to travel across Western Europe and attend evening and weekend events when required.
What We Offer
Total Rewards at Brown‑Forman is designed to engage our people to ensure sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay structures for individual and company performance alongside a premium employee experience. We offer a range of premium benefits that reflect our company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Brown‑Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown‑Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.
Head of Advocacy - Western Europe in London employer: BROWN-FORMAN
Brown-Forman is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values creativity and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development while promoting a healthy work-life balance through its hybrid working model. Located in the vibrant UK market, employees enjoy the unique advantage of contributing to a globally recognised brand like Jack Daniel's, making their work both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advocacy - Western Europe in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for BROWN-FORMAN and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like BROWN-FORMAN are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with BROWN-FORMAN on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at BROWN-FORMAN. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Advocacy - Western Europe in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit BROWN-FORMAN. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of BROWN-FORMAN:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about BROWN-FORMAN’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BROWN-FORMAN
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at BROWN-FORMAN will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At BROWN-FORMAN, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
