At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative marketing campaigns and connect brand storytelling across multiple channels.
- Company: Join Christopher Ward, the UK's largest online luxury watch brand.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free parking, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a modern luxury brand that challenges industry norms and drives creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced retail, strong creative sensibility, and strategic thinking.
The predicted salary is between 54450 - 66550 £ per year.
Christopher Ward is an English-Swiss watch company and the UK’s largest watch brand. Since its inception in 2004, Christopher Ward has defied industry norms, becoming the first premium watch brand to operate exclusively online, offering exquisitely hand-crafted, Swiss-made mechanical watches at previously unheard-of prices.
In its 22nd year, Christopher Ward boasts a global customer base spanning over 100 countries. Known for its trailblazing style of watchmaking, the brand created the first commercially viable mechanical watch movement by a British brand in over five decades, the renowned Calibre CW-001 (previously SH21). In 2023, Christopher Ward’s innovative approach was honoured with the Petite Aiguille Award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) for its chiming watch, the Bel Canto. The success continued with lifestyle outlet T3 naming it Brand of the Year in 2024, before being crowned British Watch Brand of the Year for a third consecutive time at the 2025 WatchPro Awards.
The role
Christopher Ward is growing fast and needs a new addition to their marketing team to be a central and driving force. This is a role for someone who loves getting stuck in; hands-on, brain-on and confident executing and managing the in-house team and external partners.
The brand launches four or five new watches a quarter. You'll need to manage short-term opportunities as they come up while still building for the longer term and raising the ambition of the marketing over time.
This is a dream role for a well-rounded marketer who wants headroom and who is full of energy and ideas - and likes making things happen. If you get the brand and the business, you'll have plenty of both.
Christopher Ward is luxury, but not traditional luxury. It is a modern luxury brand; a challenger in the ultra-traditional watch category. It was the first global online watch brand when it launched in 2004 and continues to innovate and challenge. Chritopher Ward has been built by its community and the power of earned and organic media. Events play a huge role and the business believes in the power of brand storytelling. You'll need genuine creative sensibility to get that nuance right.
What you'll be doing
- Act as the connector across brand, social, CRM, PR and events, ensuring campaigns are integrated and customer-first rather than channel-first
- Identify opportunities to build cultural relevance, community engagement and earned attention that strengthen the brand beyond paid and owned channels.
- Write the briefs for launch and BAU campaigns, and manage product photography and video from concept through to execution
- Own campaign ideation, execution and measurement
- Build understanding of the audience, working closely with digital colleagues on segmentation strategy as well as the community dynamics of the sector
- Manage the agency and in-house teams delivering content, including for teams outside marketing
- Manage paid media strategy and budgets, as one part of a broader channel mix rather than the main driver of growth
- Use data to spot and act on new commercial opportunities, driving growth as well as brand
- Manage the relationship with the agency partner's creative director, and work closely day to day with the in-house copywriter and two designers
- Lean on the marketing assistant based in Switzerland, who holds a lot of institutional knowledge on photography and marketing ops.
- Present with confidence. You'll need to sell ideas internally, not just produce them
What we're looking for
- Experience in a fast-moving retail or DTC business. Comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where priorities evolve and not everything is fully defined.
- Global experience is useful, particularly given the US is the key growth market
- Strong creative sensibility, and comfort with a brand that isn't easy to read: modern luxury rather than traditional
- Strategic and commercial thinking
- A collaborative, positive, personable style. This person manages in-house and agency creative teams and needs to join up digital with PR, events and organic social, raising the ambition and output of the wider team.
- Genuine enjoyment of working with stakeholders across departments, disciplines and time zones, including showrooms, product, merchandising and customer care
- Natural leadership. Someone who can influence and rally people, not just direct them
- Physical retail or showroom experience is a bonus, not a requirement
- Ambition. This person should be aiming at head of brand level next.
- Based in Maidenhead. Free parking on site, and reachable via the Elizabeth line if you're commuting from London
Senior Brand Manager in Maidenhead employer: Christopher Ward
At Christopher Ward, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture. As the Head of Communications, you will lead a talented team in a vibrant office environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development while working on high-profile partnerships that amplify our brand globally. Our commitment to flexibility and community engagement, including our 2% for GOOD programme, ensures that you can make a meaningful impact both within the company and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Brand Manager in Maidenhead
✨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 Christopher Ward 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 Christopher Ward 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 Christopher Ward 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 Christopher Ward. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Brand Manager in Maidenhead
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 Christopher Ward. 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 Christopher Ward:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Christopher Ward’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 Christopher Ward
✨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 Christopher Ward 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 Christopher Ward, 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.
