Director for Scotland (The Marketing Society Scotland) in Edinburgh

The Marketing Society has built something special in Scotland - a senior network that brings together ambitious marketers, business leaders and brands in a way very few organisations can. As Director for Scotland, you'll play a leading role in shaping what comes next. You'll have the freedom to grow the community, build partnerships, create meaningful conversations and make sure the Society continues to be somewhere people want to be part of. It's a role with real visibility and influence, but equally one that's built on relationships, ideas and bringing good people together. You'll become the face of the Society in Scotland, working closely with senior marketers, partners, sponsors and the wider global team to keep building on the momentum already in place.

What the role will involve

• No two weeks will look the same, but you'll spend your time across a mix of community building, commercial leadership, partnerships and events.
• You'll help grow and strengthen the membership community, making sure existing members feel connected while also bringing new senior leaders into the network.
• A big part of the role is about creating an environment where people genuinely want to engage, contribute and build relationships.
• You'll also take ownership of the commercial side of the Scotland operation, developing partnerships and sponsorships, managing budgets and helping shape the longer-term direction of the business.
• The events programme is a huge part of the Society's identity, so you'll work closely with partners and stakeholders to deliver a calendar of conversations, round-tables and experiences that people look forward to attending.
• You'll also lead the Scotland Star Awards programme, which continues to hold real significance across the industry.
• Alongside this, you'll work with the Scotland Advisory Board and the wider global leadership team to help shape strategy, identify opportunities for growth and ensure Scotland continues to have a strong voice within the wider organisation.

What we're looking for

• This role could suit someone coming from a senior marketing, commercial, membership, partnerships or community-led background.
• More than anything, we're looking for someone who is naturally relationship-driven, commercially aware and comfortable operating with senior stakeholders.
• Someone who enjoys connecting people, spotting opportunities and making things happen.
• You'll probably already have a strong network across Scotland's marketing and business community, although we're equally open to speaking with people who can bring fresh ideas, energy and perspective from elsewhere.
• You should feel comfortable balancing strategy with delivery.
• This is a visible leadership role, but it's also important that the successful person enjoys being hands-on when needed and thrives in an environment where collaboration and initiative matter.

What's in it for you

• Salary available on discussion with Denholm Associates
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, alongside an additional week off over Christmas
• An annual "energiser day" to take however suits you best
• Pension and life insurance
• Hybrid working with flexibility around how you manage your week
• Access to an outstanding global network of senior marketers, brands and business leaders

A bit more about The Marketing Society: The Marketing Society exists to bring together marketers and business leaders who want to drive growth, share ideas and make a positive impact through marketing. Its values 'care, share and dare' genuinely shape the way the community operates. From the Scotland events programme to the Star Awards and Advisory Board, the Society has created a community that people actively want to be part of, not simply another networking organisation. For the right person, this is an opportunity to build relationships, influence conversations across the industry and help shape the future of one of Scotland's most respected marketing communities.

Denholm's take: This is a genuinely unique role in the market right now. Denholm Associates have been long-term partners, sponsors and supporters of The Marketing Society in Scotland, helping to shape a number of the awards, initiatives and events that have become such an important part of the community. Much of that success reflects the legacy that Graeme Atha leaves behind after nearly 20 years leading the organisation in Scotland. The Marketing Society has built a reputation and profile that most organisations spend decades trying to create. This Director role offers genuine autonomy to shape what that community becomes next commercially, strategically, and in terms of the people and ideas it brings together. The right person may already be well known within Scotland's senior marketing community, with a strong understanding of what makes a network like this thrive. Equally, it could suit someone bringing a fresh perspective from elsewhere, alongside the commercial instinct and leadership to help the community continue to grow and evolve. If that sounds like you, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.