Marketing Manager in Reading

At Guardian, our mission is simple: to ensure every family has protection they truly believe in. We’re challenging the market with a fresh approach and a brand promise —Life. Made Better.

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded Marketing Manager to join a growing yet firmly established financial services business and play a key part in supporting the shaping of its marketing strategy and ensuring the delivery of it.

This is an exciting opportunity for a B2B marketer with a strong understanding of financial services – ideally protection – who can combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. You’ll lead the day‑to‑day marketing activity, manage key stakeholder relationships and deliver campaigns, communications and events that build brand awareness and support sales growth within the Financial Adviser community.

You will work closely with leaders, sales teams, strategic partners and external agencies, while also developing a small marketing team.

What does a Marketing Manager do?

• Help shape and deliver the annual marketing plan, ensuring activity supports wider business objectives and is delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Develop and own marketing plans for strategic partners, identifying opportunities that align with commercial priorities.
• Lead new partner marketing opportunities, including developing high-quality tender responses and supporting new business initiatives.
• Own the social media plan, creating engaging and varied content that increases reach, awareness and engagement.
• Work closely with senior sales colleagues to develop marketing initiatives that support adviser engagement and business growth.
• Manage internal and external communications for key business projects and change initiatives.
• Lead the annual events programme, covering industry events, strategic partner activity and regional sales events, including content, logistics and budgets.
• Create engaging internal communications and events that keep colleagues informed and connected.
• Oversee the development and updating of marketing collateral for advisers, strategic partners and sales teams.
• Ensure all communications are consistent with brand, language and regulatory requirements.
• Produce marketing MI and use insights to understand performance, identify learnings and improve future activity.
• Work with external marketing agencies to deliver high-quality content and campaigns.
• Keep up to date with the protection market, competitor activity and emerging marketing opportunities.
• Manage and support two marketing team members, providing direction, coaching and leadership.

Who are we looking for?

You’ll be an experienced marketer who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, regulated environment and can move confidently between strategic planning and hands‑on execution.

• 5+ years’ marketing experience within financial services, ideally with experience in protection.
• Strong B2B marketing experience, preferably working with intermediaries, advisers or strategic partners.
• Excellent campaign planning and execution skills.
• A strong understanding of the financial services market and the requirements of working within a regulated environment.
• Proven experience managing budgets, projects, events and external agencies.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• A creative, dynamic and commercially focused approach.
• The confidence to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across the business.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• A proactive mindset, with the tenacity to identify opportunities and turn ideas into effective marketing activity.
• A CII R01 (Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics) and/or R05 (Financial Protection) qualification would be advantageous, or you’ll be keen to work towards these.

What’s in it for you?

• Private Medical Insurance with rewards for yourself with discounted rates for your family members
• Competitive Company Pension Scheme
• Access to several employee discounted schemes to suit your lifestyleincluding but not limited to:
  • Private dental insurance
  • Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Comprehensive Europe and Worldwide Travel Insurance
  • Medical Cash Plan
  • Gym memberships
  • Access to 24/7 GP service for you and your family
  • 25 days holiday with the option to purchase more

This is an exciting time to be joining us with plenty of opportunity for professional growthwe invite you to apply to become part of our award-winning team.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds, identities and experiences and we actively promote equal opportunities in our recruitment process.

Most of our vacancies can be offered on a hybrid basis, working 50% of your working time per month from the office. We can also consider flexible working. Should you wish to learn more about the role, orhave any questions, please contact our HR Team via hrservicedesk@puntersouthallgroup.com.