Managing Director

Location: Twickenham

Hybrid Working: 3 Days in the Office

Wonderly is an award-winning progressive content marketing agency and part of the Haymarket Media Group. We work with ambitious brands to deliver campaigns and communications across print, digital and live events. Our clients include Volkswagen Group UK, Kew Gardens, The FA, The Society of Radiographers and the CIPD.

The Managing Director of Wonderly is tasked with developing and refining the growth strategy for the agency. Underpinning the commercially-focused strategy, the MD will ensure we have the right operating model and structure in place, working closely with the central teams as we focus on being the leading content marketing agency of choice.

The agency’s culture is aligned with Haymarket’s core values and operating framework while maintaining Wonderly’s own identity, driving a high-performance, client-facing, commercially-oriented business focused on fewer, bigger, smarter bets and how that translates into Wonderly’s service offering, sectors, and financial profile.

Delivery Priorities:

• Review the strategy and positioning, and make recommendations as appropriate for the business value proposition, go-to-market positioning, cost base, services, and new business.
• Devise an optimal operating structure to support the business goals and objectives.
• Build a new-business focused culture and strategy for growth.
• Improve the profit profile of the group, including enhanced margin delivery to ensure sustainable income over the client lifecycle.
• Build internal relationships and foster collaboration to raise Wonderly’s profile within the Haymarket brand.
• Develop a deep vertical understanding of core sectors and competitive activity, and articulate Wonderly’s point of difference.
• Manage all parts of the business with cost control and revenue maximisation.
• Set clear targets and KPIs, and hold senior reports accountable for performance.
• Lead a minimum bi-annual Board meetings and produce detailed board reports.
• Own the new business process, pipeline and reporting.
• Build strong, advisory relationships with senior-level clients.
• Take the lead in pitches for new business.
• Ensure the Wonderly leadership team is laser focused on key markets and target clients.

Skills / Experience / Knowledge / Minimum Criteria:

• Proven leadership track record with ability to deliver results.
• Building and nurturing an inclusive, motivated high-performance culture.
• Devising and implementing a clear strategic vision with objectives and KPIs.
• Leading an innovative and sustainable business.
• Embedding client service excellence throughout the agency.
• Building and leveraging trusted commercial relationships and partnerships.
• Building effective industry networks and senior connections with clients and leaders.
• Long-term leadership through change with milestones to measure progress.
• Developing and empowering collaborative, high-performance teams.
• Exceptional communication skills – verbal, written, and listening – internally and externally.
• Emotional intelligence and strong decision-making accountability.
• Effective management and delegation; integrity and consideration for the company, its people, communities and the planet.
• Strong financial acumen; planning and forecasting; ability to develop new financial models.
• Knowledge of diverse markets and changing environments and their impact on client needs.
• Influencing and persuasive skills.

We are a Disability Confident employer and offer guaranteed interviews to all disabled applicants who meet the above minimum criteria. To participate in this initiative, please indicate if you have a disability when applying. If you need reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate in the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@haymarket.com.

Why work with us?

• 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays, increasing with service).
• Work from anywhere in the world for up to 3 weeks per year through our Work from Anywhere program.
• Flexible working hours (core hours 10:00–15:00).
• Generous contributory pension scheme.
• Health cash plans covering medical expenses, dental, optical, and more.

More about working for Haymarket:

We are a certified B Corp and part of a global movement focused on sustainable, responsible business. We invest in our people through development, training, mentorship, and coaching, and support volunteering and community involvement. We promote a healthy work-life balance and collaborative in-person and remote work arrangements. We are an equal opportunities employer and proud to show salary information on job adverts.