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- Tasks: Plan and deliver exciting brand activations at major events and festivals.
- Company: Join a leading UK drinks business with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and hands-on experience in live settings.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of brand experiences and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in trade or brand activation, strong organisational skills, and a love for travel.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel and exposure to international markets.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Gloucestershire (2-3 days per week on site when not on the road) - this role will require a high level of travel.
Contract: 12-month FTC (maternity cover)
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience)
Love being out in market, bringing brands to life, and seeing your work land in high-energy, real-world environments?
About the Role
We are supporting a market-leading UK drinks business to appoint a Trade Activation Manager on a 12-month fixed term contract. This is a highly visible, activation-led role focused on delivering impactful trade and consumer experiences across high-footfall environments in the UK and selected international locations. It’s ideal for someone who thrives in live settings - festivals, events, on-trade, and experiential activations - and prefers action over desk-based brand planning.
You’ll work closely with commercial, sales, and brand teams to ensure activations are on-brand, commercially effective, and flawlessly executed.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver trade and consumer activation activity across the UK and overseas markets.
- Execute brand presence at major events, festivals, and experiential environments.
- Spend significant time on site at events, partner locations, and activation venues.
- Manage activation agencies, event partners, and suppliers end to end.
- Own activation budgets, timelines, and post-event evaluation and reporting.
- Ensure all activity is delivered safely, compliantly, and in line with brand standards.
- Work collaboratively with internal brand, sales, and commercial teams to align execution with strategy.
The role involves extensive travel, typically including 8-10 weeks per year away from home.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in trade, experiential, or brand activation within FMCG, food, or drink.
- Strong exposure to festivals, events, on-trade, or experiential marketing environments.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Confidence managing agencies and multiple stakeholders.
- Commercial mindset with a practical, hands-on approach.
- Flexibility and enthusiasm for travel and live activation work.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of high-profile activations within a fast-moving, creative, and collaborative business. You’ll gain exposure to major events, international markets, and senior stakeholders - all within a clearly defined 12-month contract.
Interested? If you’re an activation specialist who loves being on the ground, in the action, and delivering standout brand experiences, apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Trade Activation Manager employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trade Activation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, festivals, or any gatherings related to trade activation. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your experience! When you're chatting with potential employers, highlight your hands-on work at events and activations. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to manage agencies and deliver successful campaigns.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to travel! Since this role involves a lot of on-site work, make sure you’re prepared to discuss your flexibility and enthusiasm for being on the road. Employers love candidates who are eager to dive into the action.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to the specific role and showcasing your passion for trade activation.
We think you need these skills to ace Trade Activation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Activation: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for trade activation shine through! Share specific examples of past experiences where you brought brands to life in high-energy environments. We want to see your love for live settings and how you thrive in them.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience in FMCG, events, and brand activations. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for. This will help your application stand out!
Be Clear About Your Travel Flexibility: Since this role involves a lot of travel, be upfront about your availability and willingness to hit the road. Mention any previous experiences that required travel and how you managed it. We appreciate candidates who are ready for adventure!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment
✨Know Your Activations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and successful case studies in trade and experiential marketing. Be ready to discuss specific activations you've worked on, what made them successful, and how they aligned with brand strategies.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your organisational and project management skills. Discuss how you’ve managed budgets, timelines, and multiple stakeholders in past roles, especially in high-pressure environments like festivals or events.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Live Events
Express your enthusiasm for being on the ground at events. Share stories about your experiences in live settings and how you thrive in those environments. This will show your potential employer that you’re not just capable but genuinely excited about the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s upcoming activations, their approach to brand presence at events, and how they measure success. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.
