At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse market trends and competitor strategies to guide our teams.
- Company: Join one of the UK's largest software companies, trusted by over 100,000 businesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, remote work options, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work model with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a global impact while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in competitive intelligence or related fields with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About IRIS
IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms. We're a Great Place to Work certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.
Purpose
We're looking for someone who can read competitor moves, market signal and AI search behaviour, and turn them into guidance our Sales, Product and leadership teams can act on. You'll own the single source of truth for competitive intelligence across our Accountancy and HCM portfolios, and you'll own how IRIS shows up when buyers research us through AI answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity and AI Overviews. Part detective, part translator: you'll spot what's happening in the market before anyone else does, and make sure the right people know what to do about it.
Key responsibilities
- Monitor the competitive landscape across Accountancy and HCM in the UK and US, competitor launches, pricing changes, campaigns, positioning shifts and financial performance (keeping our competitive knowledge base accurate and current).
- Track and interpret our AI answer engine visibility and citation share by product and competitor, flagging where we're gaining or losing ground and why.
- Test whether positioning and messaging changes are actually moving the needle on visibility and engagement, and turn digital/AI-search signal into clear commercial recommendations.
- Run win/loss analysis and contribute to capture deal feedback, and find the patterns behind why we win and lose by competitor.
- Own competitive pricing and packaging analysis, translating competitor moves into practical guidance for live deals.
- Build and maintain battlecards, comparison matrices and competitor profiles that give Sales deal-ready guidance, and run regular competitive training for customer-facing teams.
- Support live deals with fast, specific input when it matters most.
- Present insight and recommendations across Product Marketing, Sales, Product, Customer Success and senior leadership, including input to board-level reporting on our AI visibility trajectory.
About you
You're naturally curious and can't help digging past the obvious. You're as comfortable pulling a clear commercial story out of a spreadsheet as you are presenting it to a room of senior leaders. You know the difference between what you know, what you're inferring, and what you're guessing, and you're upfront about which is which. You build trust across teams without needing formal authority to get things done, and you can run several priorities at once without dropping any of them.
Essential criteria
- 5+ years' experience in competitive intelligence, product marketing, market research, digital or insight analytics, or a related B2B SaaS role.
- Strong analytical skills — able to turn large volumes of information into clear, actionable insight.
- Strong quantitative and data-visualisation skills, confident in Excel and BI dashboards, with the ability to tailor reporting to different audiences.
- Confident reading digital and search signal (e.g. GA4, Search Console) and translating it into a commercial point and a recommendation.
- Strong written and verbal communication — able to pitch insight to technical and non-technical audiences alike.
- Comfortable working across GTM, Sales, Product and leadership.
- Sound judgement on source credibility and the ethics of intelligence gathering.
- Highly organised, with the project-management discipline to run multiple priorities to deadline.
Desirable
- Experience in accountancy, HCM, B2B software, or a comparable regulated/professional software market.
- Hands-on experience with AI answer engine tools (e.g. Profound), competitive benchmarking tools (e.g. SEMrush), or market-sizing sources (e.g. IBISWorld).
- GA4 and BI tools such as Power BI or Looker Studio, and SQL for competitive and visibility analysis.
- Comfortable using AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT to speed up research, synthesis and content.
- Experience managing knowledge and content in SharePoint or an equivalent system.
- Working knowledge of Salesforce and how competitive/visibility insight connects to pipeline and attribution.
- A degree in business, marketing, economics or a related field.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.
- Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
- Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.
Ready to Apply?
Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.
What to expect from our hiring process
Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:
- Application review — we assess your experience and potential
- Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role
- Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review
- Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS
We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.
Location
IRIS Remote, UK; Heathrow Approach (HA); IRIS Software Group, Manchester
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
Hybrid
Department
IRIS IRIS Marketing
IRIS Product Marketing
Market Insights and AEO Analyst in Manchester employer: Iris Software
At IRIS Software Group, we pride ourselves on being a Great Place to Work certified employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. As a Marketing Events Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to influence millions globally while enjoying continuous learning and career growth in a dynamic remote environment. Join us and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Market Insights and AEO Analyst in Manchester
✨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 Iris Software 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 Iris Software 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 Iris Software 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 Iris Software. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Market Insights and AEO Analyst in Manchester
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 Iris Software. 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 Iris Software:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Iris Software’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 Iris Software
✨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 Iris Software 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 Iris Software, 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.
