At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marketing initiatives, manage campaigns, and build relationships with students and partners.
- Company: Join KILROY, a vibrant travel brand focused on youth experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy travel perks, a friendly environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be the face of KILROY, making a real impact in the travel industry.
- Qualifications: 4-6 years of marketing experience and strong people skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative, fast-paced office in Bristol with room for creativity.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 ÂŁ per year.
The role: We’re looking for a Marketing Manager who combines strong people skills with solid commercial acumen. Someone who brings energy into the room, builds relationships naturally, and also understands how to run the marketing function as a business. This is not a pure digital role. It is a people-powered, presence-driven role where you will spend time with colleagues, students, parents, suppliers and creators, alongside managing campaigns and performance. You will work very closely with the Head of Commercial for the UK on priorities, performance and direction. You will also manage and develop a small team. The environment is collaborative, hands-on and fast-moving — and the work is best done together, which is why the role is full-time, in-office in Bristol.
What you’ll do:
- Be a visible, active presence in the Bristol hub
- Work closely with the sales team to understand customer needs and motivations
- Capture content and ideas in person
- Bring collaboration, energy and momentum into the office
- Lead events, outreach and relationship-based marketing together with your team
- Represent KILROY at student fairs, schools, colleges and universities
- Confidently present to groups, run sessions and engage parents and students
- Support influencer trips, local partnerships and campus activities
- Guide our storytelling and content
- Set clear direction and priorities for how KILROY UK shows up across all channels
- Ensure storytelling is human, relevant and aligned with commercial goals and brand positioning
- Work through the Social Media & Events Coordinator and in collaboration with central marketing teams to brief, guide and quality-check content and campaigns
- Contribute ideas and feedback on short-form video and in-office content, without being the primary day-to-day producer
- Partner with central teams to improve website clarity, messaging and overall customer experience
- Run the marketing function with a strong commercial mindset
- Monitor enquiry performance and customer behavior
- Adjust activity based on what drives results, not just impressions
- Own and track budgets; make decisions based on ROI and value
- Report clearly on performance, priorities and opportunities
- Lead and support your team
- Manage, support and mentor direct reports
- Provide structure, clear priorities and regular feedback
- Foster a positive, supportive working environment
- Collaborate and influence
- Work closely with the Head of Commercial on direction and planning
- Drive follow-through and accountability across all marketing activity
- Help shape how KILROY shows up across the UK
What the role involves, day to day: Working closely with the Head of Commercial, you will help manage the UK marketing budget and ensure resources are used effectively across campaigns, channels and content. You’ll have a solid understanding of paid marketing across platforms such as Meta, YouTube and TikTok, and of paid search on Google, working alongside colleagues and external partners to manage these. The ability to be hands-on when needed is important, but please note that this is not a digital marketing specialist role. You are someone who can prioritise as needed, challenge results and make commercially sound decisions. You will regularly review campaign performance, adjust tactics based on results, and balance short-term impact with longer-term brand building. The role also involves keeping an eye on market trends, competitor activity and customer behavior in the youth and travel space; ensuring consistent brand messaging across all UK marketing activity; collaborating with both local and central teams on promotions, events and content (including blogs, video and organic social); building and nurturing partnerships with businesses and influencers; and acting as an active member of the local leadership team, contributing to wider business initiatives beyond marketing alone. Planning, running and attending events across the UK is a key part of this role. As a result, applicants should hold a valid driving license to enable flexible travel when needed.
Who we’re looking for:
- A people-first marketer
- You get energy from being around people
- You enjoy being in front of groups, presenting and representing a brand
- You thrive in a lively, social office environment
- You want to be a visible ambassador for KILROY in the UK.
- Commercially minded
- You understand marketing as a driver of enquiries and revenue
- You’re comfortable thinking in terms of value, efficiency and impact
- You enjoy analysing what converts — and why
- You move quickly, follow up and make things happen
- You’re comfortable in a practical, entrepreneurial environment.
- A balanced generalist
- Experience working across multiple areas of marketing such as events, content, social, partnerships and digital — with a strong understanding of how they work together.
- Strong communicator and confident presenter, comfortable representing the brand and leading conversations.
- Previous experience managing or mentoring others is required.
- You enjoy coaching, guiding and helping people grow.
- You’re comfortable setting expectations and providing structure.
- Relevant professional background
- 4–6+ years of marketing experience in a commercial environment (consumer, youth-focused brands, travel, lifestyle, education services, hospitality, etc.)
- Experience engaging with students or young adults is advantageous — especially in a B2C commercial context.
What we offer:
- A role where your personality, leadership and commercial thinking all matter
- Full ownership of the UK marketing function
- Travel perks and opportunities to experience life-changing trips
- A friendly, international and social environment
- Room to grow, develop and shape KILROY’s UK future
- A meaningful job where the “Power of Travel” is key.
About recruitment and onboarding: If you see yourself in this role, please complete the application form and upload your CV. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We value mindset and attitude above all. If you would like to discuss the role or the recruitment process or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Niclas Lundquist via nilu@kilroy.co.uk. The start date is as soon as possible and please indicate in your application when you would be able to start.
About us: We help break down borders, shift perspectives, and open minds. Whether it’s through shared adventures, meaningful cultural experiences, or stepping out of your comfort zone, a journey with KILROY is a step toward a more connected, curious, and open-minded world. Our story started back in 1946, when in post-war Scandinavia, student travel organisations laid the foundation for what would later become KILROY. Today, we’re market leaders in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK. KILROY is part of the Kilroy Group, which includes 7 brands (BENNS, Education Abroad, ISIC, Jysk Rejsebureau, KILROY, MyPlanet, and Winberg Travel). Together, we’re more than 400 passionate travel professionals across Europe, generating a total turnover of DKK 1.450 million in 2024.
Marketing Manager employer: KILROY
Contact Detail:
KILROY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Marketing Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend events, fairs, and meet-ups where you can connect with people in the industry. Building relationships is key, so don’t be shy about introducing yourself and sharing your passion for marketing.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your personality! When you’re in interviews or networking situations, let your energy shine through. Remember, they’re looking for someone who can bring that lively presence into the office, so be yourself and engage with others.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to collaborate or contribute, jump on it. Whether it’s suggesting a new idea during a meeting or reaching out to potential partners, taking initiative shows you’re ready to make things happen.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After meeting someone or having an interview, send a quick message to thank them for their time and express your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you top of mind and shows you’re genuinely interested.
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your People Skills: Since this role is all about building relationships, make sure your application highlights your people skills. Share examples of how you've engaged with teams, clients, or customers in the past — we want to see that energy and enthusiasm shine through!
Be Commercially Savvy: We’re looking for someone who understands marketing as a driver of enquiries and revenue. In your application, mention any experience you have with budget management, campaign performance, or analysing results. Show us you can think commercially!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your relevant marketing experience, especially in areas like events, content, and partnerships — we want to see how you fit into our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and we love seeing applications come directly from our site. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining us at KILROY!
How to prepare for a job interview at KILROY
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Marketing Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong people skills. Be ready to share examples of how you've built relationships in previous roles. Think about times when you engaged with diverse groups, like students or parents, and how you made those interactions meaningful.
✨Know Your Numbers
This role requires a solid commercial acumen, so brush up on your marketing metrics. Be prepared to discuss how you've tracked campaign performance and adjusted strategies based on data. Show that you understand ROI and can make decisions that drive results.
✨Bring the Energy
The environment is collaborative and fast-moving, so it's essential to bring energy into the room. Practice your presentation skills and think about how you can engage your audience. Whether it's leading a session or representing KILROY at events, show that you're enthusiastic and ready to inspire others.
✨Be a Balanced Generalist
Highlight your experience across various marketing areas, from events to social media. Prepare to discuss how these elements work together to create a cohesive strategy. This will show that you're not just a specialist but a well-rounded marketer who can adapt to different challenges.