At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate marketing team and deliver inspiring campaigns for a beloved garden centre.
- Company: Join a family-run independent garden centre group in the South West.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, a pension scheme, and a creative work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to grow and contribute across various projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive team while inspiring communities through gardening.
- Qualifications: Experience in marketing management, excellent communication, and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location
Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1LZ
Lead the marketing behind one of the South West’s best-loved independent garden centre groups.
At Otter Garden Centres, we’ve been inspiring gardeners, families and communities for generations.
With eight garden centres across the South West, we’re proud to remain an independent, family-run business where people genuinely matter.
We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Marketing Manager to join our team on a fixed-term maternity cover contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a talented marketing team, delivering campaigns that inspire customers and drive commercial success across everything from plants and seasonal events to restaurants, gifts, Christmas and outdoor living.
- What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading and motivating the marketing team.
- Planning and delivering integrated marketing campaigns.
- Managing marketing schedules.
- Supporting the Creative Director.
- Managing marketing budgets and monitoring ROI.
- Overseeing website content, email marketing and social media.
- Briefing and managing designers, printers and external suppliers.
- Working closely with branch retail teams and buyers.
- Maintaining the Otter brand across every customer touchpoint.
- What We’re Looking For
- Previous Marketing Manager or Senior Marketing Executive experience.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Outstanding written communication.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience managing multiple campaigns simultaneously.
- Photoshop knowledge.
- Word Press or CMS experience.
- Knowledge of digital marketing, email marketing and social media.
- A collaborative leadership style.
- Our Team
Whilst everyone has their own responsibilities, we believe in working as one team.
Whether that’s helping with point of sale, taking photographs, updating the website or supporting a major campaign, everyone pitches in when needed.
We’re looking for someone who enjoys this collaborative approach and is happy to support colleagues across the department and business.
Hours
Hours
Full Time – 39 hours per week
Contract
Fixed-Term Maternity Cover (12 months)
Start Date
21 September 2026
Benefits
- Competitive rates of pay
- Company pension scheme
- Free on-site parking
- A varied and creative role
- Friendly, supportive working environment
- The opportunity to make a real impact within an independent family business
- Apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to Sabine Jary by emailing .
Interviews will take place throughout July and early August 2026.
If you’re looking for an exciting opportunity to lead a creative and busy marketing department, we’d love to hear from you.
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Marketing Manager (Maternity Cover) employer: Otter Garden Centres
At Otter Garden Centres, we pride ourselves on being an independent, family-run business that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Marketing Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a passionate team in a friendly environment, where your contributions can make a significant impact on our community-focused initiatives. With competitive pay, a supportive atmosphere, and the chance to grow within a beloved local institution, this role offers a rewarding experience for those looking to inspire and engage with customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Marketing Manager (Maternity Cover)
✨Dive into Local Events
Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!
✨Utilise Online Job Boards
Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!
✨Tap into Your Uni's Resources
If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing Manager (Maternity Cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!
Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Otter Garden Centres from day one!
Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!
Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Otter Garden Centres specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Otter Garden Centres
✨Showcase Your Creative Portfolio
As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Otter Garden Centres, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.
✨Understand the Latest Trends
We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Otter Garden Centres you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Otter Garden Centres that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ready Your Communication Strategy
Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Otter Garden Centres, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!
