At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead marketing across two zoos, driving visitation and revenue through innovative strategies.
- Company: Join Libéma, a major leisure group with a focus on conservation and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, free zoo entry, staff discounts, and professional training opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with genuine growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in conservation while leading a dynamic marketing team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in marketing within leisure or hospitality, with strong leadership skills.
Salary: £52,221
Benefits: 33 days paid holiday pro-rata including bank holidays, free zoo entry for family and friends, staff discounts on food and retail, free parking, Employee Assistance Programme, and training from first aid to specialist skills.
Hours: 37.5 per week, permanent
Location: On-site, mostly based at Paignton Zoo (Devon) with regular visits to Newquay Zoo (Cornwall)
Reports to: Senior Leadership Team
Line manages: Digital Marketing Officer, Marketing Executive
Why this role
This isn't a single-site marketing role. You're leading across two zoos (Paignton in Devon, Newquay in Cornwall) as part of Libéma, a major Netherlands leisure group. That dual-site complexity comes with access to international best practices, innovation infrastructure, and genuine growth support most UK attractions don't have.
The job is to drive visitation, grow revenue, build brand strength. But both zoos are built on conservation—real education, research, authentic animal welfare. Your marketing has to work commercially and mean something. That's the difference.
You'll lead a small team (Digital Officer, Marketing Executive) and sit at Senior Leadership Team level. Hands-on leadership, not a distant strategic role.
What you'll do
- Develop marketing strategy across both sites that drives ticket sales, memberships, events and secondary spend.
- Manage multi-channel campaigns (digital, print, PR, social, email, outdoor), own the ROI reporting and use data to improve what works.
- Build your marketing team, translate business strategy into clear priorities, and develop capability across digital, campaign management and brand consistency.
- Manage brand positioning and protect visual identity across both sites.
- Listen to visitor feedback and use analytics to drive improvement.
- Represent both zoos at tourism forums (DATA, ERA), build relationships with media and agencies.
- You'll occasionally work weekends and bank holidays as part of the duty management rota.
Who we're looking for
Essential: You've led a marketing function in leisure, hospitality, visitor attractions or retail. You have a track record of strategies that drive revenue and visitation. You've run multi-channel campaigns, managed marketing budgets and used data to make decisions and report results. You know how to build and lead a team, manage brand consistency and represent an organisation externally. You're commercially minded and solutions-focused.
Desirable: Experience across multiple sites, brand repositioning, or working with international leisure groups.
Why these zoos
Both have established visitor bases and real conservation foundations. Libéma owns them seriously—investment in innovation, support from senior leadership & real career development.
We're an equal opportunities employer committed to inclusion and diversity.
Head of Marketing employer: Paignton & Newquay Zoo
As the Head of Marketing at Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo, you will be part of a dynamic team within a leading international leisure group, Libéma. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful marketing strategies that not only enhance visitor engagement but also support vital conservation efforts. With generous benefits including 33 days of paid holiday, free zoo entry for family and friends, and a commitment to employee growth through training, this position is perfect for those seeking a rewarding career in a vibrant and supportive work culture.
Contact Details:
Paignton & Newquay Zoo Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Marketing
✨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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo 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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo 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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo 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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Marketing
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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo. 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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Paignton & Newquay Zoo’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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo
✨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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo 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 Paignton & Newquay Zoo, 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.
