Commercial Brand Lead

Commercial Brand Lead

Full-Time 56700 - 69300 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Sessions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and grow exciting food brands with a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach.
  • Company: Join the fastest-growing UK tech company revolutionising the restaurant industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, share options, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Join a fun, ambitious team with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Be a brand's mini-CEO and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in brand management and a passion for food are essential.

The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.

HYBRID - London Based (Victoria Station) & Remote 1 or 2 days per week with some travel based duties.

WHO ARE WE?

  • #14 - Fastest Growing UK Tech Company (Sunday Times)
  • #65 - Fastest Growing UK&I Company (Sifted)
  • #77 - Fastest Growing Europe Company (Sifted)

Sessions is building the operating model for the future of restaurants, giving consumers instant access to the brands they love, wherever they live.

The Sessions distribution engine runs through 400+ delivery kitchens and 16 high street restaurants across the UK.

Founded in 2020 and led by ex-Deliveroo MD Dan Warne, Sessions has grown 7x in three years.

Our platform has processed over 5 million orders and reaches 60% of the UK population.

Our team brings experience from Deliveroo, Amazon, Brew Dog, and Gousto.

We scale brands at a pace that redefines what's possible in food.

Examples include Miko's Gyros, which went from launch to 100+ live sites in under two months and So Be Burger, which is live in over 200 delivery locations and has opened 15 physical high street stores.

We are Agile -

Thrive in fast-pace. We sprint, adapt, and learn.

We are Ambitious -

Contribute to something big. Watch your career grow bigger.

We are Fun -

High performance, high fives. Join a team you'll love.

We are Data-Driven -

Turn insights into action. We lead with evidence.

We have Initiative -

Anticipate problems. Drive the solution.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the

General Manager for your assigned Brand(s) , you will operate with a "mini-CEO" mindset, taking full ownership of our high-potential brands like Mikos and Little Bao Boy.

This is an intensely commercial and entrepreneurial role where you define the brand's trajectory and are ultimately accountable for its success within the Sessions ecosystem.

This is a truly cross-functional mission.

You will own everything from high-level marketing strategy and FMCG expansion opportunities to granular decisions on property estate quality and strategic site selection.

While you lead through collaboration - influencing Growth, Ops, and Culinary teams - you carry the ultimate responsibility for the brand's P&L and market position.

You are not just a manager; you are the driving force behind the brand's commercial soul.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Strategic & Operational Brand Ownership
  • You have hands-on accountability for the elements that define and drive brand demand:
  • Positioning & Brand

Equity: Define the target customer, core proposition, price positioning, and "occasion fit." Refine the brand positioning continuously and ensure it is reflected consistently across physical QSR sites, FMCG, and digital channels.

  • Off-Platform
  • Brand

Building: Build awareness and "soul" beyond the delivery apps.

Oversee the brand’s social media presence, maintain a regular cadence of content, and lead local activation campaigns to drive local demand.

  • Brand

Partnerships: Identify, build, and execute high-impact collaborations with influencers, Studio teams, and complementary brands—turning an underutilized area into a major growth driver.

  • Visual Identity & Tone of Voice: Ensure the brand shows up consistently and distinctively across all touchpoints, including physical QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) locations.
  • Demand Generation: Shape major campaigns (e. g., Seasonal Specials, limited-time offers) and lead high-level demand planning in partnership with the Growth team.
  • Commercial & Business Development
  • Obsessive
  • Network

Expansion: Drive expansion by relentlessly pushing the Sales team to sign more sites and the Ops team to add the brand wherever it isn't present.

When needed, pick up the phone yourself to make expansion happen.

  • QSR Model Proof & Rollout: Personally launch the first QSR sites—find franchisees, secure property, and prove the model. Once predictable, hand it over to the QSR team to scale.
  • Founder & Strategic

Relationships: Own the founder relationship and help shape the FMCG strategy so it develops in lockstep with Sessions’ wider approach.

Manage tracking toward call options where applicable.

  • Investments & Long-Term
  • Exit

Strategy: Assess external investment opportunities into the brand and evaluate long-term exit options to allow capital recycling into future brand development.

  • Accountability & Growth
  • Brand P&L Ownership: Take full accountability for driving GMV, Order Volume, Average Order Value (AOV), and Contribution Margin in close coordination with the Operations team.
  • Pricing & Promotions: Work closely with the Growth team to set high-level pricing and promotional strategies that drive volume while protecting long-term brand equity.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence
  • Creative & Merchandising: Partner with Creative/Studio resources to ensure in-app merchandising (imagery, menu layout, copy) reflects brand strategy and maximizes conversion.
  • Sales & Operations

Alignment: Partner with and "apply healthy pressure" to Sales, QSR, and Ops teams to define growth areas, prioritize new site expansion, and enforce consistency via playbooks.

  • Culinary & Supply Chain: Influence menu development and ingredient choices to ensure the product is both "on-brand" and commercially scalable.
  • Desired Skills, Experience & Qualities

We are looking for a commercial heavyweight who possesses a rare blend of creative brand-building and analytical rigour.

  • The "FMCG Playbook": Experience in a sophisticated brand management environment (e. g., FMCG or retail) is highly desirable.
  • Commercial Gravitas: You are comfortable owning a P&L and can speak the language of margins and data just as well as the language of design and "vibe."
  • Master of Influence: You can navigate internal friction and align different departments (who have their own KPIs) toward your brand’s North Star.
  • Entrepreneurial Grit: You are a "founder-minded" leader who can build a brand from the ground up without needing a massive marketing agency at your beck and call.
  • Charismatic and energetic with a passion for food
  • Expert level of English language
  • Right to work in the UK
  • Share Options - Receive an amount of share options for Sessions Market Ltd.
  • Pay day on demand - Access to pay whenever needed
  • Expense card - Company Card
  • Finance Platform - Access to 'Mintago', Financial Wellbeing Platform
  • Hybrid Working - up to 2 days working remotely per week
  • Holidays - 25 days + bank holidays + Birthday Off
  • Employee Assistance Programme - Support for mental health and legal services
  • Socials - Monthly socials
  • Dog Friendly - We love our fluffy pals, they're welcome in the office
  • Wear what you like - No suits and ties please, that's so 18th century....
  • Laptop - Apple Mac
  • Phone - Apple i Phone and company sim provided
  • Progression & Development
  • High Growth Start Up - This is a great chance to be part of a growing company with plenty of progression opportunities, responsibility from day 1
  • Be Inspired - Learn from a team that's scaled some of the UK's biggest consumer companies
  • Membership & Qualifications - Sessions have helped support a number of our employees by providing funds for work-based qualifications and memberships

Sessions are a living wage and equal opportunity employer.

all applicants are reviewed 'anonymously' where only work experience and education will be available for the hiring manager to view - all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, neurodiversity status or disability status.

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Commercial Brand Lead employer: Sessions

Sessions is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and agile work environment that fosters growth and innovation in the fast-paced food tech industry. With a hybrid working model based in London, employees enjoy generous benefits including share options, a healthcare cash plan, and ample opportunities for professional development. Join a vibrant team that values fun, collaboration, and a passion for great food, while contributing to a company recognised as one of the fastest-growing in the UK.

Sessions

Contact Details:

Sessions Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Brand Lead

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 Sessions 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 Sessions 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 Sessions 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 Sessions. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Brand Lead

Brand Management
Commercial Acumen
P&L Ownership
Strategic Planning
Cross-Functional Leadership
Influencer Collaboration
Demand Generation

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 Sessions. 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 Sessions:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Sessions’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 Sessions

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 Sessions 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 Sessions, 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.