At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in digital marketing, driving performance across multiple channels.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, a dynamic team connecting communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel perks, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital marketing while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in digital marketing with expertise in paid media.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
We have been busy building a best-in-class mar-tech engine, and we're now ready to use it. This is an opportunity to experiment, lead and shape our digital marketing future. You will drive digital performance marketing spearheading how we activate known and unknown 1PD across channels, and join us on the journey towards multi-channel message orchestration. Working in partnership with our media agency and the Senior Digital Marketing Manager you will also lead on our test & learn agenda across performance media channels pulling through successful activities into BAU. Experimentation is top of the agenda as we seek to better understand attribution and how and where digital marketing influences consumer travel and ticket purchase.
Functioning as part of a broader marketing team you will gain exposure to all our marketing initiatives, visibility on our integrated media plan and full creative review and input; offering you a comprehensive perspective on how digital marketing fuels business growth and personal growth and development opportunities.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Manage our performance activities across search engines (organic & paid), and performance social and display, & expansion into new channels as required.
- Partner with the Senior Digital Manager and the media agency to ideate and execute our test and learn plan for digital media, assessing impact, reporting back results, utilising insights and managing the forward plan.
- Lead & continuously seek to improve performance creative ensuring that the message is right for the media strategy, consumer and KPI goal.
- Become the expert across paid media on what audiences are used, where and any audience opportunities, ensuring effective mapping and governance.
- Own our feed management process into media for pricing and our rewards proposition, leading on deployment and activation into paid media channels.
- Partner with the website team and the Rewards Manager to ensure quality data, highlighting opportunities to improve and working collectively to resolve.
- Be responsible for understanding, and reporting back on total digital sales across web and app, understanding volume, revenues and ticket mix into the Marketing team.
- Ensure that our website and content is optimised from a GEO perspective for AI & search engines, partnering with the content lead to ensure that a data-led approach to content creation is employed and that content delivers on GEO requirements.
A bit about you:
- Be a hands‑on expert in the management of paid search & paid social channels, understanding industry‑level trends and developments with a minimum of 3-5 years experience.
- Solid digital marketing experience (either in‑house or agency) managing annual budgets of above £1m in an e‑commerce environment.
- Be proficient in managing and optimising campaigns towards direct performance metrics such as cost per acquisition (CPA), return on ad spend (ROAS), return on investment (ROI).
- Be target‑driven and passionate about digital marketing. You should always be looking to go further, learn more, and outperform yourself.
- Have a highly investigative mindset and always be looking to turn insight into action.
- Strong reporting & data skills (advanced Excel) and a high level of attention to detail.
- A willingness to be versatile and eager to learn new skills and lean into new trends.
- Strong communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders and the ability to communicate complex information in a digestible manner.
About the location: South Western Railways HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well‑known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport.
Working pattern: Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days. Core hours of Monday – Friday 9-5.
The Reward: In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:
- Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees.
- Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent).
- 75% discount on many other train operating companies.
- Full training and support with development.
Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight. Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.
We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
Digital Marketing Manager employer: South Western Railway
South Western Railway is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where skilled technicians can thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have opportunities for on-the-job training and career progression while contributing to the safety and reliability of our rail services. Our supportive culture and commitment to teamwork ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital Marketing Manager
✨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 South Western Railway 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 South Western Railway 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 South Western Railway 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 South Western Railway. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Digital Marketing Manager
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 South Western Railway. 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 South Western Railway:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about South Western Railway’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 South Western Railway
✨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 South Western Railway 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 South Western Railway, 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.
