At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic marketing team to drive passenger growth and revenue.
- Company: Join WM Trains, a leader in the transport industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, a great pension, and discounts at over 800 retailers.
- Other info: Commit to a minimum of 14 months for personal career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-impact leadership role with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior marketing roles and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are looking for an inspiring and commercially driven Senior Marketing Manager to join WM Trains, overseeing activity for both West Midlands Railway (WMR) and London Northwestern Railway (LNR). In this role, you will lead a talented in-house Sales and Marketing team while working closely with external agency partners. You will shape and deliver innovative, insight-led strategies that drive passenger growth, increase revenue, and deliver strong return on investment (ROI) across both brands. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will influence strategic direction, champion best practices, and foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement. You will help ensure our services remain relevant, accessible and appealing to a wide and diverse customer base.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide inclusive leadership, coaching and mentoring to the Sales & Marketing team, creating a high-performing and commercially focused environment.
- Develop and deliver data-driven sales and marketing strategies to achieve agreed revenue targets and ROI benchmarks.
- Lead initiatives to grow passenger revenue across key segments, including business, leisure, commuter and student markets.
- Collaborate with the Brand & Design Manager and Digital Marketing Manager to deliver integrated campaigns aligned with the annual business plan.
- Work closely with the Head of Sales & Marketing and Head of Revenue to shape competitive pricing strategies and grow market share.
- Identify, develop and manage strategic partnerships (e.g. tourism and commercial partners such as Visit Liverpool) to drive additional revenue.
- Project manage campaigns and initiatives, ensuring delivery against agreed KPIs, timelines and budgets.
- Analyse market trends, sales performance and customer data to identify growth opportunities and inform decision-making.
- Represent WMR/LNR at internal forums, external meetings and industry events, building strong and inclusive relationships.
- Adapt marketing approaches to reflect evolving customer needs and wider market conditions.
- Evaluate campaign performance and share insights with internal teams and agency partners to drive continuous improvement.
- Oversee reporting cycles, providing clear, data-led updates on campaign effectiveness, budget utilisation and commercial impact.
- Produce high-quality case studies showcasing campaign success, innovation and learnings.
- Deputise for the Head of Sales & Marketing when required.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Degree-level education or equivalent industry experience; a professional marketing qualification (e.g. CIM) is desirable but not essential.
- Proven experience in a senior marketing or commercial role, ideally within transport, travel, retail, or another fast-paced, target-driven environment.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to translate insight into revenue-generating strategies.
- Experience leading, developing and empowering diverse teams, with an inclusive leadership approach.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Strong analytical capability, including experience in reporting, budgeting and performance optimisation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and with external partners.
- Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to deliver under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- A collaborative and supportive approach, with the ability to inspire confidence in others.
To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.
Benefits
- A defined benefit pension from day 1 - one of the best in the UK.
- Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
- A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
- Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing.
- Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
- A retail discount portal - offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.
Senior Marketing Manager in Birmingham employer: WM Trains Limited
WM Trains is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Birmingham where creativity and collaboration thrive. As a Senior Marketing Manager, you will benefit from a comprehensive benefits package, including free travel for you and your family, a robust pension scheme, and access to a 24/7 Virtual GP service. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the transport sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Marketing Manager in Birmingham
✨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 WM Trains Limited 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 WM Trains Limited 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 WM Trains Limited 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 WM Trains Limited. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Marketing Manager in Birmingham
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 WM Trains Limited. 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 WM Trains Limited:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about WM Trains Limited’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 WM Trains Limited
✨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 WM Trains Limited 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 WM Trains Limited, 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.