Contract - EU Marketing and Communications Section Manager

At Honda we embrace inclusion in our various policies, so whilst our contracts state that the hours are as required to fulfil the role with a minimum of 35 hours per week, we offer flexibility for when you work.  The regular office hours are 08:00 – 16:00 Monday to Thursday with a half hour lunch break & 08:00 – 13:00 on a Friday.  However, we offer flexibility of when you work with our daily flex-time start of between 07:00 and 11:00 providing that there is no business requirement.

Whilst there is no contractual right to work from home, the flexibility we offer is that you can request to work from home 2 days per week, again providing there is no business requirement to attend the office.

This role is offered on 12 month contract.

Role:

The EU Marketing and Communication Section Manager is responsible for executing marketing and communication strategies across the European region to build brand awareness, engage target audiences, and support business growth. This role focuses on developing and implementing marketing campaigns, managing communication channels, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure cohesive and impactful messaging. The role holder works closely with cross-functional teams to adapt regional marketing strategies to the needs of the European market.

This role is ideal for a dynamic and creative professional with a passion for crafting impactful marketing and communication strategies. The EU Marketing and Communication Section Manager plays a key role in driving brand awareness, engaging customers, and supporting business growth across the European region.

Main Responsibilities:

Marketing Strategy Development

• Develop and execute European marketing plans in alignment with the company’s European marketing strategy.
• Identify market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities to tailor marketing initiatives.
• Collaborate with the local marketing teams to adapt campaigns and content for the local market, ensuring cultural relevance and maximum impact.
• Manage the annual marketing budget for the region, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Develop Campaign KPI’s and ensure PDCA follow-up

Content Creation and Management

• Develop and manage marketing content such as brochures, presentations, newsletters, social media posts, and website materials.
• Work with designers, writers, and external agencies to produce high-quality and engaging content from a customer centric approach.
• Ensure consistency in tone, style, and messaging across all communication platforms.

Digital Marketing

• Manage the company's digital presence, including websites, social media accounts, and online advertising.
• Optimize digital campaigns for SEO and monitor performance metrics to improve engagement and conversions.
• Analyse web traffic, social media engagement, and other KPIs to refine digital strategies.

Brand Management

• Ensure all marketing and communication efforts align with the company’s brand identity and messaging.
• Monitor brand perception in the European market and take steps to strengthen the brand’s position.
• Support initiatives to enhance brand awareness through sponsorships, partnerships, and events.

Communication Strategy and Public Relations

• Develop and implement communication strategies to promote the company's products, services, and initiatives.
• Coordinate media inquiries, press releases, and public relations efforts.

Market Research and Insights

• Conduct market research to understand customer preferences, competitor activities, and industry trends.
• Use insights to inform marketing strategies and recommend improvements to campaigns.
• Monitor feedback from branches, dealers, customers, and partners to ensure communication efforts are resonating.

Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams

• Work closely with sales, product management, and dealer development teams to align marketing strategies with business goals.
• Support the branch sales team by providing marketing materials, tools, and insights to enhance customer engagement.
• Partner with regional leadership to ensure alignment with European business priorities.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Track and analyse the performance of marketing campaigns, communication efforts, and events through creation of clear KPI’s and PDCA follow-up
• Prepare reports and presentations for management, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for future improvements.
• Manage marketing budgets and ensure cost-effectiveness in all activities.

Qualifications, skills and experience:
Required

• Marketing Expertise: Knowledge of marketing principles, campaign development, and content creation.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to craft clear and compelling messages.
• Digital Proficiency: Experience with digital marketing tools, SEO, social media platforms, and analytics.
• Creative Thinking: Ability to develop innovative marketing and communication strategies.
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work efficiently under pressure.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analysing data to measure campaign performance and inform future decisions.
• Customer Focus: Understanding of customer behaviour and the ability to tailor messaging to meet their needs.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Experience: Experience in marketing or communication roles, preferably within a multinational or regional context.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other European languages is an advantage.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, marketing automation tools, and design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite).
• Certifications: Google Ads, HubSpot, or similar marketing certifications are a plus.    

Desirable

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.

Honda is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in the workplace for all employees, temporary workers, contractors, applicants and visitors. Honda also encourages respect for the individual differences and talents of others while making full use of one's own abilities, based on Honda's philosophy of respect for the individual.

At Honda, we value and celebrate diversity and are committed to being a fair, non-discriminatory company that promotes and welcomes the uniqueness and differences of people around the world. We recognise that a diverse workforce allows for different ideas and perspectives, and we encourage everyone to share them. We strive to foster a culture of belonging that is consistent with Honda's core values and lived out in the way we work and respect each other. For us at Honda, diversifying our workforce means increasing its overall strength by providing people with equal opportunities - regardless of personal characteristics or previous careers.

This commitment flows directly from the Honda philosophy and the belief that we are all working towards a common goal. Honda recruits, hires, trains and promotes the most qualified/experienced individuals at all levels without regard to race, origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.