Job Description

Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too precious or perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 13 stores across the UK - an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-order service and a thriving website.We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Head of Marketing and Brand on a 12-month fixed term contract, to lead and manage our Marketing, PR & Brand teams, based at our office in Didcot.We operate a hybrid working model: three or more days from the office, with the remainder of the week from home.ABOUT USReporting directly to the CEO, the Head of Marketing and Brand is responsible for creating and leading ambitious, customer-led marketing and brand strategies. Based on a deep understanding of the OKA customer, you will work in collaboration with our commercial teams to deliver a seamless customer experience and achieve our sales ambitions. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on management to ensure the successful delivery of marketing initiatives.This individual will have management responsibility for Marketing, PR, Social Media, Creative Design, and Photography. They will work closely in collaboration with the Head of CRM and the Head of Ecommerce to ensure cohesive strategies that align with overall business goals.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESPeople & Culturexc2xb7 Accountable for your department embodying OKA's culture and values by fostering a positive and inclusive environment that inspires creativity and collaboration.xc2xb7 Provides strategic leadership to direct reports (including Managers, and technical experts), ensuring alignment with OKA's culture and vision.xc2xb7 Responsible for setting a clear vision for the team and tracking successes by being results-focused, fostering motivation, and celebrating achievements.xc2xb7 Oversees day-to-day team management responsibilities, ensuring team members are supported, productive, and working effectively towards their goals.xc2xb7 Responsible for conducting regular performance reviews, managing team development, and recruiting new team members as needed to ensure the department operates effectively.Strategyxc2xb7 Build a deep understanding of today's consumer landscape through insight about the market and competitive landscape, constantly providing feedback into the brand value proposition, and sharing with the wider team to enrich decision-makingxc2xb7 Accountable for delivering the functional marketing strategy, ensuring alignment with OKA's wider strategic pillars.xc2xb7 Contributes to strategic business planning by bringing consumer insights and data-driven recommendations to enhance OKA's marketing and brand approach.xc2xb7 Creates, drives, and embeds key initiatives that elevate OKA's brand visibility, engagement, and growth, seeing them through from inception to execution.xc2xb7 Able to challenge the roadmaps of other departments, collaborating closely with the Head of CRM and Head of Ecommerce to ensure alignment with OKA's overall objectives and customer-centric values.Commercialxc2xb7 Accountable for your team's contribution to OKA's P&L, ensuring marketing and brand initiatives deliver measurable ROI and support business growth.xc2xb7 Strategic planning and management of the marketing budget aligning to the business strategy, with a focus on improving cost efficienciesxc2xb7 Plays an active role in navigating trade challenges by adapting strategies to respond to market conditions and ensuring commercial resilience.Content and Campaignsxc2xb7 Lead the creative team to deliver inspirational and engaging content and campaigns across all consumer touchpoints: digital, retail, magazine, and social presence.xc2xb7 Lead the communications team on the development and execution of a robust press and media strategy to strengthen OKA brand awareness and equity.xc2xb7 Strengthen OKA brand awareness and equity, increasing our digital presence and customer engagement through robust social media strategies and authentic brand partnershipsxc2xb7 Ensure OKA has a strong and active presence on social media, leveraging it as a tool for storytelling, community growth, and commercial performance.xc2xb7 Working with the Sales Director create marketing plans for the key commercial channels including retail, trade (B2B) and OKA's interior design studioxc2xb7 Acting as brand guardian and taking ownership of the brand guidelines and the brand design aestheticCollaboration and Customer Experiencexc2xb7 Be a strong and influential voice in the end-to-end CX mapping project, delivering compelling communications throughout the customer journey.xc2xb7 Drive ESG from a brand strategy and customer communications perspective with a particular focus on charity.xc2xb7 Work closely with the Head of CRM and Head of Ecommerce to create cohesive and aligned marketing strategies that ensure an integrated customer journey.ABOUT YOUxc2xb7 Proven track record, at senior level, of leading a marketing and brand function within homewares or a parallel sector, operating in the premium contemporary marketplace.xc2xb7 Strong knowledge of social channels and how to maximize their potential.xc2xb7 Customer-centric and data-led approach, able to rapidly interpret data to ensure the right outcomes for the brand and customer.xc2xb7 Strong strategic and business acumen with a clear creative vision within a commercial environment.xc2xb7 Outstanding people manager with an engaging and open management style who can train and motivate a team, manage performance, and drive productivity.xc2xb7 Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing these initiatives.xc2xb7 A hands-on team player who thrives on collaboration and is confident interacting with colleagues at all levels across the business.xc2xb7 Passion for interiors and design, with a creative, problem-solving spirit.xc2xb7 Passion for the OKA brand and its values.OUR BENEFITS PACKAGExc2xb7 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), pro rata, plus Length of Service increasesxc2xb7 Day off for your birthdayxc2xb7 Health Cash Planxc2xb7 Generous staff discountxc2xb7 Enhanced Maternity Payxc2xb7 Employee Assistance Programmexc2xb7 Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Schemexc2xb7 Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.If successful you will become part of the OKA family, a fast-paced and dynamic business. If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and details of your salary expectations, notice period and right to work information via the link provided.

OKA