If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.

Overview

Linnaeus is part of Mars Petcare and is a key contributor to the UK Mars Petcare Ecosystem Program. Its aim is to unite the Petcare divisions to work together to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS, and to explore opportunities for synergistic growth. This exciting role has become available to enable the effective implementation of ecosystem projects across Linnaeus for 1 year, with opportunity for extension dependent upon proven success. The post holder will also be responsible for setting the events strategy and managing key events for the business, some of which will involve working with partners in the Ecosystem.

This exciting role offers a unique opportunity to bring to life ecosystem initiatives through marketing activity and events with the chance to work with our global partners within Mars Petcare. The post holder will report into the Senior Brand Manager and work very closely with the Ecosystem Strategic Lead as well as other key stakeholders across the ecosystem.

The role offers hybrid working with occasional travel to our central support office in Solihull as well as travel throughout the UK for attendance at events and meetings.

Ecosystem

Provide effective marketing management for all aspects of the Ecosystem programme. Including:

• Proposing, signing-off, developing, building and launching marketing contributions to Ecosystem projects
• Designing, developing and launching marketing materials in line with Ecosystem and Linnaeus brand guidelines as appropriate (e.g. physical posters/postcards and digital adverts/CRM email journey) by:
  • Coordinating with creative teams across the Ecosystem to leverage existing marketing materials/expertise and work with internal and external resource to develop materials where required.
  • Co-ordinating with agencies (including brand design, videographers, printers etc.) where appropriate, working closely with the Senior Brand Manager, Ecosystem Strategic Lead and other stakeholders for approval.
• Proposing marketing success metrics and route to KPI tracking for projects, aligning on these with the Ecosystem Strategic Lead.
• Working closely and collaboratively with other Linnaeus functions to drive fast-paced alignment and project success, including Data and Analytics and Digital teams to ensure effective oversight of project performance.
• Developing clear timelines and plans for the projects whilst highlighting risks and working through these with a clear focus on project delivery.
• Leading and facilitating workstream meetings, ideation sessions and review ensuring outputs are effectively captured and shared with stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Aligning on customer journeys, from traffic generation strategies through to customer experience and KPI tracking.
• Leading from an Ecosystem lens on strategic projects that coordinate with Ecosystem projects (e.g. PH4L future strategy), proposing strategy and route to delivery (incl. commercial and operational)
• Contributing to innovative solutions for projects to create A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS throughout scoping, design and build phases.

Events

• Define and implement the events strategy for the Linnaeus, working closely with a variety of key stakeholders across the business.
• Raise brand awareness of Linnaeus externally and also embed our culture internally through engaging and informative events and campaigns that are on-brand and meet KPI’s.
• Manage the events budget for the business and ensure that this is kept up to date and tracked on a month-by-month basis, demonstrating return on investment against event KPI’s.
• Build relationships with key event organisers and suppliers to ensuring value for the business. Seeking new opportunities, ideas and ways of working to continually enhance and evolve our events programme.
• Manage attendance at key industry events and exhibitions through event planning, collaborative working groups, from conception through to delivery and measurement.
• Work closely with the Brand Team and external agencies on supporting materials required for events and projects including printed materials, stand design and digital assets.
• Provide guidance on best practice and develop ‘toolkits’ for a variety of other ‘business as usual’ events including careers fairs, CPD sessions and online events.
• Coordinate merchandise for key events ensuring they’re on brand and in line with our sustainability strategy. Develop relationships with promotional suppliers for materials.
• Develop systems and processes to ensure events run smoothly and all relevant stakeholders are briefed.
• Manage annual conference and awards events, working closely with the Leadership Team and other senior stakeholders. Manage all communication, planning, budgeting and activation for the event. Work closely with all other teams across the business to engage and support as required. Provide briefing documents for team who are supporting at the event. Arrange pre and post event surveys to gauge perception and also post event wash ups, both internally and externally to measure effectiveness and optimise for the following year.
• Build partnerships and seek opportunities for cross collaboration for events with other Mars brands as well as other 3rd party partners.

Personal specification

Essential:

• Previous involvement in proposing, developing and launching marketing projects with preferable experience including working across cross-functional, multi-stakeholder environments.
• 5+ years’ experience in event planning and management
• Developing clear KPIs and measuring ROI
• Budget management
• Collaborative working and stakeholder management across a large organisation
• Promoting B2B events, internally and externally.
• Event strategy planning
• Implementing processes
• Management of external suppliers including event contractors and working with agencies and in-house design resource.
• Understanding of B2B and B2C marketing and customer journeys
• Understanding of core marketing principles, growth drivers and opportunities
• Health and safety considerations for events
• Digital marketing channels and utilisation.
• Highly organised and strong problem solving skills.
• Proactive and motivated individual, with high learning agility
• Strong time and prioritisation management, with knowledge of project management and event tools.
• Pragmatic decision making in line with quick test and learn pilots within market.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management, with ability to influence and motivate across functions and levels (including on the clinic floor)
• Ability to think broadly, engaging and building strong relationships with Linnaeus and the Mars Petcare divisions
• Influencing skills
• Work well within a team as well as independently.
• Relationship management
• Collaboration
• Ability to shape and create
• Time management and organisation skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Writing compelling and engaging content

Desirable

• Day to day experience of life in veterinary primary care practices and referral hospitals
• Events or campaign lead for a large global organisation.
• Experience in strategic thinking for future propositions.
• Relevant experience with customer journey improvement and pain point-led agile work.
• Veterinary or healthcare industry experience
• Events systems/software
• Understanding of customer relationship management (CRM) tools
• Understanding of the motivations and priorities of our customers and in-practice teams

Salary Value: £47,000 per annum;

We are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people.

Why Linnaeus?

-    We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets

-    We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet

-    We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – valuing equity, diversity and inclusion

-    We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one.

We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future.

Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates.

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people.

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button or for more information or please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]