Head of Marketing, UK & Ireland
Reporting to:
Chief Marketing Officer, Hays
Base location:
Cheapside, London
Role overview
The Head of Marketing, UK & Ireland will lead demand generation and brand activity across all channels, driving growth in client and candidate engagement for Hays. The role combines digital performance, brand storytelling, and customer marketing to deliver measurable business impact.
This position requires a hands-on, commercially minded marketer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can translate strategy into execution with agility and creativity.
Key Responsibilities
1. Drive Performance and Acquisition
* Plan and execute marketing campaigns that generate quality leads, improve conversion, and deliver measurable ROI.
* Partner with sales and operations to ensure marketing activity directly supports fee growth and productivity.
* Use analytics and insights to track campaign performance, optimise spend, and improve cost-per-acquisition.
* Work closely with global and regional teams to maximise channel performance across digital, email, social, and paid media.
2. Strengthen Customer and Candidate Engagement
* Develop campaigns that deepen relationships with key clients and high-value candidates.
* Support sector marketing leads in building targeted content and journeys across priority business lines.
* Ensure consistent engagement through CRM, nurturing, and performance reporting.
3. Build Brand Visibility and Market Share
* Deliver brand and content programmes that reinforce Hays’ position as the leading recruitment and workforce solutions partner.
* Manage local brand activation across key sectors, ensuring alignment with global positioning and creative standards.
* Partner with PR and social teams to increase visibility, thought leadership, and share of voice in the UK market.
4. Lead and Collaborate
* Lead and coach a multi-disciplinary team across performance marketing, content, digital, and design.
* Work cross-functionally with sales, operations, and data teams to ensure alignment and shared outcomes.
* Manage agency and vendor relationships to deliver high-quality, cost-effective campaigns.
Skills and Experience
* Proven experience in performance, acquisition, or digital marketing, ideally in a multi-channel or service-based environment.
* Strong understanding of marketing analytics, campaign optimisation, and reporting.
* Ability to translate business objectives into actionable marketing plans.
* Creative thinker with a focus on execution, problem-solving, and collaboration.
* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
* Previous experience leading or mentoring a small team.
* Knowledge of recruitment, staffing, or professional services marketing is an advantage.
Mindset and Behaviours
* Commercially driven, with a focus on impact and measurable outcomes.
* Hands-on and adaptable – able to balance strategy with delivery.
* Curious, collaborative, and passionate about driving growth through marketing.
* Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.