#BalanceforBetter
“Balance drives a better working world. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter.”
This is the theme of this year’s International Women's Day, a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.
At EMR we take the issue of the gender balance in marketing seriously, both for our clients, our candidates and ourselves. Our partnership with Women in Marketing sees us support them in their own initiatives to promote gender equality within our industries, and our reporting on the gender divide in marketing has proved just how great a gap there is. This year’s Market Report, which is out soon, showed improvement in female representation in senior roles compared to a decade ago. However, 2019’s analysis found no change year-on-year in the top roles or pay – there are still double the number of male CMOs and Directors compared to female. In fact, 4 in 10 private companies reported a wider gender gap this year according to the BBC.
So what can be done?
Over the last year we have been speaking to female marketing leaders who have made it to the top in male-dominated industries to discover just how they did it and their perspective on balancing for better.
Their advice shines a spotlight on four key areas that are important for anyone navigating their way through a successful career, as well as employers on how they can better balance gender equality across their departments.
1. Create opportunities for brilliance
“You have to do more than your day job to stand out. Put your hand up, be eager. Your reputation is everything and once it’s established opportunities will come your way” – Jane Parry
“Go and dare – be the change agent. Come out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself.” – Payal Raina
Women sometimes feel they have to work twice as hard to stand out. Adopting a recognition and reward strategy can help provide opportunities for anyone who works hard, and especially help females who aren’t as good at shouting about their achievements.
2. Invest in training and development
“Marketing is constantly evolving and changing, and it’s imperative to have a constant curiosity to keep up with trends. You have to continue to push yourself to keep on learning throughout your career. I invest in training for me and my department, and have up-skilled many of my team to experience more in digital” – Kirsten Burt
“Higher education in business has been transformative for my career, especially as a woman in banking. I completed an MBA in International Management in my mid-20s, which gave me the confidence to speak-up and lead in a mostly male environment”– Kirsten Burt
Our market report shows that investment in training is falling, but at a time when upskilling existing employees, especially in digital skills, is more important than ever. Female employees often value a total benefits package, so offering training and development opportunities are a great way to retain quality staff, upskill your department and keep female employees especially valued.
3. Champion flexible working
“I have retained all our talented women who are mothers, by offering them all the flexibility they need. I think we are all grateful to be offered this flexibility and work even harder and show more loyalty to managers and firms who offer it. I think flexible working is a godsend and the best thing ever for balancing work and parenthood’ - Kirsten Burt
“It is really important to have a supportive employer [with young children]; I was able to work from home and have flexible hours. Because of my global roles I had the trust to manage my own time. Ultimately, you have to have the belief and as long as you’re delivering excellence that’s all that matters” – Payal Raina
We are actively seeing employers lose out on talent if they fail to offer flexible working. This applies to all employees but especially working mothers. Offering more flexible working hours, opportunities to work from home and part-time roles where available are a great way to attract top female talent to your business.
4. Use data to justify salary conversations and benchmark pay
“I do think [its] true that women under-sell themselves and give recruiters salary expectations that are too low to move. I think women need to be bolder and ask for the bigger salaries they deserve. Look at salary surveys and stand your ground” – Kirsten Burt
“Reading industry reports, understanding your perceived value in a firm and maintaining a record of successful ROI driven initiatives are good contributors to salary benchmarking” – Jen Barham
“I’m a strong believer in the fact that metrics of success should be reviewed to ensure that they are gender neutral - often, success isn’t taken based on delivery, but by those who talk about their success in delivery, which can sometimes be easier for men surrounded by other men, than for women”– Jen Barham
Ensuring that pay review structures, and those recognition and reward schemes, are based on SMART objectives and measurable data, wherever possible, will help to level pay-related conversations.
You can read the latest full interview in our series with Payal Raina here
Sign up for more insights
Related jobs
Salary
£30000 - £35000 per annum
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Social Media
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Executive
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
FMCG & Consumer Services
City
London
Description
Social Media Manager for a fast-growing hair and skincare brand known for premium quality products that are affordable.
Reference
PR/132484_1714400129
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Amy McCrowAuthor
Amy McCrowSalary
£45000 - £55000 per annum + Excellent Bonus + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Event Marketing
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£45,000 - £59,999
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
Events Manager
Reference
RPJY_1714144213
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£28000 - £32000 per annum
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Marketing (general)
Seniority
Assistant
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
Leisure Travel & Sport
City
London
Description
Marketing Assistant for luxury yacht brokerage based in South West London. Reporting directly to the Head of Marketing, this is a key role in supporting the growth of the brand.
Reference
TJB/MA_1714056227
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Amy McCrowAuthor
Amy McCrowSalary
Negotiable
Location
West London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Marketing (general)
Seniority
Specialist
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
Leisure Travel & Sport
City
London
Description
Based in West London and working within one of the most exciting industries within luxury travel, this role will see you joining as their new Marketing Executive.
Reference
PR/132483_1714036218
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Rebekah CrampAuthor
Rebekah CrampSalary
£45000 - £55000 per annum
Location
West London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Social Media
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£45,000 - £59,999
Sector
Leisure Travel & Sport
City
London
Description
Based in West London and working within one of the most exciting industries within luxury travel this role will see you reporting to the Marketing Director and join as their new Social Media Manager.
Reference
PR/132482_1713976337
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Rebekah CrampAuthor
Rebekah CrampSalary
£40000 - £50000 per annum
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Brand Marketing
Marketing (general)
Event Marketing
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£45,000 - £59,999
Sector
Health & Wellbeing
City
London
Description
An established and market-leading talent firm who work within the healthcare industry are seeking a highly skilled Marketing Manager
Reference
PR/132479_1713456470
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Katie Halliday (née Rogers)Author
Katie Halliday (née Rogers)Salary
£35000 - £42000 per annum
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Bids & Tenders
Business Development
Marketing (general)
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Executive
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
Business Services
City
London
Description
Our client is a successful, market-leading UK and international law firm who are looking for an ambitious and creative Marketing & Business Development Executive to join the team.
Reference
PR/132480_1713456255
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Katie Halliday (née Rogers)Author
Katie Halliday (née Rogers)Salary
£35000 - £40000 per annum
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Media Relations & PR
Work From Home
Work From Home
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
Financial Services
City
London
Description
PR Manager for Luxury Investment, E-commerce and Retail company based in Central London. Developing and executing PR campaigns that enhance brand visibility and reputation.
Reference
PR/132467_1712670963
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Amy McCrowAuthor
Amy McCrowSalary
£120000 - £150000 per annum + Benefits
Location
City of London, London
Job Type
Fixed Term Contract
Discipline
B2B
Seniority
Director/Chief
Salary
£125,000 +
Sector
Publishing
City
London
Description
CMO - 6-month Contract - Subscription Marketing Experience Needed
Reference
RPT_1712153059
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ronak PatelAuthor
Ronak PatelSalary
£30000 - £35000 per annum + + Benefits
Location
London
Job Type
Permanent
Discipline
Social Media
Seniority
Manager
Salary
£30,000 - £44,999
Sector
Retail
City
London
Description
Become a Social Media Manager for a luxury assets broker who focuses on helping individuals gain wealth by investing in a number of distinct luxury products.
Reference
PR/ 132438_1712053229
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Shanelle GreenAuthor
Shanelle GreenRelated posts
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/26/2024
Summary
Marketing & Communications Leader Series Eepisode.1: Bee PatelWe are pleased to be launching EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series. In this podcast, we dive deep into the journeys of excep
Teaser
Discipline expertiseContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
In the wake of the global pandemic, the tech industry has embraced change and innovation in the way it operates and manages its workforce. The shift to remote and hybrid work, the acceleration
Teaser
Case StudiesContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
Spotlight: Property GPE is a UK property development and investment company - it mainly owns office buildings, with a smaller amount of retail property. The company invests in and develops cent
by
EMR Recruitment
Teaser
Case StudiesContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
Spotlight: B2C Based in Palma, Italy, Barilla is an Italian family-owned food company and the world’s largest pasta producer. Established in 1877, it’s now an international Group present in mor
by
EMR Recruitment
Teaser
Discipline expertiseContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
04/02/2024
Summary
The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way businesses operate and reshaped clients' expectations, emphasising the importance of agility, efficiency, and digital fluency in service delivery. At
Teaser
Discipline expertiseContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
03/08/2024
Summary
Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands have been at the forefront of digital-first innovation in marketing. Traditionally, these brands relied heavily on third-party retailers and marketplaces to reach consu
by
Rebekah Cramp
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
01/17/2024
Summary
Welcome back to EMR's Marketing & Communications Leader Series, where we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing and communications practitioners. Join us as we take a closer look
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
01/12/2024
Summary
There has never been a better time to launch or boost a career in communications. 2022 was an excellent year to invest in communications, and in 2024, it’s even more vital as people want to feel conn
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
01/03/2024
Summary
Welcome back to EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series, where we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing and communications practitioners. Join us as we explore their pat
Teaser
Career adviceContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
11/28/2023
Summary
Welcome back to EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series, where we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing and communication practitioners. Join us as we take a closer l
Recently viewed jobs