How to Navigate a Marketing Career: From a Junior Role to a Director

Welcome back to EMR's Marketing and Communications Leader Series. In this podcast, we dive deep into the journeys of exceptional senior marketing and communication practitioners. Join us as we take a closer look as to how they got started in marketing and the strategies that led them to success in their industries.

Marketing & Communications Leader Series Episode 2: Emma Hill

In this episode, EMR's MD Tom Brockton interviews Emma Hill, now former Group Brand and Marketing Director at Cardano. Emma shares her unconventional journey into the world of marketing, revealing how an unexpected opportunity at FlexTech Television ignited her passion for the field. From a junior role encompassing the full marketing mix to a senior leadership position, Emma's story highlights the transformative power of seizing every opportunity and embracing curiosity and adaptability. Tune in to hear more.

What are the pillars of marketing and communications leadership?

There are three crucial factors for success as a senior leader in marketing communications:

• Commerciality
• Creativity
• Communication skills

In order to be a good marketing leader, you need to be able to understand and analyse data and metrics, and articulate the vision in the language of the boardroom.

So understanding the numbers, at the end of the day, we're here to make the company a success by delivering brilliant products and services for our clients and a brilliant client experience. 

What are the key challenges you can face in a senior marketing position?

Operating at a senior level in marketing and communications comes with its unique set of challenges. You should be able to navigate economic uncertainties and manage multiple projects amidst resource constraints.

You’ll also need to be prepared to make tough decisions, prioritise effectively, and maintain team morale during challenging times.

So, that's parking perhaps a really exciting project that people have got behind, potentially motivating teams during a downturn. You want to keep people engaged and excited and that's your role as a leader to do that.

What skills and experience are important for a marketing leader?

A willingness to embrace opportunities and take on new challenges is key for success as a marketing leader. Learning from past experiences highlights the value of continuous growth. Aspiring marketing professionals are encouraged to foster a mindset of exploration, resilience, and lifelong learning.

I've tried to take every opportunity that's been given to me, even if secretly I was thinking, I don't know if I can do this. But you know, just sort of throw yourself in.

Further advice for aspiring marketing or communications leaders 

Whether you’re an aspiring head or director of marketing and communications, or young professional at the start of your career, ensure you: 

• embrace uncertainty
• seize opportunities
• cultivate meaningful relationships

Emma encourages individuals to trust their instincts, take calculated risks, and build a supportive network of mentors and peers. By embracing a mindset of curiosity and adaptability, aspiring professionals can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of marketing and communications with confidence.

Listen to the full interview with Emma Hill above and follow EMR on LinkedIn to hear about future podcast episodes. 

If you missed the previous episode with Bee Patel, Global Director of Brand & Communications at AlphaSights, listen here to learn how to become a successful marketing and communications leader.