The Senior Marketing Planning Manager APAC will lead strategy planning and alignment across Merlin's diverse portfolio of attractions and brands in the APAC. This role will ensure cohesive planning and collaboration between all areas within the overall Marketing function – from marketing specialist teams such as brand, digital marketing and partnerships and the regional / local marketing teams in APAC, to drive growth through data-informed decisions and innovative approaches. This role will also need to ensure Marketing as a function collaborates and aligns plans with other business functions and processes across Merlin effectively and efficiently. Reporting to the Global Planning Director, you will champion brand consistency, campaign effectiveness, and long-term strategic planning in APAC, in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You will be the conductor of the Marketing orchestra at Merlin in APAC!

Strategic Marketing Planning:

Develop and oversee the APAC marketing calendar, ensuring synergy across all brands, specialisms and regions.

Align marketing strategies with Merlin’s broader business objectives and growth targets, ensuring that Marketing’s interdependencies with other business functions and processes are well understood and effectively managed.

Lead the annual and multi-year marketing planning process in APAC, incorporating APAC trends, data insights, and customer feedback.

Collaboration & Leadership:

Act as the central hub for APAC and local marketing teams, fostering alignment and sharing best practices.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including commercial, operations, and digital teams, to optimize marketing effectiveness.

Serve as the voice of the marketing function in APAC in cross-departmental planning meetings and strategy sessions.

Campaign Oversight:

Ensure brand consistency and innovation in APAC marketing campaign development

Provide strategic guidance on campaign performance metrics in the APAC, ensuring continuous improvement.

Partner with creative, media, and digital teams to ensure seamless campaign execution.

Market Insights & Analysis:

Analyse APAC market trends, customer insights, and competitive landscapes to shape data-driven strategies.

Ensure APAC marketing plans are tailored to the unique needs of the market while maintaining global consistency.

Monitor and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) including econometric/ marketing mix modelling and recommend strategic adjustments as needed.

Budget & Resource Management:

Manage APAC marketing budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation and ROI optimization.

Drive efficiency and scalability across marketing operations and campaign planning.

• Proven experience in a marketing leadership role, ideally in a global or multi-regional organization. 
• Exceptional strategic planning and project management skills. 
• Strong understanding of brand management, digital marketing, and campaign analytics. 
• Experience leading diverse teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships. 
• Data-driven mindset with proficiency in leveraging insights for decision-making. 
• Experience within the entertainment, tourism, or hospitality industries. 
• Familiarity with APAC markets and cultural nuances in marketing strategies. 
• Proficiency in managing large-scale marketing budgets.
• A pragmatic and hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and in a complex matrix structure
• Passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences.