Destination Marketing Manager

  • Employer: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Salary: Grade J, SCP 36 - 39, £47,181 to £50,269 per annum (pay award pending)
  • Location: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Southport
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Working Pattern: Full Time
  • Hours: 36 hours per week.
  • DBS Check: No
  • Closing Date: 05/05/2026 at 23:59
  • Reference: REA/26/334871

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Service - Visitor Economy and Enterprise, you will be responsible for developing and delivering bold, innovative destination marketing campaigns that raise the profile of Sefton’s key places and drive successful events. You will lead on marketing strategy, campaigns and performance, manage the destination marketing function, and work closely with partners across the public and private sectors.

You will oversee activity across the full marketing mix – digital and traditional – ensuring creative excellence, consistency of place brand and measurable results.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive destination marketing strategy for Sefton
  • Design and implement ambitious, multi‑channel marketing campaigns to drive visitation, inward investment and economic growth
  • Identify target markets and audiences, commissioning and analysing research to inform positioning, messaging and campaign delivery
  • Ensure rigorous campaign planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation
  • Maintain creative and brand excellence across all marketing outputs, on and offline
  • Develop standout campaigns in support of the Place Strategy and Major Events programme, working closely with events colleagues
  • Lead digital marketing activity alongside the Destination Marketing Executive, including social, email, content, video and paid advertising
  • Maximise PR and media coverage, acting as lead liaison with appointed PR consultants
  • Commission and manage external agencies, overseeing procurement, client management and delivery
  • Manage the destination marketing budget and deliver an annual marketing plan aligned to the visitor economy strategy
  • Build strong relationships with stakeholders across tourism, culture, business and regeneration sectors

About you

You will be a confident and experienced marketing professional with a strong background in destination, place or tourism marketing. You will be commercially aware, creatively driven and comfortable working in a complex partnership environment.

You will bring:

  • A recognised marketing qualification or significant experience delivering integrated marketing campaigns
  • At least five years’ experience in a relevant field such as destination marketing
  • A strong understanding of place‑making, cultural tourism and regeneration
  • In‑depth knowledge of digital marketing channels, trends and analytics
  • Excellent communication, copywriting and presentation skills
  • Proven ability to manage budgets, agencies and multiple projects
  • Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills
  • High levels of organisation, attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines

 

Please see Appendix A (page 10) in the recruitment pack for a full copy of the Job Description and Person Specification.

Provisional interview date: week commencing 11th May 2026

 

Equal Opportunities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

Consider registering for Sefton@work

If you’re an unemployed Sefton resident, register with our Sefton@Work service for free support to help you into employment.  You may be eligible for extra assistance such as funding for travel, work clothing, or vouchers to make starting your new job easier.  Call Sefton@Work on 0151 934 2610 or visit seftonatwork.net to find out more and get started today!

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CV’s (unless specified on the advert).

Please fully complete the online application form.



 

Fair Employment charter status at Accredited level

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