Marketing Manager

About KILROY

KILROY is a youth and student travel specialist helping young people design meaningful adventures all over the world — from gap years and group trips to volunteering, working holidays and medical placements.

Our UK base is in Bristol, where travel advisors, marketing and leadership work together to inspire young travellers and support their journeys.

The role

We’re looking for a Marketing Manager who combines strong people skills with solid commercial acumen.
Someone who brings energy into the room, builds relationships naturally, and also understands how to run the marketing function as a business.

This is not a pure digital role. It is a people-powered, presence-driven role where you will spend time with colleagues, students, parents, suppliers and creators, alongside managing campaigns and performance.

• You will work very closely with the Head of Commercial for the UK on priorities, performance and direction.
  You will also manage and develop a small team.

The environment is collaborative, hands-on and fast-moving — and the work is best done together, which is why the role is full-time, in-office in Bristol.

What you’ll do

Be a visible, active presence in the Bristol hub

• Work closely with the sales team to understand customer needs and motivations
• Capture content and ideas in person
• Bring collaboration, energy and momentum into the office

Lead events, outreach and relationship-based marketing together with your team

• Represent KILROY at student fairs, schools, colleges and universities
• Confidently present to groups, run sessions and engage parents and students
• Support influencer trips, local partnerships and campus activities 

Guide our storytelling and content

• Set clear direction and priorities for how KILROY UK shows up across all channels
• Ensure storytelling is human, relevant and aligned with commercial goals and brand positioning Work through the Social Media & Events Coordinator and in collaboration with central marketing teams to brief, guide and quality-check content and campaigns
• Contribute ideas and feedback on short-form video and in-office content, without being the primary day-to-day producer
• Partner with central teams to improve website clarity, messaging and overall customer experience

Run the marketing function with a strong commercial mindset

• Monitor enquiry performance and customer behaviour
• Adjust activity based on what drives results, not just impressions
• Own and track budgets; make decisions based on ROI and value
• Report clearly on performance, priorities and opportunities

Lead and support your team

• Manage, support and mentor direct reports
• Provide structure, clear priorities and regular feedback
• Foster a positive, supportive working environment

Collaborate and influence

• Work closely with the Head of Commercial on direction and planning
• Drive follow-through and accountability across all marketing activity
• Help shape how KILROY shows up across the UK

What the role involves, day to day

Working closely with the Head of Commercial, you will help manage the UK marketing budget and ensure resources are used effectively across campaigns, channels and content. You’ll have a solid understanding of paid marketing across platforms such as Meta, YouTube and TikTok, and of paid search on Google, working alongside colleagues and external partners to manage these. The ability to be hands-on when needed is important, but please note that this is not a digital marketing specialist role. You are someone who can prioritise as needed, challenge results and make commercially sound decisions.

You will regularly review campaign performance, adjust tactics based on results, and balance short-term impact with longer-term brand building.

The role also involves keeping an eye on market trends, competitor activity and customer behaviour in the youth and travel space; ensuring consistent brand messaging across all UK marketing activity; collaborating with both local and central teams on promotions, events and content (including blogs, video and organic social); building and nurturing partnerships with businesses and influencers; and acting as an active member of the local leadership team, contributing to wider business initiatives beyond marketing alone.

Planning, running and attending events across the UK is a key part of this role. As a result, applicants should hold a valid driving licence to enable flexible travel when needed.

Who we’re looking for

A people-first marketer

• You get energy from being around people
• You enjoy being in front of groups, presenting and representing a brand
• You thrive in a lively, social office environment
• You want to be a visible ambassador for KILROY in the UK.

Commercially minded

• You understand marketing as a driver of enquiries and revenue
• You’re comfortable thinking in terms of value, efficiency and impact
• You enjoy analysing what converts — and why

A proactive, hands-on doer

You move quickly, follow up and make things happen You’re comfortable in a practical, entrepreneurial environment.

A balanced generalist

• Experience working across multiple areas of marketing such as events, content, social, partnerships and digital — with a strong understanding of how they worktogether.
• Strong communicator and confident presenter, comfortable representing the brand and leading conversations.

Leadership experience

• Previous experience managing or mentoring others is required.
• You enjoy coaching, guiding and helping people grow.
• You’re comfortable setting expectations and providing structure.

Relevant professional background

• 4–6+ years of marketing experience in a commercial environment (consumer, youth-focused brands, travel, lifestyle, education services, hospitality, etc.)
• Experience engaging with students or young adults is advantageous — especially in a B2C commercial context.

What we offer

• A role where your personality, leadership and commercial thinking all matter
• Full ownership of the UK marketing function
• Travel perks and opportunities to experience life-changing trips
• A friendly, international and social environment
• Room to grow, develop and shape KILROY’s UK future
• A meaningful job where the “Power of Travel” is key.