Head of Marketing LIONS

About the Role: Head of Marketing - LIONS Riyadh

Informa PLC is seeking a Head of Marketing for LIONS Riyadh. This full-time role, based in Riyadh, requires 5-10 years of experience. The Head of Marketing will report to the Marketing Director and lead the brand, audience, and go-to-market strategy for LIONS Riyadh. This position is central to establishing the Festival as a key creative industry platform in the region and a recognized part of the global LIONS community.

Company and Festival Context

Tahaluf, a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund (EIF), is a B2B live and on-demand events organizer in Saudi Arabia. LIONS Riyadh is a new Festival launched by Tahaluf in partnership with LIONS and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media. It aims to amplify Middle Eastern creativity globally, connecting the region's creative industries with leading networks, brands, and decision-makers. The inaugural three-day Festival is scheduled for December 6–8, 2027, in Riyadh.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop value propositions and go-to-market strategies in collaboration with commercial leads.
• Oversee the delivery of marketing campaigns aligned with business objectives, timelines, and budgets.
• Manage a cross-functional marketing team, providing guidance and fostering a high-performing environment.
• Build awareness, consideration, and demand for LIONS Riyadh across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and priority international markets.
• Drive qualified registrations, ticket sales, and attendance from target audience segments.
• Ensure all campaigns reflect the LIONS brand, tone, and creative standards, with strong localization for Saudi and regional audiences.
• Maximize the impact of announcements across paid, owned, and earned channels.
• Deliver strong digital engagement, conversion, and return on marketing investment.
• Build an active year-round community for the LIONS Riyadh brand via content marketing.
• Ensure effective collaboration across Marketing, Content, PR, Commercial, and LIONS teams.
• Monitor campaign performance through timely reports and data insights to recommend adjustments.
• Develop and oversee the annual marketing calendar and integrated campaign plans.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in marketing leadership roles.
• Proven track record of commercial collaboration to develop products and positioning based on customer demand.
• Extensive experience in digital marketing, content marketing, and marketing technology.
• Demonstrated ability to build desire around a premium global brand while ensuring cultural relevance.
• Experience managing diverse teams and driving creativity and enthusiasm in others.
• Analytical and data-oriented approach with a history of testing and optimization.
• Adaptability to differing market dynamics and ability to guide campaign strategy accordingly.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong brand thinking and creative judgment.
• Audience insight and commercial marketing expertise.
• Exceptional attention to detail and creative flair.
• Ability to champion bold thinking and audience-first marketing.
• Proficiency in marketing technology solutions and digital marketing.
• Strong collaboration skills across various internal and external teams.
• Understanding of LIONS Riyadh audience segments, motivations, and behaviors across key markets.

Work Environment

This full-time position is based in Riyadh. The role involves working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, collaborating closely with LIONS, Content, Creative, PR, Commercial, and Partnerships teams to strengthen the Festival's positioning and attract high-value audiences.