Regional Marketing Manager, Northern Europe

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance based annual bonuses, stock options and training opportunities.

If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role:

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is looking for a Netherlands-based Regional Marketing Manager to join our Sales and Marketing team. The team works closely with Kobo’s bookseller partners, consumer electronics channels and online marketplaces to drive growth, brand visibility, customer acquisition and sales for Kobo.

Reporting to the Director of Channel Marketing, the Regional Marketing Manager plays a vital role to ensure Kobo eReaders, content and subscription services are front and center wherever consumers shop. The Marketing Manager will design and execute quarterly retail channel marketing strategies inclusive of POS marketing, online advertising, integrated campaigns, promotion, and sales account support. Working closely with our partners, local agencies, and the brand and marketing teams at Rakuten Kobo headquarters, the Manager will drive Kobo eReader, accessory and gift card sales as well as ebook, audiobook and subscription sales, with a focus on bringing new customers into the Kobo ecosystem.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with physical and digital bookstore partners to create and execute co-marketing plans
• Develop regional channel marketing plans that align with global brand priorities and regional sales targets, ensuring efficiency and ROI on marketing spends
• Optimize our physical footprint: training, merchandising, sales support
• Drive awareness and optimize conversion via online advertising tactics
• Participate in cross-functional launch marketing planning for new hardware introductions and software rollouts
• Track, analyze and report campaign performance using data to optimize future investments
• Travel as needed within the region (~20% Travel Requirement)

The Person:

The role requires a team player focused on delivering profitable results with a hands-on approach to delivering with speed, attention to detail and a passion for competing in the exciting but highly competitive world of digital reading.

A candidate with a good combination of strategic, leadership and executional skills will thrive.

The Skillset:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of channel marketing, partner marketing or regional trade marketing in consumer retail or e-commerce
• Strong team player with ability to harness external expertise to drive integrated marketing campaigns with impact
• Demonstrated understanding, if not experience, in digital marketing and advertising
• Track record of managing marketing relationships with external partners/retail accounts
• Creative thinker who is also comfortable working with data to translate marketing metrics into commercial insights
• Adept at working in a fast-paced environment as part of cross-functional internal teams and with external stakeholders
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Fluency in Dutch and English, French an asset
• A genuine love for books, reading culture and consumer technology.
• Industry experience with technology, digital content, subscription and/or consumer electronics

The Perks:

• Remote working environment
• 4 extra long weekends around bank holiday weekends
• Full benefits starting from your first day
• Paid volunteer days, unlimited sick days
• Flexible spending account
• Talent and development training budget
• Free Kobo device + free weekly eBook or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Maternity/paternity leave top-up

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s digital bookseller created by and for booklovers. Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten Group, Inc. and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo’s millions of worldwide users can read anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With a mission to make reading lives better for all, Rakuten Kobo connects readers to stories using thoughtful and personalized curation of eBooks and audiobooks, and the best dedicated eReaders and apps for reading. With the singular focus of making reading lives the best they can be, Kobo’s open platform allows people to fit reading into more moments in their busy lives. To learn more about Rakuten Kobo, visit www.kobo.com.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.  

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.  

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