Channel & Partner Communications Lead - India
Marcom is the creatively-led global team that oversees Apple’s consumer facing marketing. We ensure the flawless development and execution of world-class communications across all media and platforms. Every day, hundreds of millions of Apple customers around the world interact with our products. We drive the strategy and creative work that provide both new and existing customers with simple, engaging and inspiring marketing experiences.
The India Channel & Partner Communications Marcom team is responsible for all marketing communications and customer experiences across Apple’s indirect channels in India. We formulate world-class omni-channel strategies that provide customers thoughtful, engaging and integrated experiences; experiences that meet Apple’s brand and creative standards of excellence.
As we grow our business in India, we are seeking an exceptional individual who can operate successfully in our exciting fast-paced environment and lead our Channel and Partner Communications team. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the team responsible for driving ambition for Apple’s presence in the channel environments, making recommendations on closing skill gaps to drive integrated partner marketing plans, and represent groups on the India Marcom Leadership Team
- Drive planning and creative execution of Apple-led communications & experiences (product launches, refreshes, campaign extensions) in Channel, ensuring on-time delivery, seamless execution and ongoing learnings and insights.
- Ensure alignment both internally with world wide (WW) channel functions and sales, and externally with partners.
- Define clear annual sales and marketing plans for key partners by working closely with key sales account managers to define not only better branded merchandising solutions throughout a partner's retail estate, but also better integrated communications to support initiatives.
- Synthesizing annual partner plans at the local (Geo) level and identifying key opportunities to feed the Marketing planning review process.
- Responsible for understanding and sharing insights pertaining to key business partners across a variety of routes to market.
- Close partnership with the WW Channel and WW Partner Communications leads to ensure ongoing alignment of platforms and content across all routes to markets.
- Develop excellent collaborative working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
- 15+ years experience in a marketing/advertising agency or in-house marketing communications organisation
- Experience leading and developing a team
- An understanding of digital platforms in India, provide guidance on consumer journeys to drive platform engagements and content innovations
- A deep understanding of offline and online retail environments in India across different cities and types of routes to markets; ability to drive strategic points of view
- Capable of seeing the bigger picture and orchestrating projects to the end
- Proven experience of strong leadership skills at all levels of a global organisation, working with and inspiring a large team
- Extensive experience in, brand communications (ATL and BTL), and an understanding of full spectrum communications
- A strong strategic problem solver, capable of influencing senior stakeholders, both internally and externally
- Capable of decoding creative work quickly to feedback real time on partners ideas and creative concepts
- Experienced in partnering with, and building productive relationships with creative teams
- Proven flexibility/adaptability to change in dynamic environments and working as a member of a strong team
- Strong attention to detail and results orientation
- Experience working with third parties, to influence, inform and guide their creative efforts
- Knowledge of channel marketing disciplines, including visual merchandising, retail marketing/campaigns, POS, and customer-engagement programs