Vice President Marketing

Location: Onsite, UAEReporting To: Executive TeamIndustry: RetailEngagement Type: Confidential Executive Search

THE OPPORTUNITY

Eaton SAKS International has another incredible opportunity for an exceptional Vice President – Marketing for a leading international retail organization.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future direction of one of the region's most respected retail organizations during an important stage of its continued evolution.

This is a broad enterprise leadership appointment rather than a traditional functional marketing role. The successful candidate will define the long-term direction for the organization's brand, customer and market agenda, ensuring these capabilities remain closely aligned with commercial priorities and long-term business objectives.

Operating within a complex, multi-brand and multi-category retail environment, the Vice President Marketing will work in partnership with the CEO and senior leadership team to strengthen organizational capability, elevate customer relevance and build greater alignment across the business.

This appointment calls for an accomplished retail executive with exceptional commercial judgement, strategic perspective and the ability to influence across a sophisticated matrix organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Marketing and Portfolio Leadership
• Define and lead the long-term brand, customer and marketing strategy across a diverse multi-brand retail portfolio, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic and commercial priorities.
• Strengthen brand equity by enhancing customer relevance while preserving the distinct identity and positioning of each brand.
• Develop a portfolio-wide approach to customer engagement that builds long-term brand preference, loyalty and sustainable commercial value.
• Identify strategic opportunities to enhance brand performance, strengthen customer relationships and accelerate sustainable business growth.
• Ensure marketing strategies are closely aligned with customer, product and commercial priorities through strong partnership with Commercial, Merchandising and Retail leadership.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
• Partner with the Executive Leadership Team to shape strategic priorities, providing expert counsel on brand, customer and marketing performance.
• Influence and align Brand Managing Directors and senior Commercial, Merchandising and Retail leaders to drive enterprise-wide collaboration across a complex, matrixed organization.
• Establish robust governance frameworks for marketing strategy, brand stewardship, investment prioritization and performance measurement across the portfolio.
• Lead strategic agency and external partner relationships to ensure exceptional execution, brand integrity and strong commercial outcomes.EXPERIENCE &

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 12 years progressive leadership experience, including significant experience at Director, Vice President or equivalent executive level.
• Demonstrated experience within internationally recognized fashion, lifestyle, luxury or multi-category retail, with a strong track record of building brand equity and driving commercial performance.
• Experience leading marketing within highly competitive Western European retail markets, particularly the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Benelux or the Nordics, is highly valued, bringing a depth of brand-building expertise and customer insight that complements the organization’s continued growth ambitions.
• International leadership experience.
• Previous GCC exposure is advantageous but not essential.
• The ability to adapt to and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth regional market is essential.
• Proven experience managing multi-brand or multi-category portfolio marketing at a senior level.
• Track record of reporting to and influencing at CEO and Board level.
• Experience owning significant marketing budgets and demonstrating accountability for ROI and commercial outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business Administration, Commerce or a related discipline is preferred; an MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is an advantage.CRITICAL LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIESThe successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional capability across the following dimensions:
• Strategic Vision & Brand Leadership
• Commercial Acumen & P&L Ownership
• Multi-Brand Portfolio Management
• Consumer centric Leadership
• Stakeholder Influence & Executive Presence
• Team Building & Talent Development
• Leading Through Ambiguity & Complexity
• Cross Cultural Leadership & AdaptabilityWHY THIS ROLEThis is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future direction of a leading international retail organization while working in close partnership with the executive leadership team.
• The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in strengthening customer relevance, developing organizational capability, leading a high-performing team and influencing the long-term success of a portfolio of established retail brands.
• Due to the volume of interest this mandate is expected to generate, only candidates whose profiles closely match the stated requirements will be contacted.
• All applications are treated with the strictest confidence.