Senior Marketing & Communications Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a highly capable, proactive and commercially minded Senior Marketing & Communications Manager to lead the day-to-day execution of Monks' communications, thought leadership, events and industry recognition programmes across Asia Pacific.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who combines exceptional editorial and communications expertise with strategic thinking, strong stakeholder management and outstanding execution capabilities.

Working closely with the regional Marketing VP, you will translate business priorities into compelling industry narratives, impactful marketing initiatives and measurable outcomes. You will take ownership of regional marketing communications operations, directly manage an Event Specialist and work with senior business leaders, global marketing teams and external partners across multiple markets.

We are looking for someone who takes initiative, anticipates needs, exercises sound judgment and drives projects independently from concept to completion.

The role is structured around three core areas:

• 50% — Editorial, PR & Thought Leadership
• 30% — Events & Industry Engagement
• 20% — Awards & Industry Recognition

Key Responsibilities

1. Editorial, PR & Thought Leadership (50%)

• Own and drive the regional editorial and communications calendar, proactively identifying stories, opportunities and industry conversations that strengthen Monks' positioning.
• Develop high-quality thought leadership, opinion pieces, executive commentary, press releases, case studies, white papers and other editorial content.
• Translate complex topics across AI, advertising, media, technology and creativity into clear, compelling and commercially relevant narratives.
• Ghostwrite and develop executive communications, including speeches, keynote narratives, talking points, interviews and industry commentary.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with leading advertising, marketing, business and technology media across APAC.
• Independently manage media announcements, interview opportunities, editorial placements and communications projects from concept through publication.
• Work closely with senior leadership and subject matter experts to identify newsworthy stories and develop differentiated points of view.
• Ensure regional communications align with Monks' global positioning while reflecting local market priorities.

2. Events & Industry Engagement (30%)

• Oversee the regional events and industry engagement programme, ensuring initiatives align with marketing priorities and business objectives.
• Directly manage the Event Specialist, providing direction, setting priorities and overseeing the planning and delivery of conferences, executive roundtables, client dinners, partner activations and industry engagements.
• Take ownership of event strategy, messaging, budgets, timelines, stakeholder coordination and overall delivery quality.
• Develop executive briefing materials, speaker narratives, presentations, invitations and event communications.
• Work closely with regional business leaders, growth teams, global marketing colleagues and external partners to maximise the impact of marketing initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to turn events into thought leadership, earned media, executive visibility and ongoing industry conversations.
• Proactively anticipate challenges, resolve operational issues and ensure effective execution with minimal supervision.

3. Awards & Industry Recognition (20%)

• Own and manage the regional awards strategy and calendar, identifying relevant opportunities across creative, effectiveness, technology and agency recognition programmes.
• Lead the development of compelling award submissions, working closely with creative, strategy, media and client teams to uncover strong stories and evidence of impact.
• Independently manage the end-to-end awards submission process, including information gathering, narrative development, stakeholder approvals and final delivery.
• Maintain high editorial and strategic standards across all submissions.
• Amplify award wins and industry recognition through media relations, executive communications and external content.

4. Team Leadership & Regional Marketing Operations

• Lead the day-to-day operations of APAC marketing communications, translating regional priorities into clear plans, timelines and deliverables.
• Directly manage, coach and develop the Event Specialist, ensuring effective delegation, accountability and high-quality execution.
• Act as a trusted operational partner to the Marketing VP, independently driving initiatives and providing proactive recommendations.
• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities across APAC markets, maintaining strong organisation, responsiveness and attention to detail.
• Build effective working relationships with senior executives, country leadership, growth teams, global marketing colleagues and external partners.
• Exercise sound judgment in day-to-day decisions, proactively solving problems and escalating strategically important matters when necessary.
• Manage budgets, resources, agencies and external vendors to ensure efficient delivery.
• Establish effective workflows, reporting and project management practices to improve team productivity and operational efficiency.
• Provide concise, solution-oriented updates on progress, opportunities, risks and decisions requiring leadership input.

Requirements

Experience & Expertise

• 7–10+ years of relevant experience in marketing communications, agency PR, corporate communications, trade journalism or integrated marketing.
• Strong preference for experience within an advertising, creative, media, digital or technology agency, or a leading industry publication such as Campaign, The Drum, Adweek or WARC.
• Exceptional English writing, editing and storytelling skills, supported by a strong portfolio of published work.
• Deep understanding of the advertising, marketing, media and technology landscape, with a strong interest in AI and emerging industry developments.
• Proven experience developing executive thought leadership, press releases, industry commentary, case studies and long-form editorial content.
• Established relationships with regional advertising, marketing and technology media.
• Demonstrated experience managing industry events, executive engagements and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Solid experience developing award submissions and compelling case study narratives.
• Experience managing junior team members, agencies or cross-functional project teams, with direct people management experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple complex projects from planning through execution.
• Strong experience working with senior executives and navigating cross-functional, multi-market organisations.
• Mandarin proficiency is an advantage.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first six months, you will have:

• Established ownership of the APAC editorial, communications, events and awards calendars.
• Independently delivered high-quality executive thought leadership, media announcements and industry content.
• Built strong relationships with regional leadership, global teams, media and external partners.
• Successfully managed the Event Specialist and ensured effective delivery of regional marketing events.
• Developed compelling award submissions and strengthened the agency's industry recognition efforts.
• Demonstrated strong judgment, initiative and the ability to manage complex projects with limited supervision.
• Become a trusted operational partner to the regional Marketing VP, enabling greater focus on strategic priorities, executive relationships and business growth.

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