£35,000–£45,000 per year + up to £18,000 OTE
Full-time | Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm | Office based – Braintree, Essex
The School of Photography is a growing online photography education company, providing courses to customers across the UK, Europe, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Asia.
We are looking for an experienced Digital Marketing & Operations Manager to take ownership of both our digital marketing activity and the day-to-day operations that support the growth of the business.
This is a hands-on role for someone who is highly organised, commercially minded and gets things done.
You will work closely with the company founder and our small team, taking responsibility for marketing projects, business processes, priorities and workflows. A large part of our day-to-day operation revolves around marketing, customer acquisition, content and sales, so we need someone who can combine strong digital marketing experience with the organisational and problem-solving skills of an Operations Manager.
We are looking for someone who takes ownership. Someone who can identify what needs doing, prioritise it, solve problems and see projects through to completion without needing to be constantly managed.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Business Operations
- Oversee day-to-day business operations, projects and priorities.
- Ensure important tasks and deadlines are completed.
- Manage and improve processes and workflows across marketing, sales and customer activity.
- Identify problems and inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.
- Use technology, AI and automation to improve productivity.
- Take ownership of projects from initial idea through to implementation and review.
- Monitor business and marketing performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Work closely with the founder to turn business objectives and ideas into action.
Digital Marketing
You will take a lead role in planning, delivering and improving our digital marketing activity, including:
- Email marketing: Campaigns, automated sequences, testing and optimisation.
- Social media: Managing our social strategy and content across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
- Paid advertising: Creating, managing and optimising Meta and Google advertising campaigns.
- Website & SEO: Improving website and landing-page content, SEO, traffic and conversions.
- Content: Creating and promoting photography-related articles, blog posts and marketing content.
- Analytics: Monitoring performance and using data to improve marketing activity and sales.
- Customer communications: Communicating with prospective customers and helping convert enquiries into sales.
- Market research: Monitoring competitors, trends and opportunities for growth.
What We're Looking For
Ideally, you will have:
- 5+ years' professional digital marketing experience.
- B2C marketing experience.
- Experience taking ownership of projects, processes or business operations.
- Strong experience across email marketing, paid advertising, social media, SEO and website optimisation.
- A proven track record of improving traffic, leads, conversions or sales.
- Experience with Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager and Google Ads.
- Excellent copywriting and communication skills.
- Strong organisational and project-management skills.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent IT skills and confidence using AI and automation to improve productivity.
- The ability to make decisions, solve problems and work without constant supervision.
- A good knowledge of photography and a genuine interest in the subject.
A digital marketing qualification would be advantageous, but proven experience and results are more important to us.
The Type of Person We're Looking For
You take ownership.
When something needs doing, you make sure it gets done.
You solve problems.
You don't waste time making excuses. You identify the problem, find a practical solution and move things forward.
You're organised.
You can manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines without things falling through the cracks.
You're efficient.
You're always looking for better systems, smarter processes and ways to save time.
You have common sense.
You have sound judgement, can make sensible decisions and know when something needs attention.
You're commercially minded.
You understand that marketing and operations ultimately need to contribute to sales, customer satisfaction and profitable growth.
You're comfortable with responsibility.
You take initiative, make decisions and don't need to be micromanaged.
You're a team player.
We're a small team, so while everyone has their own responsibilities, we work together when needed.
What We Offer
- £35,000–£45,000 salary depending on experience.
- Up to £18,000 additional OTE.
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
- Company pension.
- Regular staff events.
- Casual dress.
- A small, friendly team.
- Genuine influence over the direction and operation of a growing international online business.
- Financial reward for helping drive the company's growth.
Job Details
Job Type: Full-time, 5 days per week
Location: Braintree, Essex – office based
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm
Salary: £35,000–£45,000 per year depending on experience + up to £18,000 OTE
How to Apply
Please complete the screening questions and include a short cover letter with your application.
In your cover letter, tell us:
If you joined The School of Photography, what is one area of our marketing or day-to-day business operations you would investigate first, and why?
We're not looking for a lengthy proposal. We want to understand how you think, what you notice and how you approach improving a business.
Application deadline 20th August 2026
Pay: £35,000.00-£63,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Do you live within 20 miles of Braintree Essex?
- How many years’ experience do you have working in Digital Marketing?
- How many years experience do you have working with Meta Advertising?
- How many years' experience do you have working with Google Ads?
- How many years’ experience do you have working in Social Media Management?
- How many years’ experience do you have working with email marketing?
- How many years’ experience do you have working with SEO development?
- Does your current strategies make use of AI tools or platforms?
Work Location: In person
