Brand & Marketing Lead

Black Lines is a London-based business producing bottled and on tap cocktails. Over the last 8 years, we have established ourselves as a fast growing and disruptive player in the drinks industry with a strong, dedicated team of 20 that spans Production, Operations, Finance, Marketing & Sales. We manufacture everything in-house in our factory in Tottenham, London with an approach that focuses on quality and innovation.As a result, we have partnered with a number of top venues and retailers across the UK, including Selfridges, Whole Foods Market, The Standard Hotel, Wembley Stadium, Nobu, Megan’s Restaurants and more.ObjectivesBlack Lines is seeking a dynamic, creative, and strategic Brand & Marketing Lead to take ownership of our brand and marketing function. This is a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business: developing and executing campaigns that maximise reach, build community, and deliver cultural impact.This role blends big-picture brand strategy with hands-on execution - from planning campaigns and managing activations and PR to leading social media and engaging directly with our community. You’ll be both the guardian of our brand and the driver of day-to-day activity.Success will centre on being creative, aggressive and driven to find efficient and effective solutions: big picture thinking, a laser focus on results and learning and a clear competitive approach all crucial, alongside being strategic, open-minded and motivating. A determined and ambitious team player that celebrates wins, seeks out improvement and is excited to grow.Working closely with one of the Co-Founders, you’ll have the opportunity to shape and grow the brand while managing a creative designer and collaborating with external partners.Roles/Responsibilities - Role-SpecificBrand StrategyDevelop and deliver Black Lines’ annual brand/marketing strategy, aligned with business goals and budgets.Own campaign planning and execution across all channels (digital, PR, events, activations, partnerships).Create and deliver product launch strategy and feed into wider NPD approach.Act as brand guardian - ensuring tone of voice, design, and creative output consistently reflect our identity.Manage budgets, track ROI, and deliver regular performance reports to leadership.Content, Social & CommunityLead social media strategy, content planning, and posting across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and emerging channels.Write engaging copy across all digital channels (social posts, email, website, partnerships).Respond to community interactions - comments, DMs, and enquiries - with warmth, personality, and consistency.Manage influencer/creator partnerships and brand collaborations to extend reach.Work closely with the Creative Designer to produce high-quality visuals, video, and campaign assets.PR & PartnershipsOwn PR strategy and execution (directly and via external agency).Build and maintain relationships with press, media, and industry partners.Lead outreach and negotiation for brand collaborations and partnerships.Create and cultivate brand-related and personal relationships with relevant industry contacts.Events & ActivationsPlan and execute event activations, brand experiences from conception to delivery.Build and deliver in-venue marketing plan to maximise impressions (POS, menus, brand collateral).Coordinate logistics, creative assets, and operational delivery with internal teams and external partners.Manage and mentor the Creative Designer alongside other potential direct reports in the future.Support skill development and growth, setting personal development plans, objectives and performing reviews.Brief and oversee external freelancers/agencies and foster a proactive, creative, and collaborative team culture.Target Setting & TrackingSet time-relevant targets for brand and marketing channels to be tracked against regularly.Deliver reports across all key metrics to senior management and key stakeholders.Skills & ExperienceRequired5+ years’ experience in brand, marketing, or communications (lifestyle, FMCG, or hospitality/spirits a bonus).Proven track record of developing and delivering multi-channel campaigns.Hands-on experience running social media channels and engaging communities.Strong copywriting skills with an instinct for brand tone of voice.Experience working with PR (directly or via agency).Event/activation planning and delivery.Budget management and performance reporting.Leadership or team management experience (junior staff, freelancers, or agencies).Drinks industry or hospitality sector knowledge/experience running bar activations.Experience running bar/drinks-led operations.Existing relationships with press, influencers, or industry partners.Comfort with design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma) to support quick-turn content.Success in this Role Looks LikeIncreased brand awareness across target audiences.Growth in social reach, engagement, and community size.Consistent, high-quality brand campaigns that cut through.Strong, measurable PR coverage and effective collaborations.Impactful event activations and in-venue presence.A motivated, growing creative team working with clarity and purpose.25 days paid holiday (+ bank/public holidays).Commitment to continual training and development in relevant areas.6 bottles per month free allowance for all team members.Cycle to Work scheme.Regular team socials. #J-18808-Ljbffr