Head of Marketing & Communications

8 September 2025

Karen Walker is looking for a Head of Marketing & Communications for a 12-month fixed-term cover. This is a rare opportunity to lead the brand’s marketing and communications, overseeing every channel and touchpoint that engages our global community. From shaping strategy to producing seasonal shoots, to Playpark retail partnerships, collaborations, events, and brand activations, this role sits at the heart of everything we do to bring the Karen Walker world to life.

Key Responsibilities

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Strategy & Planning – Develop weekly and seasonal marketing plans, manage budgets, team workflow, and external partners.
• Brand & PR – Press office and main contact for PR opportunities. Build media relationships and identify new opportunities for brand growth.
• Written Communications – Write and edit brand copy for collections, collaborations, products, press releases and key documents.
• Campaigns & Asset Creation – Lead seasonal campaigns from concept through rollout. Manage campaign and monthly photoshoots, including creative direction and production.
• Retail Marketing & Windows – Deliver retail marketing initiatives that support brand campaigns. Plan windows and in-store activations.
• Playpark Marketing – Manage collaborative campaigns, promotions, and retail opportunities.
• Events & Special Projects – Lead events and special projects including fashion week, shows, and charity initiatives.
• Social Media – Guide social media strategy and oversee content across platforms.
• EDM – Work with the Digital Marketing Manager to plan and deliver email campaigns.
• Advertising – Plan, brief, and approve advertising across digital and traditional channels.
• Graphic Design – Oversee creative output across campaigns, digital, retail, and brand assets.
• E-commerce – Manage marketing aspects of the e-commerce channel.
• Innovation & Growth – Explore new platforms, tools, and technologies to keep the brand evolving and future-focused.

Direct Reports

• Digital Marketing Manager
• Marketing/Graphic Designer
• Marketing Coordinator
  
  

The Ideal Candidate

You will bring both imagination and precision to the role. With senior experience in marketing and communications (ideally in fashion, retail, or lifestyle), you thrive on balancing strategy with creativity to make ideas happen. Highly organised and proactive, you’re confident leading a team while keeping projects moving at pace.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Lead with clarity and energy, guiding both internal teams and external partners.
• Plan strategically while collaborating across teams to deliver projects smoothly and effectively.
• Shape campaigns from concept to rollout.
• Write sharp, engaging copy across everything from product notes to campaign storytelling.
• Move confidently across PR, campaigns, e-commerce, EDM, digital marketing, events, social, and retail marketing.
• Spot opportunities to grow the brand and bring them to life in fresh and exciting ways.

This is a full-time, ~12-month role based in Grey Lynn, Auckland. While the planned start date is 3 November 2025, we can be flexible for the successful applicant.

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and CV via the link below. We appreciate all applicants' interest; however, due to the high volume of applications only those selected for an interview will be contacted.