Introduction:

Marie Stopes International Organisation Nigeria (MSION) is a result-oriented Social Business, which uses modern management and marketing techniques to provide reproductive health care and allied services.

MSION’s goal is to meet the needs of underserved Nigerians by improving access and use of a range of reproductive health services.

MSION is part of Marie Stopes International’s Global Partnership which is in over 37 countries worldwide.

The role

The Director of Social Marketing (DSM) will oversee and lead the Social Marketing operations of MSION (social marketing of products) to a sustainable financial position.

This role will be pivotal to achieving a sustainable future of MSION, enabling it to continue its mandate of delivering services for the social benefit of the population and particular the women of Nigeria.

The DSM will be required to ensure that the network of MSION socially marketed product sales channel develop into thriving businesses, providing exceptional quality and value for their customers and generating enough revenue to cover their costs and make a positive contribution to the overall financial health of MSION. The DSM will add value to MSION growth activities by identifying new commercial opportunities and coordinating and managing all marketing efforts; keeping abreast of trends and market conditions to provide strategic advice to Management and the Board.

The role holder is expected to have an entrepreneurial mindset, private sector sales or health management experience and great leadership skills. The ideal candidate will also be a creative strategist with excellent organisational abilities. 

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the DSM will include:

1. Develop and grow the existing health product social marketing business into a viable sales channel that increases access for its customers to quality reproductive health care products, generates needed cashflow and makes a positive contribution to the social business of MSION
2.  
3. Oversee the external marketing communications of MSION, ensuring a common marketing strategy and consistent messaging and brand for clients interacting with MSION across the different service delivery and sales channels
4. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Social Marketing Business; Build the right leadership team that will grow the business, strengthen and ensure its sustainability
5. Develop, in collaboration with the Country Director, an annual operating plan that supports the Company’s long term business  strategy.
6. Develop and oversee the long-term business strategies,  overseeing the achievement and maintenance of a satisfactory competitive position within the industry.
7. Ensure proper and effective business system alignment with the department strategic focus, including the right leadership competence.
8. Foster a corporate culture that is commercial business focused and promotes ethical practices, customer focus and service and encourages individual integrity; maintain a positive and ethical work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining and motivating a diverse group of top-quality employees at all levels.
9. Keep the Country Director fully informed in a timely and candid manner of the conduct of the day-to-day operations of the business towards the achievement of its established goals and of all material deviations from the goals or objectives and policies established by MSION.
10. Take the lead and facilitate good team communication, prompt reporting and resolution of business issues,  and facilitate result driven  project development.
11. Assess and manage the principal risks of the Social Marketing business with its operations (proposals, projects and staffing);
12. Work closely with the HR department to establish an appropriate organizational structure; develop the right hiring practices, payroll, benefit and incentives system to drive productivity and maintain team members motivation.

Lead all Commercial activities

• Accelerate growth in MSION commercial operations through developing and implementing efficient and effective sales and marketing strategies in line  with MSION goals and objectives.
• Conduct routine market research and analysis and findings to create business plans on commercial opportunities (expansion, business development, etc.).
• Understand the requirements of existing customers to ensure that their needs are being met and creatively manage their expectations to surpass set records.
• Act to acquire new customers and manage client relationships profitably.
• Collaborate with and coordinate diverse teams (marketing, sales, customer service etc.)
• Build and maintain profitable partnerships with key stakeholders – market, government, and institutions.
• Monitor productivity and performance of the Social Marketing team activities against key metrics and prepare reports for the Senior Management Team.
• Set Social Marketing financial targets and budget and monitor productivity and achievement of set targets.

Sales and Marketing of Pharmaceutical/FP/SRH Products

• Develop a clear and effective sales and marketing strategy for all commercial channels.
• Re-evaluate the current social marketing bouquet of products to decide on range of SRHR products that will generate surplus and achieve MSION strategic business goals, through an effective market research and in-line with the core value of MSION and its strategic direction
• Work with relevant stakeholders to design and build the required teams for all channels under the commercial operations unit of MSION

Development of an Integrated Marketing Strategy/Plan and Manage its implementation

• Develop and implement an annual marketing plan in consultation with the Country Director.

• Ensure the effective delivery of each marketing plan for all MSION service delivery channels especially the Social Marketing with clear activities/action plan for each channel.
• Where applicable, coordinate with the Programmes, Operations and Research, Measurement and Evaluation (RME) departments to ensure that activities are in line with funders’ expectation, informed by evidence and field-based promotions are planned to support product/marketing plans
• Assess and identify the needs in the areas of information, education and communication within the framework of National IEC strategy and arrange advertising and promotion tasks through media or other appropriate means, with due collaboration with all relevant units
• Lead all sales and related business partnerships with partners, corporate establishment and institutional clients
• Work with the different regulatory agencies to approve new products growth.

Business Planning

·       Analyses available resources, funding pipelines and gaps, and supports bids for the Social Marketing Team funding.

·       Work with the Senior team and departments to develop an efficient and effective annual business plan for the Social Marketing Team.

·       Lead the social marketing to deliver a comprehensive country marketing strategy and plan to build the brand of choice by using robust audience data, competitor analysis and other market data.

Lead impact assessment of target marketing promotion, campaign and advertising

• Lead impact assessment on all target marketing promotion campaigns (including the planning of advertising, media, population segment and clinic-based promotions) impact assessment, competitive analysis, consumer behaviour analysis and new product development.
• Promote and engage private and public insurance agencies as well as corporate clients for the center business.
• Work with advertising firms, professional groups and stakeholders and vendors to develop and finalize all advertising and communication campaigns and materials.

Team Management

• Lead the sales and distribution team to surplus generating entity with expanded assess nationwide.
• Work with the Human Resource Team to recruit, lead and inspire the team (direct and indirect reports) to deliver excellent product sales and marketing.

Personal Attributes

We recruit talented, dynamic people (irrespective of Gender) with diverse backgrounds and experiences, all united by a belief in our mission and a focus on delivering measurable results. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a fully inclusive workplace, where everyone feels able to participate and contribute meaningfully. You must be open-minded, curious, resilient, and solutions-oriented, and be committed to promoting equality, and safeguarding the welfare of team members and clients alike.

Women are strongly advised to apply for all our roles.

For this role, we’re looking for an individual who is:

·       High levels of self-awareness; they will actively seek out feedback on their performance (both results and behaviours) with a view to continuously learning and growing as a leader.  They will demonstrate high levels of accountability and resilience and communicate effectively both internally and externally

·       Energy and passion for purpose

·       Focus and drive and ability to stay on track

·       A commercial mindset, whereby they understand the levers for profitability for success within their marketplace

·       Focus on the big picture, while understanding the detail

·       strong networking skills

·       Flexible and adaptable

·       Culturally aware

·       Courageous, willing to take risks

·       A compelling and influential communicator

·       Action and results orientated.

Our Values as One MSI

Mission Driven: With unwavering commitment, we exist to empower women and men to have children by choice not chance.

Client Centred: We are dedicated to our clients and work tirelessly to deliver high-quality, high-impact services that meet their individual needs.

Accountable: We are accountable for our actions and focus on results, ensuring long term sustainability and increasing the impact of the Partnership.

Courageous: We recruit and nurture talented, passionate, and brave people who have the courage to push boundaries, make tough decisions and challenge others in line with our mission.

Resilient: In challenging situations, we work together and support each other, adapting and learning to find solutions, whatever we’re up against.  

Inclusive: We believe that diversity is a strength. We all play our part in creating a culture where every team member can thrive, feel valued and contribute meaningfully to our mission, and where all our clients feel welcome and supported. 

Key Experience

• Proven experience as a Commercial Director or holder of other related roles
• Proven experience in sales and/or marketing and managing relationships with key corporate and institutional clients
• Experience/Knowledge of Product sales and marketing and corporate administration will be essential.
• In-depth understanding of market research methods and analysis as well as integrated marketing strategy development
• Knowledge of performance reporting and financial/budgeting processes
• High level of commercial awareness with a strategic mindset
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
• Masters/BSc degree in Social Sciences, Marketing or Business Management
• Excellent problem solving/analytical skills
• Experience in the usage of computers and computing software packages
• Willingness to travel 50% within the country and beyond, as may be required         

Formal Education/qualification

·       Educated to degree level.

• Senior level experience (not less than 8 years) in Sales, Marketing/Marketing Communications in Medical oriented business or FMCG company is required.

·       Relevant post-graduate qualification e.g. MBA, MSc, MA (desirable).

Key Skills

To perform this role, it is essential that you have the following skills:

·       Extensive management of senior teams and people skills, able to authentically lead, motivate, and develop a team to enhance individual, team and organisational current and future performance

·       Demonstrable ability to manage a multi-functional team, preferably in an operational and/or service delivery context, understanding the contribution and encouraging the effective participation of each department

·       Understanding of commercial and financial management needs and principles – sales, marketing, pricing, margin, supply, forecasting and distribution - as required to lead MSION’s social marketing and clinic teams.

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills, with ability to adapt and tailor messages depending on the audience

·       Ability to position an organisation, building on its strengths, understanding its weaknesses, to capitalise on opportunities and build a good strategy; ability to work both at strategic and operational levels

·       Ability to work with the Senior Management Team and major External Stakeholders and Partners.