Marketing careers are evolving fast, shaped by new technology, changing audience behaviour and higher expectations from employers and employees alike. By 2026, the most in-demand marketers will be those who can balance creativity, analytical thinking and clear communication.

Drawing on current hiring trends and roles advertised on Flexa, here are the marketing roles job hunters should keep firmly on their radar.

1. Performance Marketing Specialist

What the role involves: Performance Marketing Specialists manage paid acquisition channels such as Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn and emerging platforms. The focus is on testing, optimisation, and measurable ROI.

Why demand is growing: As marketing budgets face more scrutiny, companies want specialists who can clearly link spend to outcomes. Performance marketing continues to be a priority for digital-first businesses.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as 9fin, Cronofy and Impression are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

2. Growth Marketing Manager

What the role involves: Growth marketers focus on experimentation across the full funnel from acquisition, activation, retention and conversion. They often work closely with product, data and engineering teams.

Why demand is growing: Companies want marketers who can move fast, test ideas, and scale what works. Growth marketing blends creativity with analytics and product thinking. It’s a powerful mix for 2026.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as Not On The High Street, Merlin Entertainments and MONY Group are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

3. Content Marketing Manager

What the role involves: Content Marketing Managers lead strategy across blogs, SEO, email, video, social and thought leadership. They shape how a brand shows up across the customer journey.

Why demand is growing
With trust and brand authority playing a bigger role in buying decisions, content remains a long-term growth driver, especially for B2B and SaaS companies.Content marketing has entered a new era, driven by the rise of AI alongside content creators and user-generated content (UGC).

With so many formats, platforms and tools now in play, companies are often unsure how to navigate this evolving landscape. As a result, they need marketers who understand the different elements of modern content — and how to use them effectively to achieve different goals.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as Virgin Media 02, Vodafone and Mondelez are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

4. SEO / Search Specialist

What the role involves
SEO Specialists improve website visibility through keyword research, on-page optimisation, technical SEO and collaboration with content and engineering teams.

Why demand is growing

The role of SEO in marketing has changed significantly over the past year. As search behaviour evolves and AI-driven experiences such as AIEO and GEO continue to rise, there is growing uncertainty around what the future of SEO roles will look like.

While SEO roles are not disappearing, they are evolving. For marketers who want a career that does not stand still, SEO remains one of the most dynamic areas to work in. The focus is no longer simply about ranking at the top of Google. Instead, modern SEO requires a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour and how people discover information across a growing range of search experiences, many of which now sit beyond traditional search engines.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as tms and Tomorrow Group are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

5. Social Media Manager

What the role involves
Social Media Managers own brand presence across platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and emerging channels. This includes content creation, community management and performance tracking.

Why demand is growing
Short-form video, creator partnerships and community-led marketing have become central to how brands build awareness and trust. Social platforms are no longer just distribution channels; they are where audiences discover brands, ask questions and connect with people behind the business.

As algorithms continue to change and new platforms emerge, companies need social specialists who can do more than publish content. They need people who understand how to spark conversation, nurture communities and build meaningful relationships with audiences over time. This focus on community engagement has made social media expertise more valuable than ever, particularly for brands looking to grow visibility, loyalty and long-term advocacy.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as EY, Merlin Entertrainments, Virgin Media 02 and Maersk are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

6. CRM & Email Marketing Manager

What the role involves
CRM and Email Marketing Managers focus on lifecycle marketing by using data and automation to engage, retain and grow existing customers.

Why demand is growing
As acquisition costs continue to rise, companies are placing greater focus on retaining existing customers and increasing customer lifetime value. CRM and lifecycle marketing play a key role in this shift, helping businesses build longer-term relationships through personalised, timely and relevant communication.

With more data available and customer journeys becoming increasingly complex, marketing teams need specialists who can segment audiences, automate journeys and use insight to improve engagement across email, in-app messaging and other owned channels. This has made CRM expertise especially valuable for companies looking to grow sustainably without relying solely on constant new customer acquisition.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as ClearBank, Mars, tombola and TUI Group are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

7. Marketing Data Analyst

What the role involves
Marketing Data Analysts turn performance data into insight, helping teams understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where to invest next.

Why demand is growing
As AI, automation and increasingly complex martech stacks become standard, data-driven decision-making is critical for modern marketing teams. Companies need specialists who can turn large volumes of performance data into clear insights, helping teams understand what is working, where to invest, and how to improve results across channels.

This has increased demand for marketing data analysts who can bridge the gap between raw data and strategic decision-making, supporting smarter, more effective marketing investment.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as Mars, ASOS and Instant Impact are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

8. Product Marketing Manager

What the role involves
Product Marketing Managers define positioning, messaging and go-to-market strategy, working closely with product, sales and leadership teams.

Why demand is growing
As products become more complex and markets more competitive, strong product storytelling has become essential for growth. Companies need product marketers who can clearly communicate value, translate features into customer benefits, and help products stand out in crowded markets.

With closer alignment between product, marketing and sales teams, demand is growing for specialists who can shape positioning, support launches, and ensure products resonate with the right audiences at the right time

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as SAP, Vable and Camunda are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

9. PR & Brand Manager

What the role involves
PR & Brand Managers are responsible for shaping and protecting a company’s reputation. They manage brand positioning, messaging and storytelling across earned media, press, partnerships, and wider communications. This often includes media relations, thought leadership, brand campaigns and internal communications.

Why demand is growing
As trust, transparency and brand values play a bigger role in buying decisions, companies are investing more in how they show up publicly. In an era of constant scrutiny and fast-moving news cycles, strong brand and PR leadership helps organisations build credibility and manage risk.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as Goodlord, Circle and SAP are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.

10. Internal Communications & Employer Brand Manager

What the role involves
Internal Communications & Employer Brand Managers shape how employees experience and talk about work. They own internal messaging, leadership communications, culture campaigns and employee advocacy, while also shaping how the company presents itself to candidates externally.

Why demand is growing
As the world of work continues to evolve, job hunters expect greater transparency around culture, flexibility and values. This has increased demand for specialists who can connect internal culture with external employer branding.

Companies to follow
If you’re interested in roles like this, companies such as Vodafone and Airbus are worth following on Flexa for future opportunities.