Managing Director Designate
We’re looking for a B2B Marketing Manager to join our team in Leeds. This is a senior hands-on role for an experienced B2B marketer who can set up and lead our lead generation activity, take ownership of B2B marketing performance, and build the function properly from the ground up
Key information
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
Work model: Office based, with flexibility by agreement
We’re looking for a Managing Director Designate to join our team in Leeds.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who can run the business day to day, drive operational performance, lead people to higher standards, and take real responsibility for revenue, accountability and execution.
You Platforms is the content marketing group behind Leeds-List, Yorkshire-List and Manchester-List — trusted regional publishing brands with engaged audiences across the North.
We create content-led campaigns, partnerships and commercial opportunities that help brands reach high-intent audiences in more effective ways than traditional media.
This role is for someone with strong commercial and operational instincts who wants more than a standard management position. You’ll be expected to bring structure, pace, accountability and leadership across the business, ensuring people perform well, KPIs are owned properly, and the company runs at a consistently higher level.
It’s a strong fit for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who wants to help shape the next stage of growth. For the right person, there is scope over time for this role to develop into a broader leadership position with long-term upside, including the opportunity to earn a meaningful stake in the business.
What we’re looking for in a Managing Director Designate
Significant experience in operational, commercial or general management leadership
A strong track record of improving business performance through people, process and accountability
Experience leading teams and raising standards across delivery, revenue and execution
Commercial credibility and confidence working closely with a founder or owner
The ability to create structure, clarity and momentum in a growing business
Strong judgement, resilience and a bias toward action
Confidence using KPIs, reporting and management rhythm to drive performance
A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with real ownership mentality
The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership
This role is for an experienced leader, not someone stepping into management for the first time. You should be able to show clear evidence of running teams, improving operational performance and driving accountability for commercial results.
Experience in media, agency, content, digital or other fast-paced service-led businesses would be especially valuable.
This role is best suited to someone ambitious, commercially minded and genuinely motivated by the opportunity to help build a business over the long term.
Why this role is different
This is not a standard operations manager role and it is not a back-office process position. It’s to become the founder’s right hand.
It is a chance to step into a genuine business leadership role inside a growing media and content company where your decisions, standards and leadership will directly influence performance.
If you’ve got the drive to build, lead and improve — and want more autonomy, more responsibility and more long-term upside than a conventional employed role offers — this is designed to be that kind of opportunity.
What you’ll be doing as Managing Director Designate
Running the business day to day alongside the founder
Leading operational performance across teams, functions and workflows
Driving accountability for KPIs, targets and delivery standards
Improving business rhythm, reporting and management visibility
Supporting and challenging team members to raise performance
Creating structure, pace and consistency across the organisation
Working closely with leadership on revenue, resourcing and growth priorities
Identifying operational issues quickly and solving them effectively
Helping shape a high-performance culture built around ownership and results
Taking increasing responsibility for the wider success of the business over time
What to expect in the application process
We want to see evidence that you can lead a business, improve performance and raise accountability in practice — not just talk about leadership in broad terms.
As part of the application process, shortlisted candidates will be expected to demonstrate how they approach team performance, operational discipline, KPI ownership and commercial decision-making.
That may include sharing examples of businesses, teams or functions you’ve improved, explaining how you introduced accountability and performance management, and completing a short practical task or discussion exercise focused on how you would run and strengthen a business like ours.
Apply now
Send your CV and a short note outlining your relevant leadership experience to: jobs@youplatforms.com
Additional information
Generative AI notice: you may use AI, but be mindful that your application might end up exactly the same as everyone else that uses AI. We believe in original content and talent, and that’s what we’re looking for here.
Speculative applications from representatives, recruiters or other third parties that aren’t direct applicants aren’t accepted.
You Platforms does not enter into contract with any party not on our preferred supplier list.