Jess Ingham is a digital content director at integrated communications agency BIG Partnership.
She joined in 2025 with over 12 years of expertise in content and digital marketing working at major agencies across the region, such as McCann Manchester.
READ MORE: The BIG Breakfast returns to Manchester with focus on trust in modern marketing
Here, she shares how she first entered agency land, her biggest inspirations, and words of savvy advice for others looking to follow a similar career path.
How did you first get into your industry?
By accident. I chose a marketing-related course at uni but, if I’m being honest, it wasn’t because I was passionate about marketing. It was because the course offered a year abroad – not exactly a carefully mapped-out career move. I was just a teenager who wanted to have fun.
I left university thinking “marketing” was the job. I’d never even heard of SEO. I applied for over a hundred entry-level roles in London and didn’t get a single one, so I ended up back at my parents’ house in North Wales. Handily, Moneysupermarket’s head office is in the village I’m from and, conveniently for me, less so for them, Google had just released the Penguin update. They needed entry-level support to make large-scale changes to the site. I took a one-month contract just to earn some money and, without realising it, that’s what started my career in SEO.
What do you love about your job?
The problem solving. I’ve always loved getting stuck into a new challenge, digging into the data and the wider context to design a solution. With content especially, there isn’t always a clear right or wrong answer. There are usually multiple ways to tackle a task, and I love the creative freedom that comes with that.
Who – or what – has inspired you in your career?
I’m a sucker for strong leadership. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some brilliant people who lead with honesty, empathy and genuine integrity. I realised early on that I do my best work with leaders who are open and willing to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable. Seeing that in action pushes me to hold myself to the same standard.
Without going down a political rabbit hole, I do think it’s worrying that we’re slipping back in some areas as an industry, particularly around DE&I. The people who stick to their values and keep pushing for meaningful progress are the ones I admire most.
What are the biggest challenges about your job?
LinkedIn making me feel inadequate.
There’s been a huge change in the search landscape over the last couple of years, and LinkedIn is a double-edged sword for me when it comes to shaping that conversation. It’s an incredible source of information and thought leadership when navigating change, but it’s also a platform built to make you feel like you’re not doing enough. I get it. It’s a sales platform like any other, and rage bait drives engagement. But god, it’s exhausting.
What skills have been the most crucial to you succeeding in your career so far?
Empathy and communication. I find most situations are improved when you bring these to the table.
What was your first salary and what could someone getting into the industry expect to earn nowadays?
My first permanent full-time role, in 2014, paid £18k (which was decent at the time).
For those just starting out, I’d hope we’re now at least aligning with the National Living Wage as a starting point. I think that’s around £24k in Manchester for a 37.5-hour week. Although I do genuinely feel for those starting out in the city centre now, as the cost of living has skyrocketed.
What education or training would be most useful for someone looking to follow your career path?
Honestly, I don’t think it matters as much as people think. I did a marketing-related degree and left without knowing SEO even existed, so a relevant degree definitely isn’t essential. So many skills are transferable.
If you do want to go to university and know you’re interested in marketing long term, study something you’re genuinely good at. If you’re great with languages, do Spanish. Multilingual marketers are always in demand. If you love writing, study English. Strong written skills are a huge asset in any marketing role. If you’re analytical, do maths or finance. Understanding data and commercial impact is critical in this industry.
Some of the best people I’ve worked with didn’t go to uni at all. They entered the industry at 17 or 18 through apprenticeships and were miles ahead by the time others graduated.
Given the cost of higher education now, it’s not necessarily the best route.
What advice would you have for someone looking to follow your path?
Work hard, be respectful and learn how to advocate for yourself and others early on.
Also, keep an eye out for the quietest person in the meeting, they’re often the one with the most interesting thing to say.
