Lead Generation & Marketing Support Virtual Assistant

This is a remote position.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented Lead Generation & Marketing Support Virtual Assistant to support the business expansion and marketing initiatives of our organization.

The company operates in multiple business sectors, including Marine Services, Lubricant Supply & Export, and Computers & Laptops, with its primary operations based in the UAE.

The successful candidate will initially focus on understanding the company's services, products, business operations, and target markets before gradually implementing lead generation and marketing strategies.

The primary objective is to increase brand visibility, identify qualified business prospects, establish connections with potential clients, and generate business opportunities through targeted outreach, email marketing, social media, and other digital marketing initiatives.

The recruitment and shortlisting process for this position will take place simultaneously with the Web Developer recruitment.

While the website is being developed, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the company's business operations, review the available business information and marketing materials, and conduct preliminary market research in preparation for the marketing activities.

The actual implementation of the marketing and lead generation activities is targeted to begin in January, following the completion of the website development project.

The engagement is intended to become a long-term working partnership, with flexibility to adjust working hours and responsibilities depending on business requirements and performance.

Scope of Work:

1. Lead Generation & Market Research

• Research and identify potential B2B clients, companies, distributors, and business partners based on the company's target markets.
• Build and maintain a database of qualified prospects with company names, websites, locations, contact persons, job titles, and verified business email addresses.
• Research mining companies, mining contractors, industrial operators, lubricant distributors, and relevant procurement departments across targeted African countries.
• Identify shipping companies, shipyards, vessel operators, marine contractors, and other relevant businesses across the UAE and GCC markets.
• Research potential markets in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand, for lubricant supply opportunities.
• Identify decision-makers such as procurement managers, purchasing officers, operations managers, fleet managers, and business owners.
• Monitor market developments, competitors, and potential business opportunities.
• Organize prospects according to industry, country, business type, and priority.

2. B2B Email Marketing & Outreach

• Develop and execute targeted email marketing campaigns for different business segments.
• Draft professional and personalized B2B introduction emails and follow-up messages.
• Introduce the company's services, products, capabilities, and value propositions to potential clients.
• Manage and maintain prospect email databases.
• Schedule and monitor email campaigns using email marketing platforms.
• Track campaign performance, including delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, replies, and inquiries.
• Conduct follow-ups with interested prospects and coordinate qualified inquiries with the management team.
• Maintain proper records of all outreach activities and responses.

3. Social Media Marketing Support

• Assist in developing and implementing social media marketing strategies.
• Manage and maintain the company's social media pages, particularly LinkedIn and other relevant platforms.
• Create and schedule engaging content highlighting company services, products, projects, capabilities, and business updates.
• Develop content around marine services, lubricant products, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and available product packaging.
• Repurpose client-provided photos and videos into engaging social media content.
• Create basic graphics, promotional materials, and short-form videos.
• Research relevant industry hashtags, topics, and trends.
• Monitor engagement, comments, and inquiries, and prepare regular performance reports.

4. Marketing Strategy & SEO Support

• Assist in developing marketing strategies aligned with the company's business expansion goals.
• Conduct basic keyword and competitor research.
• Coordinate with the web developer to ensure website content supports SEO and marketing objectives.
• Suggest improvements to website content, service descriptions, landing pages, and calls to action.
• Identify opportunities to increase brand visibility and attract relevant business inquiries through digital channels.

5. Reporting & Administrative Support

• Maintain organized lead generation and marketing databases.
• Prepare weekly activity reports and monthly performance summaries.
• Track leads generated, emails sent, responses received, follow-ups, and qualified inquiries.
• Coordinate with the management team for marketing materials, business information, approvals, and campaign requirements.
• Provide recommendations for improving outreach and marketing performance.

6. Initial Business Familiarization & Preparation

During the website development phase, the selected VA will initially focus on preparing for the upcoming marketing activities.

Responsibilities may include:

• Familiarizing themselves with the company's three main business segments.
• Reviewing company profiles, existing websites, service descriptions, product information, and available marketing materials.
• Understanding the company's business objectives, target markets, and preferred customer profiles.
• Conducting preliminary research on potential clients, competitors, distributors, and industry opportunities.
• Preparing initial lead generation databases and identifying potential target companies.
• Coordinating with the Web Developer to understand the website content and business information being consolidated.
• Preparing draft email introductions, marketing content, and outreach strategies for management review.
• Recommending the tools and platforms required for the planned marketing activities.

Full implementation of lead generation, email marketing, and social media management will commence according to the agreed schedule following the website development phase.

Qualifications:

• At least 1–3 years of experience in B2B lead generation, digital marketing, email marketing, or marketing support.
• Experience with international B2B markets and business-to-business prospecting is highly preferred.
• Strong research skills and the ability to identify relevant companies and decision-makers.
• Excellent written English and professional business communication skills.
• Experience creating personalized cold emails and B2B outreach campaigns.
• Knowledge of LinkedIn prospecting and social media management.
• Basic graphic design and short-form video editing skills.
• Familiarity with SEO fundamentals, keyword research, and website content optimization.
• Proficiency in organizing databases, tracking leads, and preparing reports.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and meet agreed targets.
• Proactive mindset, analytical thinking, and willingness to learn different business industries.
• Experience working with international clients, particularly in the UAE, GCC, Africa, or Southeast Asia, is an advantage.

Preferred Industry Knowledge:

• Marine services, shipping, ship maintenance, and maritime operations.
• Lubricant products, industrial oils, and lubricant distribution.
• Mining, industrial supply, and export/import operations.
• B2B trading and international business development.

Tools Required (To be finalized based on the candidate's recommendations):

Lead Generation & Research:

- LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, Apollo.io, Google Search, Google Maps, company directories.

Email Marketing:

- Mailchimp, Brevo, or equivalent platforms.

Email Verification:

- NeverBounce, ZeroBounce, or equivalent.

CRM & Lead Management:

- HubSpot CRM, Zoho CRM, or Google Sheets.

Social Media Management:

- LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Meta Business Suite, and Buffer.

Graphic Design:

- Canva.

Video Editing:

- CapCut or equivalent.

SEO & Analytics:

- Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, Google Keyword Planner, and Ubersuggest.

Communication & Collaboration:

- Gmail, Google Workspace, WhatsApp, and Google Meet.

Important: The candidate should recommend the tools and subscriptions necessary for the role, including:

• Purpose and intended use of each tool.
• Estimated subscription costs.
• Recommended subscription duration (one month, three months, or annually, as applicable).
• Whether a free or paid version would be sufficient for the initial engagement.

The client will provide or purchase the required accounts and subscriptions. All company-related accounts, databases, marketing assets, and business information must remain under the client's ownership.

Shifts & Hours:

• Initial engagement: Part-time.
• Proposed starting schedule: Minimum of 20 hours per week, preferably four hours per day, Monday to Friday.
• Working hours and schedule will be agreed upon with the UAE-based management team.
• The initial engagement is proposed for 30 days, allowing both parties to assess performance, workload, and business requirements.
• The contract may be extended for another two months, subject to mutual agreement and satisfactory performance.
• Following the initial engagement, working hours may be adjusted depending on business requirements. For example, the client may consider reducing the schedule to approximately 10 hours per week for ongoing marketing and lead generation support.
• There is potential to transition into a longer-term or full-time arrangement as the business expands.
• Must be available for scheduled meetings and regular progress updates during mutually agreed working hours.

Target Start Date : Recruitment and candidate shortlisting to take place simultaneously with the Web Developer recruitment. Initial familiarization and preparation may begin before the official marketing implementation in January.

The final hourly rate will depend on:

• The candidate's overall experience and technical capabilities.
• The combination of responsibilities assigned.
• Whether the role covers lead generation only or includes email marketing, social media management, and additional marketing activities.
• The level of creativity, independence, and strategic input required.

The client may initially engage the VA for selected responsibilities and expand the scope as the business requirements develop.

Lead Generation & Marketing Support VA – Requirements for Submission:

1. Updated CV / Resume

- Relevant experience in B2B lead generation, email marketing, and social media management.

2. Portfolio / Work Samples

• Sample lead generation database.
• Email marketing or cold outreach samples.
• Social media content or marketing materials.
• Examples of previous marketing campaigns, if available.

3. Marketing & Lead Generation Strategy Proposal

Based on the client's business and target markets, please provide recommendations on:

• How would you identify potential clients and decision-makers for each business segment?
• What lead generation strategies would you recommend for Marine Services (UAE/GCC) and Lubricant Export (Africa and Southeast Asia)?
• How would you approach B2B email marketing and LinkedIn outreach?
• What social media platforms and content strategies would you prioritize?
• What tools would you use for lead generation, email marketing, CRM, and social media management?
• How would you measure and report marketing performance?

4. Proposed 90-Day Action Plan

Please provide a proposed action plan covering the following phases:

- Initial 30 Days – Business Familiarization & Research

• Understand the company's business operations, products, and services.
• Review existing and upcoming website content.
• Conduct preliminary market research.
• Identify potential target companies and business opportunities.
• Prepare initial lead databases and marketing strategies.

- Days 31–60 – Lead Generation & Marketing Implementation

• Begin targeted lead generation activities.
• Implement B2B email marketing and outreach campaigns.
• Start social media content creation and management.
• Monitor campaign performance and engagement.

- Days 61–90 – Campaign Optimization & Performance Review

• Improve outreach strategies based on initial results.
• Expand prospect databases and target markets.
• Optimize email campaigns and social media content.
• Submit performance reports and recommendations for the next phase.

5. Initial Contract & Availability

• Confirm availability to work a minimum of 20 hours per week initially.
• Provide preferred working schedule and time zone.
• Confirm willingness to begin with an initial 30-day engagement.
• Confirm willingness to extend the contract for another two months, subject to mutual agreement.
• Indicate flexibility to adjust working hours, including a possible reduction to 10 hours per week for ongoing support.
• Confirm availability for simultaneous coordination with the Web Developer during the website development phase.