NAME: Jemma Starzecki
INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @jem_starz
JOB TITLE: Senior Vice President of Marketing (Properties), Al Ghurair Investment
MOVED TO THE UAE IN: 2022
Jemma is an award-winning marketing leader with experience spanning over 17 years in fast-paced environments driving innovative strategies and marketing campaigns across diverse industries including telecommunications, retail, gaming and real estate.
With a proven track record of leading high-performing teams in some of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates’ most reputable brands, Jemma has developed and managed Through The Line (TTL) marketing campaigns and translated complex insights into actionable strategies that resonate with target audiences.
Jemma joined Al Ghurair Investment in October 2022 as the Senior Vice President of Marketing (Properties), a role as part of which she oversees 6 business units within the existing Al Ghurair Properties portfolio. In her role she is responsible for overseeing the marketing organisational structure, developing and managing the marketing strategy across the 360-marketing mix, and leading the in-house marketing team to execute transformative strategies.
She has successfully launched the largest and most successful TTL marketing campaign that Al Ghurair Properties has done to date for the brand-new leisure and entertainment centre, GLITCH. Jemma has also led the marketing strategy and campaign delivery for the launch of Al Ghurair Centre’s latest food hall concept, Flayva.
Let's discover a day in Jemma's world:
8AM: By this time, I’m usually settled in at the office with a nice hot coffee in hand. I’m a morning person when it comes to work. I relish the peace and quiet that the early hours offer, allowing me to set myself up for the day. I start by reviewing my calendar and identifying any key priorities for the week. These morning hours are my golden time—often, I find that I produce my best work before 10:00 AM, especially when I need to craft a strategy.
10:00 AM: This is usually the time for a team meeting with my ever-growing marketing team, now 14 strong. Since we handle 360-degree marketing for several business units, this session is crucial for me to understand where the team stands on various projects and, more importantly, to provide any key business updates. I truly value this time with my team—not just to discuss work but also to check in on how they’re doing personally.
1:00 PM: Lunchtime. After a busy morning, I find nothing better than to sit down and enjoy my meal with a good book. I’m an avid reader, especially when it comes to books about the mind and body. My all-time favorite, which I find myself returning to again and again, is Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King. Reading during lunch helps me reset and recharge for the afternoon ahead.
2:00PM: Afternoons are mostly spent catching up on emails and reviewing communications and creative work with my team. I also like to carve out some time to research other companies and campaigns online, looking for inspiration for the coming months. I’m always thinking about the next big thing, and I find afternoons are perfect for brainstorming and generating new ideas.
5:00 PM: I spend this time checking my diary for the following day, reviewing upcoming meetings, and writing my to-do list. I like to be well-prepared for the day ahead, so this time is essential for ensuring everything is in order.
7:00 PM: This is the time I spend putting my son to bed. We go through the bedtime routine—getting him bathed and then snuggling under the covers, which is our favorite part. He tells me all about his exciting day at school and the new things he’s learned. We often read a book before he falls asleep, and now, he’s the one reading to me. As a working mum, this is the most precious time of my day, and I cherish every second.
8:00 PM: This is usually dinner time for me. I’m not much of a cook, but thankfully, my husband is. We spend this time together, catching up on our day and relaxing, often finding a binge-worthy show to enjoy together.
10:00 PM: It’s bedtime for me. I like to be in bed no later than 10:00 PM during the week. I need a good night’s rest to ensure I have a productive week at work, and it helps keep me in the best mental state. My bedtime routine always includes a thorough skincare regimen. I’ve been obsessed with skincare since my university days when I worked part-time at Clinique. For me, it’s all about prevention, not cure! My husband often laughs at all the creams and “potions,” as he calls them.
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