SVP of Marketing

Overview

A leadership role combining marketing strategy and operational excellence at one of America's largest retailers. This role transcends traditional marketing leadership, requiring a strategic operator who can drive business growth through data-driven marketing initiatives and operational efficiency.

The SVP of Marketing will build and lead the development of the company’s cross-channel marketing strategy focused on driving business growth using data-driven decisions and operational efficiency. This role requires a blend of marketing expertise and operational expertise to enhance customer experience and optimize marketing efforts. Reporting directly to the Executive VP, this role requires a unique blend of marketing acumen and operational expertise.

Ideal Candidate

A strategic data-driven leader with expertise in operations and marketing. This person thrives in a fast-paced environment, drives organizational change, and effectively communicates complex ideas. The SVP will bridge operations, technology and marketing to create a unified strategy that drives business growth and enhances the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

1. Lead the development and execution of a marketing strategy across multiple channels, using operational and customer data insights.
2. Collaborate with various business units to align marketing initiatives with operational capabilities.
3. Champion data-driven decision-making and ensure marketing strategies are supported by analytics.
4. Manage the P&L to maximize marketing spend and operational efficiency.
5. Drive marketing strategy coordination with shared resources, such as the call center and outbound sales team members, to ensure cohesive customer communication.
6. Build internal incentives around marketing strategies in collaboration with business owners and shared service managers to further support implemented strategies.

Customer Experience & Data Analytics

1. Leverage operational data to improve customer journeys and personalize marketing efforts.
2. Implement data analytics framework and metrics to track marketing performance and optimize customer acquisition.
3. In partnership with Digital Products and IT, lead digital transformation efforts to integrate marketing with technology and operations for a seamless customer experience.
4. Build comprehensive customer journey maps integrating operational touchpoints with marketing initiatives.
5. Design and execute personalization strategies based on data and operational insights.

Operational Excellence

1. Drive improvements in marketing effectiveness using operational data.
2. Lead testing, tracking, and adjustments to marketing initiatives and strategies to improve results and partner with internal business analytics teams to compile actionable results.
3. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to drive end-to-end marketing implementation for optimal customer experience.

Channel Management

1. Develop and grow all channels of marketing, from email, paid media, social, and other channels.
2. Develop and grow a direct mail strategy that fits the needs of the company's business units, while optimizing cost and effectiveness.
3. Refine production and print strategies to focus on appropriate spend per direct mail effort and to allow for flexibility for a rapid test and learn environment within print.
4. Balance paid vs. non-paid marketing initiatives to lower the overall cost of customer acquisition for the company.
5. Ensure continuous improvement and performance reporting across all channels.

Technology and Innovation

1. Develop a path to transition appropriate channel strategies to technology platforms that automate the actions to allow team members to focus on strategy rather than execution.
2. Partner with tech teams to implement platforms that develop personalized and automated customer experiences that nurture the customer lifecycle and increase CLTV.
3. Lead digital transformation initiatives that bridge marketing, operations, and IT, driving automation and efficiency in marketing efforts.
4. Promote the buildout and continued reliance on flexible marketing technology platforms that empower a rapid test and learn environment for marketing strategy evolution.

Team Leadership and Development

1. Build and lead a high-performing marketing team.
2. Invest in team members’ growth, ensuring strong communication and collaboration across departments.
3. Provide guidance around vision and strategy and foster a positive team culture.

Requirements

Education : Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Marketing/Operations/Technology required. MBA preferred with a focus on operations/technology.

Experience : 10+ years of experience in marketing, operations, technology, and marketing leadership; experience in VP/SVP roles. Proven track record of P&L ownership.

Skills : Strong leadership and communication abilities, data-driven decision making, and experience in cross-functional team management.

Expertise : Background in CRM, digital marketing, digital transformation, IT systems data analytics, and operational efficiency.

Travel : Requires travel at times with short notice.

Location : Chicago – Hybrid Schedule (3 days a week in the office).