Brand Activation & Engagement Manager

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Job Summary

Under general direction, the Manager, Brand Activation & Engagement ensures success of B2B marketing strategies, programs and initiatives that contribute to sales growth objectives.  This role leads a team that builds and maintains a calendar of brand activities, analyzes previous campaigns’ success and educates customers through brand-driven activations.  This leader will set clear goals and defines the strategy to reach goals, leverages key learning/KPIs.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy/Sales Growth
• Leads development of a yearly cross-functional calendar that outlines time periods of focus and clearly defines thematic support.
• Works cross-functionally with Sales Effectiveness, Owned and Independent Distributor Operations, Product and Brand teams to develop marketing and sales strategies to maintain/grow existing Dealers and attract new Dealers, with the ultimate goal of driving unit sales.
• Provides strategic thinking, actionable insights and marketing recommendations that contributes to sales growth objectives.
• Strategy and management of rewards platform designed for Dealer retention
• Directly responsible for strategizing and developing an overall integrated marketing approach and overseeing each piece from idea to execution (brief, implementation, tracking, communication and successful completion). Integrated Marketing campaigns include digital video, print, POP, email, incentives, etc.
• Cross-Functional Influencing/Partnering
• Inspires in-house agency partners and brand teams to develop growth-oriented marketing solutions grounded in insights; crafts strong marketing briefs and shepherd creative projects to deliver on account needs.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with Interstate Batteries’ Commercial Marketing, Operations, Category Management, Insights/Strategy and Internal Communications teams to identify insights and sell in and successfully activate programming.
• Offers marketing strategy and support to the New Business Development team as opportunities arise.
• Works with Product team to maintain sales collateral inventory and proactively develops new materials.
• Partners with Sponsorship team to provide input on Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Trade Show planning, development and logistics.
• Analysis/Budgeting
• Ensures marketing programs have clear and measurable success metrics, championing a “test and learn” optimization approach, including post-program audits.  Provides analysis of marketing plan results while providing recommendations and thought leadership to optimize future programming.
• Identifies resources required to activate programs and initiatives that drive battery sales and deliver on the annual plan.
• Responsible for multiple fiscal year marketing budgets and ROI for spend.  Works within budgets to maximize efforts, stretching dollars for impact.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university required. BBA in Business or Marketing preferred; MBA-preferred with at least 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Strategic thought leadership with strong ability to influence and collaborate across functions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data, financials, consumer and marketplace insights into actionable customer recommendations.
• Great people management skills and ability to guide and lead multiple direct reports.
• Excellent project management skills, capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communications with ability to persuasively sell.
• Ability to thrive with a high sense of urgency and self-initiative in a rapidly moving environment.
• Strong Marketing acumen; agency management required.
• Scope Data
• Works cross-functionally with multiple teams to ensure successful brand activation and engagement.
• Dealer retention and growth.
• SME on Local Dealer experience.
• Manages a team of direct reports.
• Work Environment
• Ability to sustain posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time.
• Regularly required to use hands to grasp or handle, talk and hear, stand and walk.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move 20+ lbs.
• Prolonged use of personal computer & telephone.
• Note: We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.
• Interstate Batteries provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Interstate Batteries complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
• Interstate Batteries expressly prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical), marital status, military status, veteran status, citizenship or any other characteristic protected under applicable local, state or federal law.