π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Director, Brand Strategy
πΉ Company: Okta
πΉ Location: San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Chicago, IL
πΉ Job Type: Full-Time
πΉ Category: Marketing
πΉ Date Posted: April 24, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 10+ years
πΉ Remote Status: Remote OK
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Defining Oktaβs brand strategy and driving brand initiatives
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align brand with business objectives
- Developing brand messaging, awareness campaigns, and measurement strategies
- Managing and mentoring a team of brand strategists
- Working closely with executive leadership to identify brand needs and support business objectives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in brand management and a proven track record of driving brand initiatives in a B2B tech environment.
π Key Responsibilities
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Evolve Oktaβs corporate brand while staying true to its core and understanding downstream implications
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Own brand strategy for awareness campaigns, partnering with teams through execution, measurement, and optimization
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Drive measurement and storytelling of brand KPIs, including brand health tracking, campaign lift measurement, and bespoke partnerships
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Create top-level brand messaging for the corporate brand and work with stakeholders on cascading messaging through the organization
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Define the desired brand experience across key marketing touchpoints and help partner with teams through execution
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Partner effectively with Demand Gen, Product Marketing, and Regional Marketing stakeholders and be an advocate for brand
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Define verbal identity for the brand, including voice and naming, and work with the brand creative team on defining the visual identity of the brand
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of brand strategy, messaging, and campaign management, as well as the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 10+ years of experience in brand strategy, brand management, or a related field, with a focus on B2B tech
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of shaping and executing world-class brand programs
- Tech expertise and/or intellectual curiosity around technology and its impact
- Strategic mindset with the ability to think critically about complex issues
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Proven ability to develop talent and manage people/lead a team
- Ability to influence at all levels and work effectively across functions and geographies
- Experience managing, negotiating, and collaborating with outside creative agencies, partners, and third-party vendors
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced dynamic environment, prioritizing and advancing multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with executives and C-levels
- Ability to provide strategic direction and guidance to creative partners
- Familiarity with brand measurement tools and techniques
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in brand strategy, brand management, and campaign management, with a focus on B2B tech. They should also possess excellent communication and leadership skills.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $200,000 - $336,000 USD per year (San Francisco Bay Area), $200,000 - $300,000 USD per year (California, Colorado, New York, and Washington)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Flexible spending account
- Paid leave (including PTO and parental leave)
- Equity (where applicable)
- Bonus
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on Okta's job posting and industry standards for a Director of Brand Strategy role in B2B tech. The benefits listed are based on Okta's job posting and are subject to change.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Software Development (Identity Management)
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees (Okta is a public company)
Founded: 2009 (Okta was founded in 2009 and went public in 2017)
Company Description:
- Okta is The Worldβs Identity Company, providing secure and flexible access to technology for people and organizations
- Okta's Workforce and Customer Identity Clouds enable secure yet flexible access, authentication, and automation that transforms how people move through the digital world
- Okta's mission is to make identity the heart of business security and growth
Company Specialties:
- Identity Management
- Access Management
- Single Sign-On
- SaaS
- Cloud
- User Management
- Mobile Security
- Mobility Management
- IDaaS
Company Website: https://www.okta.com
ASSUMPTION: Okta is a well-established company in the identity management space, with a strong focus on security and flexibility. Its brand should reflect these core values and the company's position as a leader in its industry.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive (Director-level role)
Reporting Structure: The Director of Brand Strategy will report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer or another senior marketing leader
Work Arrangement: Remote OK (Okta offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead a team of brand strategists and mentor their growth
- Opportunity to shape Okta's brand and drive its success
- Potential to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence Okta's overall marketing strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, including the chance to lead a team and shape Okta's brand strategy.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Okta has multiple offices worldwide, with the option to work remotely
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Chicago, IL
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco, CA: Known for its tech industry, vibrant culture, and diverse population
- New York, NY: A global hub for finance, media, and technology, with a fast-paced work environment
- Bellevue, WA: A suburb of Seattle, with a growing tech industry and a more laid-back pace of life
- Chicago, IL: A major Midwestern city with a diverse economy and a strong tech industry
Work Schedule: Flexible (Okta offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours)
ASSUMPTION: Okta's work environment is flexible, with the option to work remotely or in one of its offices worldwide. The geographic context of each location offers unique advantages and considerations for candidates.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager or HR
- In-depth behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager or a panel of stakeholders
- Case study or presentation to assess the candidate's strategic thinking and communication skills
- Final interview with the Chief Marketing Officer or another senior leader
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Leadership and team management skills
- Brand management and campaign experience
- Industry knowledge and understanding of Okta's products and services
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand strategy, management, and campaign experience
- Include specific examples of your achievements in brand strategy and management
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your brand strategy and management skills
- Research Okta's brand and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its products
ATS Keywords: Brand Strategy, Brand Management, Campaign Management, Strategic Thinking, Communication, Leadership, Team Management, Identity Management, Access Management, Single Sign-On, SaaS, Cloud, User Management, Mobile Security, Mobility Management, IDaaS
ASSUMPTION: Okta's application process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and brand management experience. Candidates should tailor their application materials to highlight these skills and demonstrate their fit for the role.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Brand management software (e.g., Brandfolder, Frontify, etc.)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, etc.)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, etc.)
- Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, etc.)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: Okta uses a variety of tools and technologies to support its brand management, data analysis, and collaboration efforts. Candidates should be comfortable using these tools and technologies to perform their job effectively.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Love our customers
- Empower our people
- Never stop innovating
- Act with integrity
- Maintain transparency
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and results-focused
- Agile and adaptable
- Transparent and open communication
- Customer-centric and customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Okta's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- How do you approach working in a collaborative, data-driven, and agile environment?
- How do you ensure transparency and open communication with your team and stakeholders?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: Okta's culture is collaborative, data-driven, and customer-centric. Candidates should assess their fit with Okta's core values and work style to ensure a successful transition into the company.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple brand campaigns and initiatives simultaneously
- Balancing brand strategy with tactical execution
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities
- Adapting to Okta's unique culture and work environment
ASSUMPTION: Okta's brand strategy role presents unique challenges, including managing multiple campaigns, balancing strategy and execution, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Candidates should be prepared to tackle these challenges and thrive in a dynamic work environment.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- Okta's Director of Brand Strategy role is unique in its focus on identity management and access management, as well as Okta's position as a leader in the industry
- Compared to other brand strategy roles, Okta's role requires a strong understanding of identity management and access management, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Okta's role offers significant growth opportunities, including the chance to lead a team and shape Okta's brand strategy
ASSUMPTION: Okta's Director of Brand Strategy role is unique in its focus on identity management and access management, as well as Okta's position as a leader in the industry. Candidates should be prepared to leverage their industry knowledge and experience to drive Okta's brand strategy.
π Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy for Okta, including brand positioning, messaging, and visual identity
- Managing a brand awareness campaign, including planning, execution, measurement, and optimization
- Conducting a brand audit and providing recommendations for improvement
- Collaborating with product marketing to develop brand messaging for new products or features
- Working with regional marketing teams to ensure brand consistency across global markets
ASSUMPTION: Okta's brand strategy role involves a wide range of projects, from developing comprehensive brand strategies to managing brand awareness campaigns and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Candidates should be prepared to tackle these projects and drive Okta's brand strategy.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Okta's brand strategy align with its overall business objectives and product roadmap?
- What are the key challenges facing Okta's brand strategy, and how can this role address them?
- How does Okta measure the success of its brand strategy, and what metrics are most important?
- What is the team structure for the brand strategy team, and how does this role fit into the organization?
- How does Okta support the professional development and growth of its brand strategy team members?
ASSUMPTION: Okta's brand strategy interview should focus on the candidate's understanding of Okta's brand, its challenges, and its growth opportunities. Candidates should prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and Okta's brand strategy.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand strategy, management, and campaign experience
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your brand strategy and management skills
- Research Okta's brand and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its products
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR within one week of submitting your application
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.