📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Marketplace Growth & Merchandising
🔹 Company: Propel
🔹 Location: Brooklyn, NY (Remote OK)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketplace Growth & Merchandising
🔹 Date Posted: April 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK (Specific states only)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and enhancing ad placement and merchandising strategy to optimize user engagement and partner monetization
- Driving experimentation and leveraging data-driven insights to improve performance
- Building and leading a lean, scrappy team to drive cross-functional efforts
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align growth initiatives with user and partner needs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, data-driven, and collaborative leader with a strong background in marketplace growth, merchandising, or ad monetization to drive success in the Propel Marketplace.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own and enhance the ad placement and merchandising strategy that optimizes user engagement, partner monetization, and overall Marketplace performance across the Propel app
✅ Develop campaign strategy in coordination with Marketing to create consistent and targeted user engagement patterns while also driving partner performance
✅ Own and manage ad inventory across app, email, push, and web, maintaining a robust inventory planning process that efficiently matches user engagement with monetization opportunities
✅ Develop an Offers and Rewards strategy to help make the Propel Marketplace the most rewarding destination for users and to increase performance potential for advertising partners
✅ Build scalable GTM process around placements and campaigns to ensure Business Development and Customer Success teams are equipped to efficiently price and proactively sell against various growth levers
✅ Drive experimentation and leverage data-driven insights to optimize merchandising decisions and improve performance
✅ Identify, test, and scale new growth and monetization features and programs for Marketplace
✅ Work cross-functionally with Product, Design, Customer Success, Marketing, and Data Science to align growth initiatives with user and partner needs
✅ Lead the Growth and Merchandising team - build and lead a lean and scrappy team that can drive cross-functional efforts
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and hands-on execution to succeed in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Marketing, or a quantitative discipline) or equivalent experience
Experience: 10+ years of experience in merchandising, growth, product, analytics/strategy, or ad monetization within a marketplace, affiliate marketing, or ad tech environment
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of launching and scaling monetization programs
- Strong analytical skills, with experience using data to drive decision-making and proficiency in SQL
- Deep experience with growth strategies, performance marketing, and A/B testing
- Experience working cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, and Sales teams
- Strong understanding of marketplace dynamics and user behavior
Preferred Skills:
- Experience managing and leading a team
- Familiarity with the government benefits and financial services industries
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in marketplace growth, merchandising, or ad monetization, combined with leadership experience and a data-driven approach, will be most successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $200,000 - $240,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- 20 Days of PTO
- 4% 401K match
- $10k lifetime spend towards Carrot Fertility
- Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision options
- Other health and mental health focused benefits and perks
Working Hours: Full-time position, with flexible hours and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and the company's compensation bands. The final offer will be based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Propel operates in the fintech and social good sectors, focusing on providing modern, respectful, and effective financial products and services for low-income Americans
Company Size: Propel is a mid-sized company with 51-200 employees, offering a blend of startup agility and established resources
Founded: Propel was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York
Company Description:
- Propel's mission is to enable Americans with low income to improve their financial health
- The Propel app (formerly Providers, Fresh EBT) is used by over five million Americans each month to check their EBT balance, stay up-to-date on benefits information, and more
- Propel is a for-profit company, originally founded through a fellowship at Blue Ridge Labs @Robin Hood Foundation
Company Specialties:
- Social good
- Fintech
- Social enterprise
- Debit and financial services
Company Website: www.propel.app
ASSUMPTION: Propel's unique blend of social mission and for-profit structure offers candidates the opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, reporting directly to the General Manager of Marketplace
Reporting Structure: The Director of Marketplace Growth & Merchandising will lead the Growth and Merchandising team and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product, Design, Customer Success, Marketing, and Data Science
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, with optional retreats and in-person meetings for team building and collaboration
Growth Opportunities:
- As Propel continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to expand their team and take on additional responsibilities
- With Propel's focus on innovation and user-centered design, there are ample opportunities for professional development and skill-building
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for a strategic, data-driven leader to make a significant impact on Propel's growth and success while developing their career in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Propel has a dog-friendly office in Downtown Brooklyn and satellite offices in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. The team meets in-person for optional retreats
Office Location(s): 235 Duffield Street, Suite 1700, Brooklyn, New York 11201, US
Geographic Context:
- Brooklyn, New York: A vibrant, multicultural neighborhood with a thriving tech scene and easy access to public transportation
- Remote work: Propel offers remote work options for eligible positions, with a focus on work-life balance and employee well-being
Work Schedule: Full-time position, with flexible hours and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: Propel's remote-friendly work environment and flexible hours allow employees to balance their personal and professional lives while maintaining a strong connection to the company's mission and culture.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the Hiring Manager
- Technical assessment or case study
- On-site or video interview with cross-functional stakeholders
- Final interview with the CEO or another executive leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Leadership and team management
Application Tips:
- Highlight your experience with marketplace growth, merchandising, or ad monetization, and provide specific examples of your impact in previous roles
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills
ATS Keywords: Marketplace growth, merchandising, ad monetization, strategic thinking, data-driven, cross-functional collaboration, leadership, team management
ASSUMPTION: Propel's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, data-driven approach, and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Looker)
- Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Communication and productivity tools (e.g., Slack, Google Workspace)
ASSUMPTION: Propel uses a variety of tools and technologies to support its data-driven approach and collaborative work environment. Candidates should be comfortable learning and leveraging new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven: Propel is committed to its social mission and strives to make a positive impact on the lives of low-income Americans
- User-centered: Propel prioritizes the needs and preferences of its users in all aspects of its product development and service delivery
- Collaborative: Propel fosters a culture of open communication, active listening, and cross-functional collaboration
Work Style:
- Data-driven: Propel uses data to inform decision-making and continuously improve its products and services
- Agile: Propel operates in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and embraces change and adaptation
- Inclusive: Propel values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to create an environment where all employees feel valued and respected
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Propel's mission-driven approach, and how have you demonstrated this in previous roles?
- How do you approach cross-functional collaboration, and can you provide an example of a successful cross-functional project you've led or contributed to?
- How do you balance data-driven decision-making with a user-centered approach, and can you provide an example of a time when you've successfully integrated these perspectives?
ASSUMPTION: Propel's mission-driven, user-centered, and collaborative culture offers candidates the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires a balance of strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and hands-on execution, which can be challenging for some candidates
- Propel's remote-friendly work environment may require candidates to be self-motivated and disciplined in managing their time and priorities
- The role involves working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including users, partners, and internal teams, which can present unique communication and collaboration challenges
- Propel's focus on innovation and continuous improvement may require candidates to adapt to changing priorities and work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are comfortable balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders will be most successful in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on marketplace growth and merchandising within the government benefits and financial services industries
- Compared to similar roles in other industries, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the financial health and well-being of low-income Americans
- Career path comparison: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates to develop their leadership and strategic skills while working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. With Propel's focus on growth and innovation, there are ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are drawn to Propel's mission and are seeking a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment will find this role particularly appealing.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a targeted ad campaign to increase user engagement and partner performance for a specific product category
- Conducting a comprehensive analysis of user behavior and preferences to inform the development of a new offers and rewards strategy
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to launch a new growth feature or monetization program, from ideation to execution
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, data-driven, and collaborative nature of the Director of Marketplace Growth & Merchandising role at Propel.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Propel measure the success of its marketplace growth and merchandising initiatives, and how does this role contribute to those metrics?
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the Growth and Merchandising team, and how does this role fit into the broader organization?
- How does Propel balance its social mission with its business goals, and how does this role contribute to that balance?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within this role and at Propel more broadly?
- How does Propel support work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly for remote workers?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, and to assess their fit with Propel's mission and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role, with a focus on marketplace growth, merchandising, and ad monetization
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills
- Follow up with Propel within one week of submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
