Director of Marketing Planning & Optimization

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director of Marketing Planning & Optimization

🔹 Company: BECU

🔹 Location: Tukwila, WA

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Banking

🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic leadership in marketing planning and optimization
• Cross-functional collaboration with senior leaders
• Budget process evolution and investment strategy
• Operational excellence and team management
• Executive communication and strategic influence

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, operational management, and leadership skills to drive marketing initiatives and support the organization's vision.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Shape strategic direction by collaborating with senior leaders to align marketing strategies with BECU’s enterprise vision and long-term roadmap.

✅ Transform marketing investments by leading the evolution of the marketing budget process, creating new methodologies for investment strategy and optimization.

✅ Forecast with precision by building and managing marketing planning and forecasting models that support smarter, more agile decision-making.

✅ Drive operational excellence by establishing and leading business processes and routines that keep teams focused, aligned, and accountable to key priorities.

✅ Lead with insight by designing and implementing team strategies that reflect employee and member feedback, driving engagement and continuous improvement.

✅ Unify through communication by developing clear, consistent messaging that connects employees to the division’s goals, initiatives, and culture.

✅ Create organizational rhythms by managing internal operational cadences to ensure smooth execution and feedback loops.

✅ Integrate people programs by seamlessly embedding performance management, learning, and engagement initiatives into the business unit’s daily operations.

✅ Champion change by acting as a change leader across teams, helping drive adoption and success of new programs and strategic initiatives.

✅ Collaborate across functions by working closely with leaders across the organization to align resources, timelines, and priorities for shared success.

✅ Support executive planning by providing strategic input and facilitation for staffing, organizational design, and budget planning efforts.

✅ Contribute to strategic reviews by participating in key planning sessions and initiative reviews, helping shape business cases and strategic direction.

✅ Elevate executive communication by developing high-impact presentations and reporting tools that keep senior leadership informed and empowered to act.

✅ Perform with agility by taking on additional responsibilities as needed, always with a focus on driving value and innovation.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of strategic planning, operational management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive marketing success and support the organization's goals.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Communications, or equivalent experience.

Experience: Typically requires 10 years of relevant experience in operations management, project management, business implementation, or organizational communications.

Required Skills:

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Operations management and project management
• Business implementation and organizational communications
• Marketing financial concepts and analytics practices
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Leadership, negotiation, and consensus-building skills
• Planning and engagement skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with marketing financial concepts and analytics practices
• Demonstrated planning skills in both tactical and strategic planning

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of strategic, operational, and leadership skills, with a focus on driving marketing success and supporting the organization's vision.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The Target Pay Range for this position is $167,500.00-$204,600.00 annually. The full Pay Range is $129,800.00 - $242,200.00 annually. At BECU, compensation decisions are determined using factors such as relevant job-related skills, experience, and education or training.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
• Disability and AD&D insurance
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, as well as health savings accounts
• 401k plan and employer-funded retirement plan
• Paid time off (PTO) and ten paid holidays throughout the calendar year

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is a target range, and actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and market conditions. The benefits listed are subject to change and may vary based on employee eligibility.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Banking

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 1935

Company Description:

• BECU is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative guided by the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”
• As a cooperative, BECU is owned by its members, driving decisions that prioritize members’ and employees’ needs.
• BECU offers a wide range of consumer banking, lending, and business services, as well as financial education and literacy programs.

Company Specialties:

• Consumer Banking
• Consumer Lending
• Business Services
• Financial Education and Literacy
• Auto Loans
• Mortgage Lending

Company Website: http://www.becu.org

ASSUMPTION: BECU's cooperative structure and member-owned status differentiate it from traditional for-profit banks, allowing it to prioritize member and employee needs in its decision-making processes.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Executive/Management

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Marketing and is responsible for leading a team of marketing planning and optimization professionals.

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with the possibility of occasional remote work for qualified candidates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to a senior leadership role within the marketing department or other business units
• Opportunities to expand skills and expertise in strategic planning, operations management, and leadership
• Possibility to drive significant organizational impact and contribute to BECU’s growth and success

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance their career and make a lasting impact on BECU’s marketing strategies and overall success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: BECU's headquarters is located in Tukwila, WA, with additional offices throughout the Puget Sound region.

Office Location(s): 12770 Gateway Drive, Tukwila, WA 98168, US

Geographic Context:

• The Puget Sound region offers a mild, oceanic climate with abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.
• The area is known for its strong job market, with a diverse range of industries and employers.
• Tukwila is conveniently located near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and major highways, providing easy access to the rest of the region.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work hours, with flexibility for qualified candidates to work remotely on an occasional basis.

ASSUMPTION: BECU's location in the Puget Sound region offers a high quality of life, with easy access to urban amenities, natural beauty, and a strong job market.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-depth behavioral and situational interviews with the hiring team
• Final interview with the senior vice president of marketing
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Operations management and project management skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with BECU's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments.
• Research BECU's mission, values, and culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the organization.
• Be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role aligns with your aspirations.

ATS Keywords: Marketing planning, optimization, strategy, operations management, project management, leadership, team management, communication, presentation, banking, financial services, cooperative, member-owned

ASSUMPTION: BECU's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, operational management, and leadership skills, as well as their cultural fit and alignment with the organization's values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI)
• Marketing automation and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot)
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they enable effective planning, communication, and collaboration.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Member-focused
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Excellence

Work Style:

• BECU values a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a focus on teamwork and open communication.
• The organization prioritizes continuous learning and professional development opportunities for its employees.
• BECU fosters a culture of accountability, with a strong emphasis on delivering results and driving member satisfaction.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with BECU's member-focused approach?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you drove significant operational improvements in a previous role?
• How do you approach building and maintaining effective working relationships with team members and stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: BECU's cultural fit considerations prioritize candidates who demonstrate strong alignment with the organization's values, as well as a proven track record of driving operational excellence and fostering a collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large team and driving operational excellence in a dynamic and evolving business environment
• Balancing strategic planning and day-to-day tactical responsibilities
• Navigating a complex organizational structure and influencing stakeholders at various levels
• Adapting to changes in the financial services industry and regulatory landscape
• Ensuring consistent and effective communication across multiple teams and departments

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a strong blend of strategic thinking, operational management, and leadership skills to drive success.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from related positions in its focus on marketing planning and optimization, rather than day-to-day marketing execution or campaign management.
• As a member-owned cooperative, BECU's decision-making processes and priorities may differ from those of traditional for-profit banks.
• Career progression in this role may involve advancing to senior leadership positions within the marketing department or other business units, rather than specializing in a specific marketing discipline.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic, operational, and leadership responsibilities, with a focus on driving marketing success and supporting the organization's overall vision.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a new marketing budget process to optimize investment strategy and allocation
• Creating and managing marketing planning and forecasting models to support data-driven decision-making
• Designing and executing a comprehensive marketing communication plan to align employees with the division's goals and initiatives

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, operational, and leadership aspects of this role, highlighting the importance of driving marketing success and supporting the organization's vision.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the most significant marketing initiative you've led and its impact on the organization?
• How do you approach managing a team and driving operational excellence in a dynamic business environment?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully influenced senior leadership to support a strategic initiative?
• How do you ensure consistent and effective communication across multiple teams and departments?
• What steps do you take to stay current with industry trends and best practices in marketing planning and optimization?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions during the interview process will help you better understand the role's requirements, the organization's culture, and the team's priorities.

📌 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.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences and accomplishments.
• Research BECU's mission, values, and culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the organization.
• Be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role aligns with your aspirations.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.