Founding Marketing Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Founding Marketing Director

🔹 Company: Confidential Client - Series A Tech Startup

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid: 3 days in office)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-28

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Partnering directly with the CEO to develop and execute a marketing strategy that drives industry awareness and consumer adoption
• Building the marketing function across all pillars: brand, content, digital, social, PR, and partnerships
• Crafting compelling narratives around innovative technology that simplifies complex concepts for everyday consumers
• Driving B2B2C strategy by creating strong consumer pull that incentivizes enterprise clients to adopt the technology
• Transforming consumer insights into actionable marketing initiatives that drive growth

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker who is comfortable with ambiguity and can thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment. The ideal candidate will have experience in consumer-focused sectors and B2B2C business models.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute a marketing strategy that drives industry awareness and consumer adoption

✅ Build the marketing function across all pillars: brand, content, digital, social, PR, and partnerships

✅ Craft compelling narratives around innovative technology that simplify complex concepts for everyday consumers

✅ Position the company's platform as the new standard in the industry, moving beyond traditional metrics

✅ Create and develop distinctive brand identity across all touchpoints

✅ Drive B2B2C strategy by creating strong consumer pull that incentivizes enterprise clients to adopt the technology

✅ Design and implement creative campaigns that build engagement with the brand and mission

✅ Embrace rapid test-and-learn experimentation to optimize marketing effectiveness and ROI

✅ Transform consumer insights into actionable marketing initiatives that drive growth

✅ Develop collaborative partnerships with aligned thought leaders and brands to expand reach

✅ Work cross-functionally with sales to create compelling marketing materials and enterprise marketing assets that support partnerships

✅ Build data-driven marketing systems that measure impact and ROI across channels

✅ Implement attribution models to understand the consumer journey and optimize accordingly

✅ Balance creative intuition with analytical rigor to make smart marketing investments

✅ Report on key marketing metrics to leadership and tie marketing activities to business outcomes

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of creative and analytical skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions while also understanding the importance of storytelling and brand building.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 5-10 years of marketing experience with a track record of contributing to successful consumer marketing initiatives

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in consumer-focused sectors with eagerness to dive deeper into emerging categories
• Experience in B2B2C business models where consumer demand drives business adoption
• Background in companies that have successfully taken niche movements mainstream
• Experience working in fast-paced environments where you've had to be resourceful and creative
• Understanding of both brand and performance marketing fundamentals, with eagerness to develop expertise in both areas
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and take initiative on projects

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with marketing automation tools and CRM systems
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in both brand and performance marketing, with a proven track record of driving consumer adoption and engagement.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 + Bonus (20% Target) + Equity

Benefits:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness stipend
• Unlimited PTO
• Equity

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in office)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a founding marketing director role at a Series A tech startup. The final offer may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Technology, Information and Internet

Company Size: 2-10 employees (Small, agile team with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation)

Founded: 2023 (Recent startup with a mission-driven approach)

Company Description:

• Venture-backed startup building technology that fundamentally changes consumer decision-making in a major market
• Mission-driven with ambitious goals for market transformation and consumer impact
• Proprietary platform already deployed across major enterprise clients and thousands of locations

Company Specialties:

• Consumer decision-making technology
• Market transformation
• Consumer impact

Company Website: www.withswitchboard.com

ASSUMPTION: This company is a growing startup with a strong focus on innovation and market transformation. They value collaboration and intellectual curiosity in their team members.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior level (Founding role with significant responsibility and growth potential)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the CEO, with the opportunity to build and lead a marketing team

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office) with flexible hours and a strong focus on work-life balance

Growth Opportunities:

• Building and leading a marketing team as the company grows
• Expanding into new markets and verticals
• Contributing to the company's overall strategy and growth

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to make a real impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (3 days in office)

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
• Close proximity to the company's headquarters and major enterprise clients
• Access to a diverse talent pool and networking opportunities

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in office)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with a Switchboard Hiring representative
• Interview with the CEO to discuss the role and company in more detail
• Case study or project assessment to evaluate marketing strategy and execution skills
• Final interview with the CEO to discuss cultural fit and next steps

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and marketing expertise
• Cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to marketing strategy, brand building, and consumer engagement
• Showcase your ability to think creatively and make data-driven decisions

ATS Keywords: Marketing Strategy, Brand Building, Consumer Growth, Partnership Management, Analytics, Performance Marketing, Consumer Insights, B2B2C Strategy, Collaboration, Resource Allocation

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, marketing expertise, and cultural fit for the role.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
• CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot CRM)
• Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• SEO and content marketing tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs)
• Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with marketing automation tools and CRM systems, as well as a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Boldness: Embracing a growth mindset and taking calculated risks
• Intellectual Curiosity: Encouraging continuous learning and exploration
• Hands-On Approach: Rolling up sleeves and contributing to all aspects of the business

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals
• Agile: Adapting to change and pivoting as needed in a fast-paced environment
• Data-Driven: Making informed decisions based on data and analytics

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach building a brand from scratch, and how do you ensure it resonates with consumers?
• How do you balance creative intuition with analytical rigor in your marketing approach?
• How do you thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment, and what strategies do you use to manage uncertainty?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style, with a growth mindset and a hands-on approach to their work.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, startup environment with a high degree of uncertainty and ambiguity
• Building a marketing function from scratch and making strategic decisions with limited resources
• Balancing the need for creative, innovative marketing campaigns with data-driven, measurable results
• Managing a hybrid work arrangement and ensuring effective communication and collaboration with remote team members

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require a candidate with strong adaptability, resilience, and a growth mindset to succeed in the role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to a traditional marketing director role, this position offers more responsibility and growth potential as a founding team member
• Unlike other marketing roles, this position requires a strong focus on B2B2C strategy and consumer demand generation
• Career path comparison: This role offers a clear path to leadership and growth opportunities as the company expands and scales its marketing function

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on B2B2C strategy and consumer demand generation, offering significant growth potential and leadership opportunities for the right candidate.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new consumer product launch, including brand positioning, target audience identification, and channel mix optimization
• Creating and executing a successful influencer marketing campaign to drive consumer awareness and engagement for a new brand
• Analyzing consumer data to identify trends and insights, and using those insights to inform marketing strategy and tactics

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the candidate's ability to develop and execute strategic marketing campaigns, analyze consumer data, and make data-driven decisions to optimize marketing effectiveness.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the company in the next 12-24 months, and how can marketing help address them?
• How does the company plan to scale its marketing function as it grows, and what opportunities exist for growth and leadership within the team?
• What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does that manifest in its hiring and promotion practices?
• How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly in a hybrid work arrangement?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured in the first 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: These questions help the candidate assess the company's growth potential, cultural fit, and alignment with their personal values and career goals.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/switchboard-hiring/46a97c6b-9b79-4478-b9c6-bfd4c1fdaa8f
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills, with a focus on strategic thinking, brand building, and consumer engagement
• Prepare a case study or project assessment that demonstrates your ability to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns
• Follow up with Switchboard Hiring one week after submission to check the status of your application

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