📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Marketing
🔹 Company: Sofar Ocean
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading brand strategy, communications, and go-to-market execution for Sofar Ocean
- Positioning Sofar as the category-defining leader in ocean intelligence
- Aligning go-to-market strategy with sales and product teams to drive demand for Wayfinder
- Building and launching executive communications to amplify Sofar's leadership voice
- Setting KPIs and tracking marketing performance metrics
- Cultivating a high-performing, values-driven marketing culture
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and operational leader with experience in both startups and scaled tech organizations. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of climate tech, geospatial data, and enterprise SaaS.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead brand strategy, communications, and go-to-market execution for Sofar Ocean
✅ Position Sofar as the category-defining leader in ocean intelligence
✅ Align go-to-market strategy with sales and product teams to drive demand for Wayfinder
✅ Build and launch executive communications to amplify Sofar's leadership voice
✅ Set KPIs and track marketing performance metrics
✅ Model and shape a high-performing, values-driven marketing culture
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a full-stack marketing background with a focus on brand strategy, communications, and go-to-market execution. The ideal candidate will have experience in both startup and enterprise environments.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 8+ years in marketing leadership roles with full-stack ownership of brand, comms, and GTM
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in startup and enterprise environments
- Ability to build category-defining messaging in emerging markets
- Deep experience across PR, executive comms, analyst relations, and integrated campaigns
- Sharp POV on marketing’s role in accelerating company growth and influence
- Passion for the ocean and commitment to Sofar's mission
Preferred Skills:
- Understanding of the shipping industry or experience in marine sensing
- Connection to or passion for the ocean
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of climate tech, geospatial data, and the ability to create impactful messaging. Experience in the shipping industry or marine sensing is a plus.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $190,000 - $240,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Unlimited PTO
- Flexible work arrangements
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling
ASSUMPTION: The salary range listed is what Sofar Ocean reasonably expects to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, and equity package.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sofar Ocean operates in the technology industry, specifically focusing on marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing. The company is at the intersection of geospatial data, ocean science, and real-time intelligence.
Company Size: Sofar Ocean is a mid-sized company with 51-200 employees. This size allows for a more agile and innovative work environment while still offering the resources and stability of a larger organization.
Founded: Sofar Ocean was founded in 2016, making it a relatively young company with a strong focus on growth and innovation.
Company Description:
- Sofar Ocean is the global leader in marine weather intelligence
- The company delivers the most accurate marine weather, powered by the world’s largest network of real-time ocean sensors
- Sofar Ocean improves safety and efficiency at sea by providing critical weather data to customers
Company Specialties:
- Marine weather intelligence
- Ocean sensing
- Real-time data analysis
- Geospatial data
Company Website: http://www.sofarocean.com
ASSUMPTION: Sofar Ocean is a mission-driven company focused on connecting the world’s oceans to power a more sustainable future. The company's commitment to climate justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in its job postings and company culture.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the CEO. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of experience in marketing leadership roles with full-stack ownership of brand, comms, and GTM.
Reporting Structure: The Head of Marketing will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the Product, Engineering, and Science teams to position Sofar Ocean in a way that drives demand, sparks curiosity, and earns trust.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, with the option to work from Sofar Ocean's headquarters in San Francisco or remotely from anywhere in the United States.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Sofar Ocean continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the Head of Marketing to expand their team and take on more responsibility
- The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to shape the company's brand and narrative, positioning Sofar Ocean as the category-defining leader in ocean intelligence
- This role offers the chance to work at the intersection of geospatial data, ocean science, and real-time intelligence, providing a unique learning experience
ASSUMPTION: The Head of Marketing role at Sofar Ocean is a unique opportunity for a senior marketing leader to make a significant impact on a growing company in the marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing space.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sofar Ocean's headquarters is located in San Francisco, California. The company offers a flexible work arrangement, allowing employees to work remotely or from the office as needed.
Office Location(s): Pier 28 Annex, San Francisco, California 94105, US
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
- The city offers a diverse range of cultural attractions, dining options, and outdoor activities
- San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and cool summers
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling
ASSUMPTION: Sofar Ocean's flexible work arrangement allows employees to balance their personal and professional lives while still being able to collaborate and innovate with the team.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- Behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager
- Case study or project presentation to the team
- Final interview with the CEO
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and brand positioning
- Communication skills and executive presence
- Leadership and team-building abilities
- Understanding of climate tech, geospatial data, and enterprise SaaS
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in marketing leadership roles and your passion for the ocean
- Prepare a case study or project presentation that demonstrates your ability to build category-defining messaging in emerging markets
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of Sofar Ocean's mission and how you can contribute to the company's growth and success
ATS Keywords: Marketing leadership, brand strategy, communications, go-to-market execution, startup experience, enterprise experience, climate tech, geospatial data, data-heavy sectors, public relations, executive communications, analyst relations, integrated campaigns, category-defining messaging, team collaboration, impact awareness
ASSUMPTION: Sofar Ocean's application process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and leadership abilities. The company is looking for a marketing leader who can drive demand, spark curiosity, and earn trust for Sofar Ocean's marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing solutions.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot CRM)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- SEO and content marketing tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with a variety of marketing tools and technologies, and be able to adapt to new platforms as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven: We are committed to connecting the world’s oceans to power a more sustainable future
- Innovative: We embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement
- Collaborative: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's success
- Impactful: We strive to make a positive difference in the world through our work
Work Style:
- Strategic: We think critically and creatively to solve problems and drive growth
- Adaptable: We embrace change and are comfortable working in a dynamic environment
- Data-driven: We use data to inform our decisions and measure our success
- Customer-focused: We prioritize the needs of our customers and strive to exceed their expectations
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Sofar Ocean's mission to connect the world’s oceans and power a more sustainable future?
- How do you approach building category-defining messaging in emerging markets?
- How do you foster a collaborative and impactful work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Sofar Ocean values candidates who are mission-driven, innovative, collaborative, and impactful. The ideal candidate will be able to thrive in a dynamic and data-driven work environment and prioritize the needs of the company's customers.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day operations in a growing company
- Building a high-performing marketing team from scratch
- Positioning Sofar Ocean as a leader in the marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing space
- Managing a remote or hybrid team, with employees working from different locations
ASSUMPTION: The Head of Marketing role at Sofar Ocean presents unique challenges and opportunities for a senior marketing leader to make a significant impact on a growing company in the marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing space.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position requires a strong understanding of climate tech, geospatial data, and enterprise SaaS
- This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of geospatial data, ocean science, and real-time intelligence, providing a unique learning experience
- As a senior leadership position, the Head of Marketing role at Sofar Ocean offers significant growth and development opportunities
ASSUMPTION: The Head of Marketing role at Sofar Ocean is a unique opportunity for a senior marketing leader to make a significant impact on a growing company in the marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing space.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy for Sofar Ocean, positioning the company as the category-defining leader in ocean intelligence
- Launching a successful executive communications campaign to amplify Sofar Ocean's leadership voice and drive demand for Wayfinder
- Building and optimizing a high-performing marketing team, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and impact
ASSUMPTION: The Head of Marketing role at Sofar Ocean presents a unique opportunity for a senior marketing leader to make a significant impact on a growing company in the marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing space.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Sofar Ocean plan to expand its marketing team in the next 12-24 months?
- What are the key priorities for the Head of Marketing in the first 90 days?
- How does Sofar Ocean support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities facing Sofar Ocean in the marine weather intelligence and ocean sensing space?
- How does Sofar Ocean measure the success of its marketing efforts, and how do you plan to track and optimize performance?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be curious and proactive, asking thoughtful questions about Sofar Ocean's growth, marketing strategy, and team dynamics.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in marketing leadership roles and your passion for the ocean
- Prepare a case study or project presentation that demonstrates your ability to build category-defining messaging in emerging markets
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of Sofar Ocean's mission and how you can contribute to the company's growth and success
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
