📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Data Steward Lead
🔹 Company: Mars
🔹 Location: United States (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Data & Analytics
🔹 Date Posted: July 29, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Newark, NJ & Chicago, IL)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the execution of a data and AI stewardship strategy for marketing and consumer engagement.
- Ensuring data quality and governance while fostering a culture of data literacy across teams.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to address data issues and communicate progress.
- Staying ahead of industry trends and adapting data stewardship processes to meet evolving needs.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of technical expertise and strong stakeholder engagement skills to drive data-driven decision-making across the organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the charge in supporting the Global Director to execute a bold Data and AI stewardship strategy for Marketing and Consumer Engagement.
✅ Governance and Quality Champion: Catalog critical data elements and ensure adherence to data governance policies.
✅ Information Architecture: Map complex data flows and develop conceptual data models to inform technical model development.
✅ AI/Analytics Innovator: Analyze and optimize data plans for AI/Analytics to drive consumer engagement and innovation.
✅ Cross-functional Collaborator: Engage with global and regional data stewards to address data issues and communicate progress.
✅ Continuous Improvement Advocate: Stay ahead of industry trends and adapt data stewardship processes to meet evolving needs.
✅ Influence Data Driven Transformation: Guide Regional Data Stewards in managing data assets across regional and market entities.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management, requiring strong communication and influencing skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline).
Experience: 7+ years of experience in data analytics, insights, or AI within large organizations, with a focus on marketing and/or consumer data.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in data stewardship and data governance.
- Strong understanding of data models, flows, and structures.
- Ability to develop and enforce data governance policies.
- Excellent communication skills to engage with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Familiarity with cataloging tools like Collibra is a plus.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with data cataloging and data lineage tools.
- Knowledge of data management practices in the consumer goods industry.
ASSUMPTION: Given the project-based nature of this role, candidates with relevant experience in transformation projects are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: USD 133,067 - USD 182,958 per year. This range is inclusive of base pay and variable pay. The total compensation package for this position will include medical and dental benefits, participation in a 401k plan, paid time off, and a company bonus.
Benefits:
- Medical and dental benefits
- 401k plan
- Paid time off
- Company bonus
Working Hours: Full-time, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week).
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is inclusive of base pay and variable pay, and it is subject to change based on individual factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mars is a global manufacturer of confectionery, pet care, and food products, with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making and innovation.
Company Size: Mars is a large, family-owned company with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse teams and projects.
Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Franklin C. Mars and has since grown into a global business with a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Company Description:
- Mars is guided by its Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom.
- The company is committed to creating a positive impact on the world through its business, with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility.
- Mars offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development.
Company Specialties:
- Confectionery (Mars Wrigley)
- Pet care (Mars Petcare)
- Food (Mars Food)
- Health and nutrition (Mars Edge)
Company Website: Mars.com
ASSUMPTION: Mars' commitment to its Five Principles and sustainability initiatives makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking a purpose-driven organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring significant experience and expertise in data stewardship and governance.
Reporting Structure: The Marketing Data Steward Lead will report directly to the Global Director of Data and AI Stewardship and work closely with regional data stewards and cross-functional teams.
Work Arrangement: This role offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement, with 2-3 days on-site per week (Newark, NJ & Chicago, IL).
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to influence data-driven transformation across regional and market entities.
- Opportunity to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Access to learning and development support through Mars University.
ASSUMPTION: Given the project-based nature of this role, candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced and dynamic work environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mars' offices are modern and collaborative spaces designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): Newark, NJ & Chicago, IL
Geographic Context:
- Newark, NJ: A major city in the New York metropolitan area, offering a diverse cultural scene and easy access to New York City.
- Chicago, IL: A vibrant city with a rich history, known for its architecture, culture, and food scene.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week).
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be prepared to travel occasionally for meetings and events.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews
- Final round with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Data stewardship and governance expertise
- Stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mars' Five Principles
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in data stewardship, governance, and marketing data in your resume.
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your alignment with Mars' mission and values.
- Prepare for behavioral and technical interview questions focused on data governance, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving.
ATS Keywords: Data stewardship, data governance, marketing data, consumer data, data literacy, data cataloging, data lineage, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, AI/Analytics
ASSUMPTION: Given the competitive nature of the job market, candidates are encouraged to tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant skills and experiences.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Collibra (data cataloging)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
- Programming languages (e.g., Python, SQL)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred, but not required. Candidates should be comfortable learning and adapting to new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality: The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
- Responsibility: As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others.
- Mutuality: A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
- Efficiency: We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best.
- Freedom: We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Focused on continuous improvement
- Data-driven and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong commitment to data quality and governance?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with diverse teams?
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment focused on continuous improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should carefully consider their alignment with Mars' Five Principles and work style to ensure a strong cultural fit.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing data governance in a large, global organization with diverse data sources.
- Balancing the needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders with competing priorities.
- Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in data stewardship and governance.
- Occasional travel for meetings and events.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these challenges proactively and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on marketing and consumer data within a global confectionery company.
- Similar roles in other industries may have different data sources, stakeholders, and business contexts.
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a global or regional data stewardship role, or transitioning into a more specialized data governance or data management position.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles in other industries to better understand the unique aspects of this opportunity and its potential career growth paths.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a data governance framework for marketing data across multiple regions.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize data plans for AI/Analytics and drive consumer engagement.
- Conducting a comprehensive data audit and cataloging critical data elements to ensure data quality and accuracy.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of responsibilities in this role, requiring strong technical expertise and stakeholder engagement skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of data governance within the marketing function and the key challenges faced by the team?
- How does this role collaborate with regional data stewards and other cross-functional teams to drive data-driven decision-making?
- What opportunities exist for professional growth and development within this role and the broader organization?
- How does Mars support work-life balance for employees in hybrid work arrangements?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization, and to demonstrate their interest and engagement in the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Mars careers portal.
- Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience in data stewardship, governance, and marketing data.
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your alignment with Mars' mission and values.
- Prepare for behavioral and technical interview questions focused on data governance, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission to confirm receipt of your application and express your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
