📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Director - South Korea
🔹 Company: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
🔹 Location: Seoul, South Korea
🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 20, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the South Korean marketing team to build and execute marketing strategies
- Managing and evolving a common planning framework for marketing and internal business partners
- Localizing global marketing calendars and go-to-market plans for key product launches
- Driving consumer insights and brand positioning efforts
- Overseeing marketing budgets and performance tracking
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to drive marketing success in the South Korean market.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Build, lead, and manage a highly collaborative marketing team
✅ Establish, manage, and evolve a common planning framework for marketing and internal business partners
✅ Localize global marketing calendars and go-to-market plans for key product launches
✅ Develop and execute strategic marketing initiatives to build brand image and tone of voice in South Korea
✅ Lead communication among global, Japan, and South Korea marketing teams
✅ Establish, manage, and build an effective consumer insights process
✅ Own and drive the Fender Music Korea Marketing dashboard, including regular reporting on activation, ROI, and performance
✅ Oversee marketing budgets and ensure efficiency and effectiveness in conjunction with impacted marketing and sales functions
✅ Establish and generate marketing reporting and analytics to measure impact and ROI of the marketing function
✅ Oversee all marketing functions, including scheduling, production, and maintenance of operating budgets
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and project management to ensure successful marketing outcomes.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: University degree required; bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, design, or a related field or the equivalent level of experience preferred; master’s degree preferred.
Experience: 7-10 years of progressive management experience in marketing within a multi-category marketing organization or advertising agency. Experience in a similar role, responsible for the Public Relations and Corporate Communications strategies for South Korea relevant, consumer-driven brands and/or agencies in Music, Lifestyle, Fashion/Luxury Goods and/or Media.
Required Skills:
- Proven track record launching multiple consumer products and brand campaigns across mass media and targeted influencer/media strategies
- Ability to manage and lead an effective consumer insights and consumer research protocol and resources
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Passion for music, guitars, and Fender
Preferred Skills:
- Business level English language proficiency
- Full bilingual capability in English and Korean
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in marketing, consumer insights, and team leadership, with a deep understanding of the South Korean market and consumer behavior.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Marketing Director role in South Korea with 7-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is ₩120,000,000 - ₩180,000,000 per year.
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan
- Paid time off and holidays
- Employee discounts on Fender products
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with flexibility based on project needs.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Musical Instruments
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1946
Company Description:
- Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers, and distributors
- FMIC’s portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH®, and Charvel®
- FMIC follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest quality instruments and musical solutions across genres
Company Specialties:
- Musical instrument manufacturing
- Marketing and distribution
- Brand management
Company Website: www.fender.com
ASSUMPTION: Fender is a well-established company in the musical instruments industry, with a strong global presence and a rich history.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior management
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Vice President of Marketing, Asia Pacific
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time, with flexibility for remote work based on project needs
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a regional or global marketing role within the organization
- Expanding leadership and management skills through team development and mentoring
- Gaining experience in the global music industry and cross-cultural marketing
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, both within the marketing function and across the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space
Office Location(s): Seoul, South Korea
Geographic Context:
- Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with a population of over 10 million people
- Seoul is a major global hub for culture, technology, and entertainment
- The South Korean music industry is vibrant and growing, with a strong focus on K-pop and other genres
Work Schedule: Typical work hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with flexibility based on project needs
ASSUMPTION: The work environment in Seoul is dynamic, fast-paced, and offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final interview with the Vice President of Marketing, Asia Pacific
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing strategy and planning
- Consumer insights and market research
- Team leadership and management
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills
- Demonstrate your understanding of the South Korean market and consumer behavior
- Prepare examples of your past marketing campaigns and their outcomes
- Showcase your passion for music and Fender products
ATS Keywords: Marketing Director, South Korea, Brand Marketing, Digital Marketing, Consumer Insights, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Music Industry
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their marketing expertise and cultural fit with Fender.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Consumer research and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SurveyMonkey)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the marketing industry and can be learned quickly by candidates with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for music and Fender products
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous learning
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Results-driven and data-focused
- Collaborative and cross-functional
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate your passion for music and Fender products in your daily life?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully led a team through a challenging marketing project?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technologies?
ASSUMPTION: Fender values candidates who are passionate about music, collaborative, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team with diverse backgrounds and skillsets
- Balancing global marketing priorities with local market needs
- Adapting to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the music industry
- Navigating the cultural nuances of the South Korean market
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong leadership, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Regional Marketing Manager or Country Manager role within a multinational corporation
- However, this role is unique in its focus on the South Korean market and the music industry
- Career progression in this role could lead to a regional or global marketing role within Fender
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing management roles, its focus on the South Korean music industry makes it unique.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a marketing campaign to launch a new Fender product in South Korea
- Conducting consumer research to better understand the South Korean market and consumer behavior
- Collaborating with the global marketing team to localize a global marketing campaign for the South Korean market
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide a snapshot of the types of initiatives the Marketing Director will be responsible for leading and executing.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for Fender in the Asia Pacific region?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does Fender support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the South Korean music industry, and how can this role address them?
- How does Fender foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within its marketing team?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the industry, and to demonstrate their curiosity and engagement.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://boards.greenhouse.io/fender/jobs/6687517?gh_jid=6687517
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your past marketing campaigns and their outcomes
- Demonstrate your understanding of the South Korean market and consumer behavior
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and 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.
