📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Lead
🔹 Company: Outset
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-11
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and refining Outset's brand voice and messaging
- Driving new channel growth through experimentation and iteration
- Laying the foundation for the marketing function, including processes, playbooks, and KPIs
- Owning the live events strategy and accelerating sales and customer success
- Building and nurturing community within the industry
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of independence and adaptability, as the first full-time marketing hire at a growing startup.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and refining Outset's brand voice and messaging
✅ Driving new channel growth through experimentation, iteration, and measurement
✅ Laying the foundation for the marketing function, including processes, playbooks, systems, instrumentation, and KPIs
✅ Owning the live events strategy, including planning, execution, and measurement
✅ Accelerating sales and customer success through effective messaging, materials, case studies, and tools
✅ Building and nurturing community within the industry through content, events, and engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role may evolve over time as the company grows and changes.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5+ years of experience in marketing at a B2B SaaS company
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of driving growth through experimentation and iteration
- Experience building and managing marketing infrastructure, processes, and tools
- Strong event management skills, with experience planning and executing live events
- Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to translate a brand's voice into clear, concise messaging
- Data-oriented mindset, with a strong bias for action and independent operation
- Prior experience at startups is preferred
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with AI or machine learning technologies
- Fluency in multiple languages
ASSUMPTION: While traditional marketing experience is helpful, curiosity, experimentation, and data-orientation are more important for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Marketing Lead with 5-10 years of experience in San Francisco)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Unlimited PTO
- Flexible work hours
- Professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with the expectation to work on-site 4 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development, specifically AI-powered qualitative research platforms
Company Size: Small (11-50 employees), which means a high degree of autonomy and impact on the company's growth and success
Founded: 2022, with a short but impressive history of growth and success
Company Description:
- Outset is an AI-moderated research platform that uses ChatGPT to conduct in-depth interviews at scale
- The company is backed by Y Combinator and other top investors
- Outset enables researchers to uncover the 'why' behind participant responses, driving better decision-making
Company Specialties:
- AI-driven qualitative research
- ChatGPT integration for scalable interviews
- B2B SaaS marketing
Company Website: https://www.outset.ai/
ASSUMPTION: Outset's focus on AI and innovation makes it an exciting place to work for candidates interested in cutting-edge technology and rapid growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with the potential for significant growth and impact on the company's success
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the CEO, with the opportunity to build and lead a marketing team in the future
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with the expectation to work on-site 4 days per week
Growth Opportunities:
- As the first full-time marketing hire, there is significant potential for growth and advancement within the marketing function
- The company's rapid growth also presents opportunities for career growth within the organization
- The role's focus on experimentation and iteration provides opportunities for professional development and skill-building
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates to make a significant impact on a growing startup and build a career in marketing.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: In-person, with a requirement to work on-site 4 days per week
Office Location(s): San Francisco, California, United States
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem
- The city offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences
- The office is located in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with the expectation to work on-site 4 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides the best of both worlds, allowing for collaboration and connection in the office while also offering flexibility for remote work.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the CEO
- In-depth marketing assessment, including a case study or project
- On-site interview with the CEO and other team members
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing strategy and channel expertise
- Brand development and messaging
- Event planning and execution
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing experience and achievements
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to experimentation, iteration, and data-driven decision-making
- Showcase your writing skills by submitting a well-crafted cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of Outset's brand and values
ATS Keywords: Marketing Lead, B2B SaaS, Brand Development, Channel Growth, Event Management, Sales Acceleration, Customer Success, Community Building, AI, Machine Learning, ChatGPT
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will be rigorous and competitive, with a strong focus on assessing the candidate's marketing expertise and cultural fit.
🛠️ 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., Google Analytics, SEMrush)
- Event planning and management software (e.g., Eventbrite, Cvent)
ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Lead will be expected to have experience with a range of marketing tools and technologies, as well as the ability to learn and adapt to new platforms as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Customer-centricity
- Collaboration
- Continuous learning
- Integrity
Work Style:
- Data-driven and experimental
- Adaptable and flexible
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Independent and self-motivated
- Results-focused and action-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities and goals may change rapidly?
- Are you comfortable working independently and making data-driven decisions with limited guidance?
- Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse team and contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Outset's culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a strong focus on customer-centricity. Candidates who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are passionate about driving growth through experimentation and iteration will be a strong fit for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require travel up to 25% of the time, which could be challenging for candidates who prefer to work remotely full-time
- The company is growing rapidly, which may present challenges in terms of prioritization, decision-making, and adaptability
- The role may require working with complex AI and machine learning technologies, which could present a learning curve for candidates without prior experience
- The competitive nature of the tech industry may present challenges in terms of attracting and retaining top talent
ASSUMPTION: While there may be challenges associated with this role, the opportunity to make a significant impact on a growing startup and work with cutting-edge technology makes it an attractive and rewarding position.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position requires a high degree of independence and adaptability, as the first full-time marketing hire at a growing startup
- The role's focus on experimentation and iteration sets it apart from more traditional marketing positions, which may be more focused on execution and optimization
- While the role reports directly to the CEO, there is significant potential for growth and advancement within the marketing function and the organization as a whole
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for candidates to make a significant impact on a growing startup and build a career in marketing, with the potential for significant growth and advancement.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new AI-driven research product
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform marketing strategy and messaging
- Planning and executing a large-scale industry event to drive brand awareness and customer acquisition
- Creating and implementing a marketing automation workflow to nurture leads and drive revenue growth
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of the Marketing Lead's responsibilities, as well as the opportunity for significant impact on the company's growth and success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Outset plan to scale its marketing function in the coming years, and what opportunities exist for growth and advancement within the team?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the company in the next 12-24 months, and how can the Marketing Lead contribute to addressing them?
- How does Outset's culture support innovation and experimentation, and what resources are available to help the Marketing Lead succeed in driving growth through these approaches?
- What are the key priorities for the Marketing Lead in the first 30, 60, and 90 days in the role?
- How does Outset approach diversity, equity, and inclusion, and what initiatives are in place to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the cultural fit, as well as to demonstrate their interest and engagement in the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/outset/b3cb442b-95fc-4194-8b07-dca0f9397c7b
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing experience and achievements, with a focus on experimentation, iteration, and data-driven decision-making
- Prepare a well-crafted cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of Outset's brand and values, as well as your approach to driving growth through marketing
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to marketing strategy, channel growth, event management, sales acceleration, and community building during the interview process
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the opportunity
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
