📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Operations Leader
🔹 Company: Kimberly-Clark
🔹 Location: Chicago Commercial Center, Chicago, IL
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic leadership over integrated marketing planning process
- Collaboration with internal and external agencies for consumer-centric planning
- Operational management of marketing processes and projects
- Budget management and cost efficiency optimization
- Performance evaluation and talent management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, operational management, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure effective marketing planning and execution across multiple brands and platforms.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide strategic leadership over the development and execution of the integrated marketing planning process within the Adult & Feminine Care sector
✅ Collaborate with external and internal agencies to ensure effective consumer-centric planning and execution
✅ Manage the sector-level operating rhythm, leading key marketing processes such as annual planning
✅ Oversee project delivery at the sector level, working in partnership with Project Management
✅ Manage sector-level internal and external collaboration, ensuring cross-functional teams are brought in at the right points throughout the project life cycle
✅ Oversee the creative production process in partnership with external resources, ensuring best practices are followed and talent renewals are managed appropriately
✅ Lead the development of agency scopes of work, optimizing staffing models and individual role archetypes
✅ Drive cost efficiencies by negotiating project-based agency scopes as business needs require
✅ Drive the mid-year and end-of-year agency performance evaluation cycle, collaborating across sectors and with Procurement to ensure timing and schedule alignment
✅ Serve as point of contact with sector-level agencies to assist in resolving agency conflicts or performance issues, inclusive of agency talent
✅ If new/additional agency resources are required, research options, in partnership with Global Marketing Operations and Procurement. Responsible for operational training with new agency
✅ Provide leadership support to the Financial Coordinators and brand marketing teams to ensure effective financial tracking, reporting, and compliance with all internal and external financial controls and requirements
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder management, and project coordination to ensure effective marketing planning and execution.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience in marketing programs across multiple platforms on agency or client side
Required Skills:
- Proven history of building high-functioning, cohesive inter-agency teams
- Practical experience with integrated execution to enable effective decision making
- Deep understanding of marketing processes, common agency deliverables, and budget management
- Strong operations management experience across complex organizations, including project management abilities in a leadership role
- Ability to self-manage while managing assigned teams and projects under tight deadlines
- Ability to expertly handle multiple projects and priorities working with various internal and external partners and organizational levels
- Proficient with MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in marketing and operations management
- Strong project management abilities in a leadership role
- Self-motivated and willing to expand knowledge
- Strong Agency Management experience
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in marketing operations, agency management, and project management will be best suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $140,320 - $173,360 USD (Anticipated base pay range for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience.)
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions
- Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents
- Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events
- Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare
Working Hours: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (flexible, with purposeful time in the office and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. The benefits package is comprehensive and designed to support the well-being of employees and their families.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Kimberly-Clark operates in the manufacturing industry, focusing on producing and marketing personal care and health products
Company Size: Kimberly-Clark is a large, global company with over 10,000 employees worldwide
Founded: Kimberly-Clark was founded in 1872 and has a rich history of innovation and growth
Company Description:
- Kimberly-Clark is committed to creating Better Care for a Better World through its iconic brands, such as Huggies®, Kleenex®, and Kotex®
- The company prioritizes sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development for its employees
- Kimberly-Clark fosters a performance-driven culture fueled by authentic caring and a passion for making a difference
Company Specialties:
- Personal care products
- Healthcare products
- Manufacturing and marketing
Company Website: kimberly-clark.com
ASSUMPTION: Kimberly-Clark's large size and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring strategic thinking, operational management, and stakeholder collaboration
Reporting Structure: The Marketing Operations Leader reports directly to the Marketing Director for the Adult & Feminine Care sector
Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with purposeful time in the office and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand responsibilities and impact across multiple brands and sectors
- Opportunities to develop leadership skills and manage teams
- Possibility to transition into a more senior marketing or operations role within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to expand responsibilities and advance within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement, with purposeful time in the office and remote work
Office Location(s): Chicago Commercial Center, Chicago, IL
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a major city with a diverse population and a thriving business community
- The Chicago Commercial Center is conveniently located and offers easy access to public transportation
- The city offers a wide range of cultural, recreational, and entertainment options
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (flexible, with purposeful time in the office and remote work)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing employees to balance the benefits of working from home with the advantages of in-office collaboration and networking.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the marketing director and other key stakeholders
- Final interview with the senior marketing leader
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Operational management and project coordination abilities
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Budget management and cost optimization expertise
- Agency management and collaboration experience
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of marketing operations, agency management, and project management
- Showcase your ability to manage multiple projects and priorities under tight deadlines
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, stakeholder management, and leadership abilities
- Research Kimberly-Clark's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
ATS Keywords: Marketing Operations, Agency Management, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Budget Management, Stakeholder Collaboration, Consumer-Centric Planning, Integrated Marketing
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, operational management, and stakeholder collaboration skills, as well as their cultural fit with the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Marketo)
- Agency management platforms (e.g., Workamajig, Flock)
ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations Leader will need to be proficient in various tools and technologies to effectively manage marketing projects and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Performance-driven and results-oriented
- Collaborative and team-focused
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Customer-centric and consumer-focused
- Committed to sustainability and social responsibility
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple projects and priorities under tight deadlines?
- Do you have experience working with external agencies and managing agency relationships?
- Are you skilled in strategic planning and operational management?
- Do you share Kimberly-Clark's commitment to creating Better Care for a Better World?
ASSUMPTION: Kimberly-Clark values employees who are performance-driven, collaborative, adaptable, and committed to creating a positive impact on consumers and the world around them.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities under tight deadlines
- Collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders with differing priorities and expectations
- Navigating a large, global organization with diverse brands and products
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day operational management
- Adapting to changes in the marketing landscape and consumer behavior
ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations Leader must be able to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities, collaborate with various stakeholders, and adapt to changes in the marketing landscape to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Marketing Operations Manager or a Marketing Program Manager with a strong focus on agency management and project coordination
- Unlike other roles, this position requires a deep understanding of marketing processes, common agency deliverables, and budget management
- Career progression in this role could lead to more senior marketing or operations positions within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on marketing operations, agency management, and project coordination, offering a distinct career path within the organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new integrated marketing planning process for the Adult & Feminine Care sector
- Managing the annual planning process for multiple brands within the sector
- Overseeing the creative production process for a major brand relaunch campaign
- Negotiating project-based agency scopes to optimize staffing models and individual role archetypes
- Driving the mid-year and end-of-year agency performance evaluation cycle, collaborating across sectors and with Procurement
ASSUMPTION:
The Marketing Operations Leader will be involved in various projects that require strategic thinking, operational management, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure effective marketing planning and execution.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the marketing landscape for the Adult & Feminine Care sector and how this role contributes to its success?
- How does this role collaborate with other marketing teams and stakeholders within the organization?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Kimberly-Clark support the growth and development of employees in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, stakeholder management, and leadership abilities
- Research Kimberly-Clark's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
