📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Operations Specialist
🔹 Company: Hearst Newspapers
🔹 Location: Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 29, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting sales reps and customer success teams to ensure high-quality creatives and timely campaign launches
- Communicating with clients to gather creative assets, expedite design processes, and enhance advertiser partnerships
- Working in a collaborative, fast-paced, and fluid environment
- Fulfilling additional ad creative and ad operation-related duties as assigned by management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, a customer-focused mindset, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Support the Sales Reps, Customer Success teams, and Clients to ensure delivery of high-quality creatives and on-time launch of marketing campaigns.
✅ Effectively communicate with our internal teams, partners, and clients, in developing on-target messaging for advertisements (including video, digital & print display, email & audio).
✅ Serve as a customer-facing representative of HCMG Advertising Department, to gather creative assets & communicate ad proofs to customers, and suggest best-practice recommendations to improve campaign engagement.
✅ Expedite the design and approval process to meet ad creative deadlines.
✅ Serve as the creative communications and design resource for customers, by educating clients and agencies on critical elements that drive impactful creative.
✅ Deliver a customer-focused experience to our advertisers, enhancing and strengthening the value of their partnerships with our organization.
✅ Fulfill additional Ad Creative and Ad Operation related duties, as assigned by management.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high volume of customer interactions and requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 3+ years of experience in the digital media industry, with a focus on advertising campaign processing, management, and/or fulfillment
Required Skills:
- Proficient with basic Excel
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Solution-oriented mindset
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Customer service and process-driven mindset
Preferred Skills:
- General understanding of digital and print advertising and of how creative elements impact campaign performance
- Experience maintaining relationships with customers, including local, regional, franchise, or national business representatives, advertising agencies, and marketing managers
- Experience working effectively and positively with internal departments (i.e., Sales, Customer Experience, Production & Finance Teams)
- Ability to manage a high volume of customers while maintaining effective communication and diligence
- A passion for digital and print media/marketing as a user and general knowledge of our ad products
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience is assumed to be required for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Marketing Operations Specialist with 3-5 years of experience in the Norwalk, CT area)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for project deadlines)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in the Norwalk, CT area. Benefits are assumed to be standard for a mid-sized company in the publishing industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Newspaper Publishing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Mid-sized)
Founded: 1887
Company Description:
- Hearst Newspapers (HNP) is a leading provider of local and regional news, with a national network of over 75 brands across the United States
- HNP employs over 2,500 employees and serves communities across the country through a comprehensive portfolio of modern local and regional brands, services, and solutions
- HNP is committed to being the most trusted, most respected, and most accurate source of news and information in the communities it serves
Company Specialties:
- Newspaper publishing
- Digital media
- Advertising and marketing services
- News and entertainment
- Commerce
Company Website: JoinHNP.com
ASSUMPTION: Hearst Newspapers is a well-established company with a strong focus on local news and community engagement. Its mid-sized workforce allows for a more personal and collaborative work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (3-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Advertising Department Manager
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work based on project needs
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a senior marketing operations role or management position
- Expansion into other areas of the business, such as digital media or advertising sales
- Professional development through training and workshops
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth within the company, as well as the chance to develop skills in various aspects of marketing and advertising.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office
Office Location(s): 301 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851, US
Geographic Context:
- Norwalk is a city in southwestern Connecticut, located approximately 40 miles from New York City
- The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a population of around 88,000 people
- Norwalk is known for its waterfront parks, historic districts, and diverse cultural scene
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for project deadlines)
ASSUMPTION: Norwalk offers a pleasant living environment with easy access to New York City, making it an attractive location for professionals working in the publishing industry.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the advertising department manager and a team member
- Final interview with the director of advertising
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and customer service mindset
- Problem-solving abilities and adaptability
- Knowledge of digital and print advertising
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in digital media, advertising, and customer service
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required and preferred qualifications
- Prepare examples of how you have successfully managed multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
ATS Keywords: Marketing Operations, Advertising, Campaign Management, Customer Service, Creative Direction, Digital Media, Print Advertising, Client Relations, Project Management, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Excel, Fast-Paced Environment, Deadline Management, Customer Experience
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and applicants should focus on demonstrating their relevant experience and skills in their application materials.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard for the marketing and advertising industry and can be learned or improved upon with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Independence
- Innovation
- Community
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Fast-paced
- Customer-focused
- Adaptable
- Solution-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines?
- Do you have a strong customer service mindset and a passion for digital and print media/marketing?
ASSUMPTION: Hearst Newspapers values employees who are adaptable, collaborative, and customer-focused, with a strong work ethic and a passion for their industry.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of customers and projects simultaneously
- Working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Adapting to changes in workflow and priorities
- Balancing customer service and creative direction responsibilities
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a customer-focused mindset to succeed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other marketing operations roles, this position requires a strong focus on customer service and creative direction
- This role is unique to the newspaper publishing industry, with a focus on local and regional news
- Career progression in this role may involve expanding into other areas of the business, such as digital media or advertising sales
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing operations positions, its focus on customer service and creative direction in the newspaper publishing industry sets it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing a high-volume advertising campaign for a local business
- Collaborating with the sales team to create targeted advertising packages for clients
- Developing and implementing a new process for streamlining ad creative approvals
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse responsibilities and challenges faced by a Marketing Operations Specialist at Hearst Newspapers.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role support the overall goals and mission of Hearst Newspapers?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does the advertising department collaborate with other departments within the company?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development in this role?
- How does Hearst Newspapers support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help applicants better understand the role, the company culture, and the opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the linked job posting
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare for your interview by researching Hearst Newspapers and practicing your responses to common interview questions
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to express your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
