Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead

🔹 Company: Cantina

🔹 Location: Los Angeles, California, United States (Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (preferably based in Los Angeles)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Defining and implementing marketing strategies that align with business objectives and growth goals
• Optimizing marketing data infrastructure and processes for efficiency and collaboration
• Acting as a unifying force between marketing, product, and community teams
• Driving cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders at all levels

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, operational excellence, and strong leadership skills to succeed in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement marketing strategies that align with business objectives and growth goals

✅ Set measurable marketing objectives and KPIs to ensure clarity in success metrics

✅ Build and implement scalable systems and workflows that improve marketing’s collaboration with product and community teams

✅ Integrate tools and technologies to streamline marketing execution and cross-functional collaboration

✅ Own marketing data infrastructure to ensure robust tracking, reporting, and performance analytics

✅ Develop dashboards and reporting mechanisms for actionable insights into campaign effectiveness, customer acquisition, and retention

✅ Partner with analytics teams to refine attribution models and maximize ROI on marketing spend

✅ Serve as the key bridge between marketing, product, and analytics teams to ensure strategic alignment

✅ Establish feedback mechanisms to integrate insights from product and other teams into marketing strategies

✅ Mentor and develop marketing team members, cultivating a high-performance and collaborative culture

✅ Hire and grow a strong marketing operations team to support organizational growth

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence stakeholders, and drive change. It also involves a meticulous approach to managing operations, data, and processes.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 7+ years of experience in marketing, operations, or strategy roles, with 2+ years of experience managing a team

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of designing and scaling consumer-based processes that enhance collaboration and efficiency
• Proficiency in analytics and reporting tools, with an ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to drive change, influence senior leaders, and hold teams accountable
• Excellent communication, project management, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot CRM)
• Background in social media platforms and AI technologies

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments and a strong understanding of marketing data infrastructure will be particularly well-suited to this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $175,000 - $250,000 per year (for those located in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Seattle, WA)

Benefits:

• Health Care — 99% of premiums for medical, vision, dental are fully paid for by Cantina, plus One Medical membership
• Monthly Wellness Stipend — $500/month
• Rest and Recharge — 15 PTO days per year, 10 sick days, all Federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays
• 401(K) — Eligible to participate on day one of employment
• Parental Leave & Fertility Support
• Competitive Salary & Equity
• Lunch and snacks provided for in-office employees
• WFH equipment provided for full-time hybrid/remote employees

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the specified locations. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, and negotiation.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Cantina is a social platform with an advanced AI character creator, focusing on building, sharing, and interacting with AI bots and friends directly in the Cantina or across the internet.

Company Size: Cantina has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: Cantina was founded in 2023 by Sean Parker, with a mission to shape human creativity and social interactions through AI.

Company Description:

• Cantina is an innovation consultancy headquartered in Boston, with a focus on challenging the status quo and reimagining products and services for a customer-centric age
• The company partners with visionary business leaders to drive new growth and efficiencies for clients’ organizations
• Cantina applies a creative, multidisciplinary approach to create and sustain innovation, transform business-as-usual, and improve the lives of customers and employees

Company Specialties:

• Service Design
• Mobile Applications
• User Experience
• Website Design
• Experience Strategy
• Design Sprints
• User Research
• Technical Planning
• Connected Interfaces
• UI Development
• Prototyping
• Responsive Web
• Technical Design
• IoT Design
• Product-to-Service
• Design Systems
• Inclusive Design
• Connected Systems
• Technology Strategy
• Innovation Strategy
• Brand Design
• Visual Design
• Mobile
• Platforms
• AR & VR
• Product Design
• Digital Transformation
• Design Transformation

Company Website: https://www.cantina.co

ASSUMPTION: Cantina's focus on AI and social platforms makes it a unique and innovative company, offering exciting opportunities for growth and impact in the tech industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring strategic thinking, leadership, and operational excellence.

Reporting Structure: The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead will report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and work closely with cross-functional teams, including product, community, and analytics.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a preference for the candidate to be based in Los Angeles. Cantina has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA, Sunnyvale, CA, and Brooklyn, NY.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Cantina continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead to expand their team and influence the organization's strategic direction
• This role offers the chance to work closely with senior leadership, providing ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• The dynamic and fast-paced nature of Cantina's industry ensures that the Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead will remain at the forefront of marketing innovation and strategy

ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead will play a critical role in shaping Cantina's marketing strategy and driving operational excellence, with ample opportunities for growth and impact.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Cantina's offices are designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation, with a focus on employee well-being and comfort.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA, Sunnyvale, CA, and Brooklyn, NY

Geographic Context:

• Los Angeles is a major hub for the tech industry, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth
• The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility and a better work-life balance
• Cantina's offices are located in vibrant, urban areas with easy access to public transportation, amenities, and cultural attractions

Work Schedule: Cantina operates on a standard business hours schedule, with flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement.

ASSUMPTION: Cantina's offices provide a modern, collaborative work environment that supports the company's focus on innovation and creativity.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager or HR representative
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and relevant team members
• Case study or project presentation, followed by a final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and marketing expertise
• Operational excellence and process improvement skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Data analysis and reporting proficiency
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills

Application Tips:

• Highlight your experience with marketing strategy, operational efficiency, and data analysis in your resume and cover letter
• Tailor your application to demonstrate your understanding of Cantina's mission and values
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills

ATS Keywords: Marketing Strategy, Operational Efficiency, Data Analysis, Cross-Departmental Collaboration, Leadership, Team Development, Process Improvement, Analytics Tools, Stakeholder Influence, Performance Metrics, Campaign Effectiveness, Customer Acquisition, Retention Strategies, Feedback Mechanisms, Scalable Systems, Collaboration

ASSUMPTION: Cantina's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership, and operational excellence skills, with a focus on cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
• CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot CRM)
• Analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead will be expected to have proficiency in relevant marketing, analytics, and project management tools, with a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation: Cantina values creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning
• Collaboration: Cantina fosters a culture of teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect
• Customer-centricity: Cantina prioritizes understanding and meeting the needs of its users and customers

Work Style:

• Strategic: Cantina values strategic thinking, planning, and execution
• Data-driven: Cantina makes decisions based on data and analytics, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Agile: Cantina embraces change, adapts quickly, and learns from failures

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments, and are you comfortable with ambiguity and change?
• Are you skilled at building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams?
• Do you have a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives and influencing senior leaders?
• Are you comfortable working with data and analytics to inform decision-making and improve performance?

ASSUMPTION: Cantina's culture values innovation, collaboration, and customer-centricity, with a focus on strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and agility. Candidates who align with these values and work styles will be well-suited to the Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Cantina is a fast-growing startup, which can present challenges in terms of organizational structure, resources, and decision-making processes
• The hybrid work arrangement may require additional communication and collaboration efforts to maintain a cohesive team dynamic
• The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead role involves a broad range of responsibilities, which can be challenging to balance and prioritize
• Cantina's focus on AI and social platforms may require the Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead to stay up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies and trends

ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead will need to be adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable with ambiguity to succeed in Cantina's fast-paced, high-growth environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional marketing roles, the Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead at Cantina requires a strong focus on operational efficiency, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration
• Cantina's focus on AI and social platforms sets it apart from other marketing roles, with a unique emphasis on innovation, creativity, and user experience
• Career paths in marketing operations and strategy can vary widely, depending on the organization's size, industry, and growth stage. At Cantina, this role offers the opportunity to shape the marketing organization's strategy and drive operational excellence in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead role at Cantina is unique in its focus on AI and social platforms, requiring a blend of strategic thinking, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a marketing data infrastructure to track, report, and analyze campaign performance, customer acquisition, and retention
• Streamlining marketing workflows and processes to improve collaboration with product and community teams
• Conducting a comprehensive audit of Cantina's marketing technology stack and making recommendations for optimization and integration

ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations & Strategy Lead will be involved in a wide range of projects, from strategic planning and data analysis to process improvement and cross-functional collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current marketing technology stack and any plans for expansion or optimization?
• How does Cantina approach cross-functional collaboration, and what are the key priorities for this role in terms of working with product and community teams?
• What are the most significant challenges facing Cantina's marketing organization, and how does this role address them?
• How does Cantina support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for success in this role, and how will progress be measured and evaluated?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your understanding of Cantina's mission, values, and priorities.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience with marketing strategy, operational efficiency, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
• If selected for an in-depth interview, be prepared to present a case study or project that demonstrates your approach to marketing strategy, data analysis, and process improvement
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications for the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.