📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Strategy and Planning Manager
🔹 Company: ActiveCampaign
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Remote OK)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Implementing and maintaining operational frameworks and planning processes for marketing success
- Managing key marketing programs end-to-end, ensuring clear objectives, milestones, and accountability
- Fostering cross-functional collaboration across Marketing teams
- Leading preparation for Marketing Leadership Team meetings, offsites, and strategic sessions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams. It's ideal for someone with experience in strategic planning, marketing operations, or project management in a B2B SaaS or tech environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Help design and optimize core operating rhythms to drive alignment, accountability, and performance
✅ Manage key marketing programs end-to-end, ensuring clear objectives, milestones, and accountability
✅ Foster cross-functional collaboration across Marketing teams
✅ Lead preparation for Marketing Leadership Team meetings, offsites, and strategic sessions
✅ Manage documentation and knowledge management for marketing strategy and planning
✅ Establish & train teams with best practices for pitching, briefing, and planning
✅ Ensure consistent communication of priorities and progress across teams
✅ Support tracking of marketing investment and reconciliation with budget owners
✅ Identify and analyze resource needs and allocation across marketing initiatives to optimize team effectiveness
✅ Support performance reporting and share of progress against quarterly and annual marketing plans
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration. It requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with various teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-8 years of experience in strategic planning, agency production management, marketing operations, and/or program/project management in a B2B SaaS or tech environment
Required Skills:
- Proven experience with go-to-market strategy, planning cycles, and performance management
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and across functions
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and drive outcomes in fast-moving environments
- Proficiency with tools like Confluence, Asana, Tableau, Smartsheet, or similar for planning and reporting
- A proactive, curious mindset with a passion for enabling performance and driving clarity
- Experience with budget management/tracking
- Analytical skills for performance reporting
- Change management experience
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with marketing automation tools
- Familiarity with the marketing tech stack
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration, candidates should have a strong background in marketing, business, or a related field, with a proven track record of driving marketing success.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $116,000 - $159,500 a year
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
- Open paid time off
- Generous 401(k) matching program
- Quarterly Path Perks
- Access to professional development resources
- Paid sabbatical leave after five years of service
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is a good faith estimate based on the location associated with the job posting. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's skills, experience, and work location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 2003
Company Description:
- ActiveCampaign is an AI-first, end-to-end marketing platform for people at the heart of the action
- It empowers teams to automate their campaigns with AI agents that imagine, activate, and validate
- With AI, goal-based automation, and 950+ app integrations, agencies, marketers, and owners can build cross-channel campaigns in minutes
Company Specialties:
- Email marketing
- Marketing automation
- Sales automation
Company Website: https://www.activecampaign.com
ASSUMPTION: ActiveCampaign is a growing tech company with a strong focus on AI-driven marketing solutions. It's known for its inclusive culture and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Marketing Strategy & Planning
Work Arrangement: On-site (Remote OK) - This role can be performed remotely, but there may be some on-site requirements for collaboration and meetings
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a senior leadership role within the Marketing Strategy & Planning team
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives
- Access to professional development resources and LinkedIn Learning
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a real impact on the company's marketing strategy and success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (On-site and Remote)
Office Location(s): Chicago, IL; Dublin, IE; Sydney, AU
Geographic Context:
- Chicago, IL: Known for its vibrant tech scene, diverse culture, and midwestern values
- Dublin, IE: A major tech hub with a strong focus on innovation and growth
- Sydney, AU: A global city with a thriving tech industry and a multicultural population
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with some flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at ActiveCampaign is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on employee growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the Hiring Manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the Marketing Strategy & Planning team
- Final interview with the Director of Marketing Strategy & Planning
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
- Project management and organizational skills
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic planning, marketing operations, and project management experience
- Include specific examples of your go-to-market strategy, planning cycle, and performance management experience
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects
ATS Keywords: Marketing Strategy, Planning, Operations, Project Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Performance Management, Budget Management, Change Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at ActiveCampaign is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, as well as their ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Confluence
- Asana
- Tableau
- Smartsheet
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., ActiveCampaign, HubSpot, Marketo)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the company's current tech stack and the candidate's areas of expertise.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Start with why
- Make it happen
- Collaborate and connect
- Embrace diversity
- Practice ownership
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-focused and action-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with ActiveCampaign's company values and work style?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Do you have experience working with cross-functional teams and managing multiple projects?
ASSUMPTION: ActiveCampaign values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. Candidates who align with these values and have experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment are likely to be a good fit for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Navigating a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment
- Working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders with varying priorities and expectations
- Adapting to new tools and technologies as the company grows and evolves
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in fast-growing tech companies and can be mitigated by strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Marketing Operations Manager or a Strategic Planning Manager in a B2B SaaS or tech company
- However, it places a stronger emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and managing multiple projects
- Career progression may involve moving into a senior leadership role within the Marketing Strategy & Planning team
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other marketing operations and strategic planning roles, its focus on cross-functional collaboration and project management sets it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new marketing operating model to drive alignment, accountability, and performance
- Managing a cross-functional marketing program to launch a new product or feature
- Optimizing marketing processes and workflows to improve efficiency and effectiveness
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to give candidates an idea of the types of initiatives they may work on in this role. The specific projects may vary depending on the company's current priorities and the candidate's areas of expertise.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current marketing operating model and how this role will contribute to its evolution?
- How does this role collaborate with other marketing teams and stakeholders to drive success?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does ActiveCampaign support the growth and development of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexibility?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates 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 this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic planning, marketing operations, and project management experience
- Prepare for the interview by researching ActiveCampaign's company values, work style, and industry trends
- Follow up with the Hiring Manager after the interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions
- If selected for the final round, be prepared to present a sample marketing plan or project plan that demonstrates your strategic thinking and planning skills
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
