📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Program Manager, Direct Marketing
🔹 Company: Fairstone Bank
🔹 Location: London, Ontario (with hybrid work arrangement)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-8 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing Fairstone's direct marketing program, focusing on lead processing for mail, email, and outbound calling
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experience and drive marketing strategies for customer acquisition and retention
- Developing and executing plans, meeting deadlines, and operating under tight time constraints
- Working with vendors, managing invoicing, payments, compliance, and annual reviews
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strong project management skills, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and vendors.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage lead processing for mail, email, and outbound calling marketing programs
✅ Drive direct marketing program strategies and develop plans focused on new customer acquisition and current customer retention
✅ Manage lead quality, scoring, and offer distribution, working with cross-functional teams to ensure offers are accurate and timely
✅ Conduct execution of cross-sell strategies via direct marketing channels
✅ Collaborate with multiple teams to enhance the customer experience
✅ Direct team in implementing direct marketing programs and projects that support marketing objectives for volume/production, revenue, profit, and customer experience and satisfaction
✅ Collaborate with Product, Analytics, Technology, and other cross-functional teams to size, prioritize, and develop projects and initiatives
✅ Own channel reporting and interpretation of program metrics to assess and improve channel performance against goals (ROI and KPIs)
✅ Manage vendor onboarding, invoicing, payments, compliance, and annual reviews
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on project management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive marketing success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree, college degree, or equivalent experience in marketing, print production, or a related field
Experience: 5-8 years of experience in lead management, print marketing, print production, or a related field
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in multi-channel marketing, including print (direct mail), email, and outbound calling
- Strong project management and budget management experience
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and issue resolution skills
- Proven ability to effectively work with team members, cross-functional teams, and vendors
- French language skills (asset)
- Financial services industry background (asset)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with marketing automation tools
- Knowledge of marketing analytics and data-driven decision-making
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in lead management, print marketing, or a related field, along with strong project management and communication skills, are well-suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $110,000 CAD per year (based on industry standards for a Program Manager role in the financial services sector in Ontario)
Benefits:
- 37.5-hour workweek with a hybrid model (3 days in-office)
- Tailored well-being solutions available 24/7
- Minimum 15 paid vacation days, 6 wellness days, with federal holidays
- Paid Volunteer Day to give back to the community
- Employee and employer contribution pension plan, plus the Fairstone Retirement Savings Plan
- Access to Fairstone Academy for comprehensive training and skill development
- Exclusive access to discounted products and services, including car insurance, hotels, attractions, movies, gym memberships, and more
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement)
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: Financial Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (large organization with established processes and resources)
Founded: 1926 (with a rich history and extensive experience in the financial services sector)
Company Description:
- Fairstone is Canada’s leading alternative lending bank, offering innovative, accessible, and reliable financial solutions
- The company provides a diverse suite of products, including residential and commercial mortgages, consumer deposits and GICs, credit cards and rewards programs, retail financing and automobile financing, personal loans, and digital lending
- Fairstone is committed to providing exceptional customer service and fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives drive innovation and excellence
Company Specialties:
- Personal loans
- Home Improvement Loans
- Debt Consolidation
- Mortgage
- Consumer Financing
- Automobile Financing
- Retail point-of-sale Financing
Company Website: www.fairstone.ca
ASSUMPTION: Fairstone's extensive experience in the financial services sector and commitment to customer service make it an attractive employer for candidates seeking a stable and growth-oriented work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (with opportunities for growth and career advancement)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director, Marketing
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into senior marketing roles or management positions
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and gain exposure to various aspects of marketing and the financial services industry
- Access to Fairstone Academy for professional development and skill-building
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a large and established organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (with a mix of in-office and remote work)
Office Location(s): London, Ontario (with the possibility of occasional travel to other Fairstone offices)
Geographic Context:
- London, Ontario, is a mid-sized city with a population of approximately 383,000 people
- The city offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with a variety of cultural attractions, recreational activities, and outdoor spaces
- London has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility, allowing employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the marketing team
- Final interview with the director or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing expertise and experience
- Project management skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and analytical abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Fairstone's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills
- Demonstrate your understanding of Fairstone's business and the role's requirements in your application materials
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
- Research Fairstone's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
ATS Keywords: Direct Marketing, Program Manager, Lead Management, Print Marketing, Email Marketing, Outbound Calling, Project Management, Marketing Strategy, Customer Acquisition, Customer Retention, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Vendor Management, Marketing Analytics
ASSUMPTION: Fairstone's application process is designed to assess candidates' marketing expertise, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot, or similar)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or similar)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with marketing automation tools, CRM software, and project management tools is beneficial for this role, as they are commonly used in marketing departments.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric: We put our customers first in everything we do
- Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency in all our interactions
- Respect: We value and appreciate the diversity of our team members and customers
- Accountability: We take ownership of our responsibilities and deliver on our commitments
- Collaboration: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's success
Work Style:
- Results-driven: Fairstone values employees who take initiative, set clear goals, and deliver measurable results
- Adaptable: The company seeks team members who can thrive in a dynamic and changing environment
- Team-oriented: Fairstone fosters a collaborative work culture where employees support and learn from one another
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving marketing results and exceeding targets?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment and managing your time effectively?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative team setting and enjoy working with diverse stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: Fairstone values candidates who align with their core values and work style, as this fosters a positive and productive work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and vendors
- Adapting to changes in marketing strategies and priorities
- Working with limited resources or budget constraints
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in marketing roles and can be overcome with strong project management skills, effective communication, and a results-driven approach.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other marketing roles, this position places a greater emphasis on project management and vendor management
- In the financial services industry, marketing roles often require a strong understanding of financial products and services, as well as relevant regulations and compliance requirements
- Career progression in marketing roles can lead to senior management positions, such as Marketing Director or Chief Marketing Officer
ASSUMPTION: Understanding the unique aspects of this role and the marketing landscape in the financial services industry can help candidates tailor their application and prepare for the interview process.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a multi-channel marketing campaign to acquire new customers
- Conducting market research to identify trends and opportunities in the personal loan industry
- Managing a vendor relationship to ensure timely and accurate delivery of marketing materials
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and tasks associated with the Program Manager, Direct Marketing role at Fairstone.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department?
- How does Fairstone support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the marketing department in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does Fairstone measure the success of its direct marketing programs, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important for this role?
- What opportunities exist for collaboration with other departments, such as product, analytics, or technology, in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you better understand the work environment and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: https://fairstone.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/FairstoneCareers/job/London-Ontario/Program-Manager--Direct-Marketing_R22802
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills, as well as your fit with Fairstone's company culture and values
- Prepare for your interview by researching Fairstone's business, the role's requirements, and the marketing landscape in the financial services industry
- Follow up with the hiring manager or the Fairstone HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the interview process
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
