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Senior Director, Media, Licensing & Partnerships

Ferrara
Full-time
On-site
Chicago, Illinois, United States
๐ŸŒ Digital Marketing

๐Ÿ“Œ Core Information

๐Ÿ”น Job Title: Senior Director, Media, Licensing & Partnerships

๐Ÿ”น Company: Ferrara

๐Ÿ”น Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

๐Ÿ”น Job Type: Hybrid (In-person attendance for most of the workweek is essential)

๐Ÿ”น Category: Media & Partnerships

๐Ÿ”น Date Posted: May 28, 2025

๐Ÿ”น Experience Level: 12+ years

๐Ÿ”น Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

๐Ÿš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Leading media, licensing, and partnership efforts for Ferrara's US & International brands
  • Managing a team to drive strategic planning, data-driven innovation, and media effectiveness
  • Building and managing critical relationships with media agency and key strategic partners
  • Defining Ferrara's annual learning agenda for campaign effectiveness and reapplying learnings across brands
  • Providing thought-leadership on data-driven marketing best practices and evolving Ferrara's approach to media

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high degree of strategic thinking, leadership, and stakeholder management to drive success across multiple brands and markets.

๐Ÿ“‹ Key Responsibilities

โœ… Set the vision for the Media, Licensing and Partnership team, defining, operationalizing, and optimizing best practices to deliver strong ROI and build brand equity

โœ… Identify, develop, and manage critical relationships with media agency and key strategic partners to provide brands with best-in-class programs and competitive advantage

โœ… Demonstrate leadership by effectively influencing, leading, and building partnerships to communicate opportunities, learnings, and recommendations with authority and credibility to key internal & external stakeholders

โœ… Define Ferrara's annual learning agenda for campaign effectiveness, implement measurement plans across the portfolio, and reapply the learnings across brands

โœ… Provide thought-leadership on data-driven marketing best practices and partner with media agency to develop tools and planning processes that use data to inform strategy and activate campaigns

โœ… Reveal a curiosity for consumer & industry trendspotting to continually evolve Ferrara's approach to media to align with consumer needs/expectations and media or technology advancements

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of media channels, data-driven marketing, and the ability to work effectively across various teams and levels.

๐ŸŽฏ Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: 12+ years of hands-on experience leading in-house media teams or in a senior media agency role

Required Skills:

  • Global media experience
  • Proven ability to build relationships and establish influence with marketers, media agency, and/or marketplace
  • Expertise across all media channels (TV, Publishing, Search, Display, Online Video, Mobile, Social, CTV, Retail, etc.)
  • Strong knowledge of media effectiveness tools & methodologies and ability to transfer learnings into actions
  • Portfolio management experience; ability to identify opportunities across brands for scaled efficiencies across multiple brands; results-oriented

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in licensing and partnership programs
  • Fluency in additional languages (Spanish, Mandarin, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in licensing and partnership programs, as well as additional language skills, may have an advantage in this role.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $162,000 to $226,500 annually

Benefits:

  • Paid Time Off
  • Annual Bonus

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with in-person attendance required for most of the workweek

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as performance and company financials.

๐Ÿ“Œ Applicant Insights

๐Ÿ” Company Context

Industry: Ferrara is a leading manufacturer of sugar confections, with a portfolio of over two dozen brands, including SweeTARTSยฎ, Trolliยฎ, BRACH'Sยฎ, and iconic favorites like Lemonheadยฎ and Red Hotsยฎ. The company is focused on being the global leader in the category by leveraging its focus, capabilities, and brand portfolio to drive category development for its community, customers, and consumers.

Company Size: Ferrara has over 4,000 dedicated employees and an operational network of over a dozen locations in North America, including manufacturing, distribution, and R&D facilities. The company is a privately held organization with a headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

Founded: 1908

Company Description:

  • Ferrara is an undisputed leader in sugar confections, with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands
  • The company is focused on driving category development and being the global leader in the category
  • Ferrara has a strong operational network and a commitment to its employees, customers, and consumers

Company Specialties:

  • Confectionery Manufacturing
  • Co-Manufacturing
  • Private Label
  • Food Manufacturing

Company Website: http://www.ferrarausa.com

ASSUMPTION: Ferrara's focus on category development and global leadership makes this an exciting opportunity for candidates looking to make a significant impact in the confectionery industry.

๐Ÿ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Director

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Marketing and oversees a team of Senior Media & Licensing Managers

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (In-person attendance for most of the workweek is essential)

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to grow within the marketing department or across other functions within the organization
  • Opportunity to make a significant impact on Ferrara's global media strategy and brand performance
  • Chance to work with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands and collaborate with cross-functional teams

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a lasting impact on Ferrara's global media strategy and brand performance.

๐ŸŒ Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (In-person attendance for most of the workweek is essential)

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, United States

Geographic Context:

  • Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States and a major hub for the food and beverage industry
  • The city offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and dining opportunities
  • Chicago has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with in-person attendance required for most of the workweek

ASSUMPTION: Chicago offers a vibrant and dynamic work environment, with a strong food and beverage industry and a diverse range of cultural and recreational opportunities.

๐Ÿ’ผ Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application submission
  • Phone or video screen with the HR department
  • In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
  • Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Strategic thinking and vision for Ferrara's media, licensing, and partnership efforts
  • Leadership and stakeholder management skills
  • Expertise in media channels, data-driven marketing, and media effectiveness tools
  • Cultural fit with Ferrara's values and work environment

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Be prepared to discuss your strategic vision for Ferrara's media, licensing, and partnership efforts
  • Demonstrate your leadership and stakeholder management skills through examples from your past experiences
  • Showcase your expertise in media channels, data-driven marketing, and media effectiveness tools

ATS Keywords: Media strategy, licensing, partnerships, global brands, data-driven marketing, media effectiveness, stakeholder management, leadership, confectionery industry

ASSUMPTION: Ferrara's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit for the role and the organization.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Tools & Technologies

  • Media planning and buying platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.)
  • Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, etc.)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, etc.)
  • Collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant media planning, data analysis, project management, and collaboration tools to be successful in this role.

๐Ÿ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Passion for our brands
  • Commitment to our people
  • Focus on results
  • Integrity in all we do
  • Collaboration and teamwork

Work Style:

  • Strategic and forward-thinking
  • Results-driven and action-oriented
  • Collaborative and team-focused
  • Adaptable and resilient

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you align with Ferrara's commitment to its people and passion for its brands?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated strategic thinking and forward-thinking in a media or partnership role?
  • How do you approach collaboration and teamwork, especially when working with cross-functional teams or external partners?

ASSUMPTION: Ferrara values candidates who are passionate about their brands, committed to their people, and focused on results. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate these values through their experiences and align with Ferrara's work style.

โš ๏ธ Potential Challenges

  • Managing a team and driving results across multiple brands and markets
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Keeping up with the rapidly evolving media landscape and consumer trends
  • Balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution and day-to-day management

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a strong leader with excellent stakeholder management, strategic thinking, and adaptability skills.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is unique in its focus on media, licensing, and partnership efforts for Ferrara's global brand portfolio
  • Similar roles in other organizations may have a narrower focus on specific brands, regions, or channels
  • Career progression in this role may lead to senior leadership positions within Ferrara's marketing department or other functions within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on Ferrara's global media strategy and brand performance, with potential growth opportunities within the organization.

๐Ÿ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a global media strategy for Ferrara's brand portfolio
  • Negotiating and managing licensing and partnership agreements with external partners
  • Implementing data-driven marketing best practices and measurement plans across Ferrara's brand portfolio

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and results-driven nature of this role, requiring a strong leader with excellent stakeholder management skills.

โ“ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • How does this role fit into Ferrara's overall marketing strategy and organization structure?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
  • How does Ferrara support the professional development and growth of its employees?
  • What are the key challenges facing Ferrara's media, licensing, and partnership efforts, and how can this role address them?
  • How does Ferrara approach collaboration and teamwork across its marketing department and other functions within the organization?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for professional growth and impact.

๐Ÿ“Œ 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 your interview by researching Ferrara's brand portfolio, media strategy, and industry trends
  • Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions

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