- Developing and executing vertical marketing strategies tailored to specific industry verticals
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive and effective marketing campaigns
- Driving active collaboration with Walmart Connect executive leadership and internal clients to align vertical marketing strategies with broader business goals
- Managing a team and fostering a positive team culture that aligns with Walmart values
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of vertical marketing and brand management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies tailored to specific industry verticals
- Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges within each vertical
- Collaborate with the Group Director of Enterprise Marketing to develop both short- and long-term visions for vertical marketing initiatives
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Foster strong partnerships with key cross-functional teams, including sales, product marketing, corporate communications, growth marketing, and Walmart events and shows team
- Drive active collaboration with Walmart Connect executive leadership and internal clients to align vertical marketing strategies with broader business goals
- Marketing Execution:
- Develop compelling presentations and sales narratives that highlight Walmart Connect’s ad products and launches, targeting specific industry cohorts and category verticals
- Create and oversee effective ad campaigns with innovative creative and strategic media buys, including rigorous testing plans for optimization
- Produce high-quality sales enablement materials such as sizzle videos, case studies, one-sheets, and more to support revenue growth
- Develop and manage content marketing strategies that drive engagement and conversion, ensuring alignment with overall brand messaging and goals
- Manage the footprint of industry events, including activations at major conferences and Walmart Connect’s owned and operated events
- Team Culture and Development:
- Lead and cultivate a positive team culture that aligns with Walmart values, driving team satisfaction and engagement
- Implement plans to coach, motivate, and develop team members, providing clarity on personal goals and growth plans
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills to effectively manage and motivate a team.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field
- Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in vertical marketing or industry-specific marketing roles, preferably within a major media platform or advertising agency
- 1 year of supervisory experience or experience leading cross-functional projects
- Required Skills:
- Proven experience in leading and managing marketing teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with executive presence and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute marketing strategies that drive measurable results and enhance brand value
- Experience in producing and managing events and content for conferences, presentations, and stage shows
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience in leading cross-functional projects
- Masters: Business Administration
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in vertical marketing and a proven track record of driving cross-functional partnerships are ideal for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $132,000 - $264,000 per year
- *Assumption:* The salary range is competitive for a Director-level role in the Marketing field, considering the experience level and industry standards for the New Jersey area.
- Benefits:
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k), stock purchase, and company-paid life insurance
- Paid time off (PTO), including sick leave, holidays, and other purposes
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Company discounts, military leave pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more
- Live Better U: Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Retail
- *Assumption:* Walmart is a well-established retail corporation with a significant global presence and a strong focus on customer value and innovation.
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees
- *Assumption:* As a large corporation, Walmart offers extensive resources, diverse career opportunities, and a well-structured organizational hierarchy.
- Founded: 1962
- *Assumption:* Walmart's long history in the retail industry reflects its stability, resilience, and continuous evolution.
- Company Description:
- Walmart Connect is Walmart’s advertising platform for brands, uniquely designed to reach hundreds of millions of U.S. shoppers across their entire shopping journey. It connects billions of shopping behaviors to real transactions (both online and in-store), helping marketers truly understand how their marketing drives results.
- Walmart’s mission is to save people money so they can live better. This commitment to customers is reflected in its wide range of products, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service.
- Company Specialties:
- Technology, transportation, logistics, merchandising, marketing, operations, health & wellness, eCommerce, and management
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Director
- *Assumption:* This role is at the Director level, reporting directly to the Group Director of Enterprise Marketing and overseeing a team of marketing professionals.
- Reporting Structure:
- The Director of Vertical Marketing reports directly to the Group Director of Enterprise Marketing and is responsible for leading a team of marketing professionals.
- Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time
- *Assumption:* This role requires on-site presence at the Hoboken, NJ office, with a standard full-time work arrangement.
- Growth Opportunities:
- Career progression within Walmart Connect’s marketing department or broader Walmart organization
- Opportunities to expand leadership and management skills through team development and cross-functional collaboration
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Corporate headquarters
- *Assumption:* The Hoboken, NJ office is one of Walmart’s corporate headquarters, offering a professional and collaborative work environment.
- Office Location: 221 River St, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
- *Assumption:* The Hoboken office is conveniently located near public transportation, with nearby amenities and dining options.
- Geographic Context:
- Hoboken, NJ is a densely populated urban area with a diverse cultural scene, offering various entertainment, dining, and recreational opportunities.
- The office is situated in the New York City metropolitan area, providing easy access to additional cultural and professional resources.
- Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with flexibility for remote work or hybrid arrangements not specified
- *Assumption:* The work schedule is typical for a full-time on-site role, with flexibility for remote work or hybrid arrangements not explicitly stated in the job description.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interviews with hiring managers and team members
- Final round interviews with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
- Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and marketing expertise
- Leadership and team management skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Walmart values
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing experience, leadership skills, and industry-specific knowledge
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on leadership, team management, and strategic marketing initiatives
- Research Walmart Connect’s advertising platform and vertical marketing strategies to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
- Company Values:
- Customer obsession
- Ownership and accountability
- Agility and adaptability
- Inclusion and diversity
- Sustainability
- Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Innovative and adaptable
- Results-focused and action-oriented
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Walmart’s core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to significant changes in a project or work environment. How did you approach this situation, and what was the outcome?
- How have you fostered a positive and inclusive team culture in your previous roles, and what specific actions have you taken to support diversity, equity, and inclusion?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Role-specific challenges:
- Balancing multiple marketing initiatives and priorities for various industry verticals
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across different departments and locations
- Managing a team with diverse skills and backgrounds, ensuring consistent performance and growth opportunities
- Company-specific challenges:
- Working in a large, matrixed organization with complex decision-making processes and multiple stakeholders
- Navigating a competitive retail landscape and evolving consumer behavior
- Maintaining a strong company culture and employee engagement in a rapidly changing business environment
- Industry-specific challenges:
- Keeping up with technological advancements and digital marketing trends
- Addressing data privacy concerns and regulatory changes in the marketing industry
- Measuring and optimizing marketing campaign performance across various channels and touchpoints
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- How this role differs from related positions:
- Focuses on vertical marketing strategies for specific industry cohorts, rather than broad-based marketing campaigns
- Requires a deep understanding of industry-specific trends, opportunities, and challenges
- Emphasizes strategic partnerships and cross-functional collaboration to drive cohesive marketing campaigns
- Industry-specific context:
- Vertical marketing strategies are crucial for reaching targeted audiences and maximizing marketing effectiveness in the retail industry
- Understanding industry-specific trends and consumer behavior is essential for developing tailored marketing campaigns that drive results
- Career path comparison:
- This role offers a clear path for career progression within Walmart Connect’s marketing department or broader Walmart organization
- Opportunities for growth and development may include expanding leadership and management skills, taking on additional responsibilities, or transitioning to related marketing roles
📝 Sample Projects
- Project example 1 (specific to this role): Developing and executing a targeted marketing campaign for the consumer electronics vertical, focusing on back-to-school promotions and seasonal trends
- Project example 2 (specific to this industry): Conducting market research and analysis to identify emerging trends in the home goods vertical and developing strategic marketing initiatives to capitalize on these opportunities
- Project example 3 (specific to reported responsibilities): Creating and managing a content marketing strategy for the apparel vertical, focusing on seasonal collections, promotions, and brand storytelling
💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Role-specific questions:
- How do you approach developing and executing vertical marketing strategies for specific industry cohorts?
- Can you describe a successful cross-functional collaboration project you’ve led, and what was the outcome?
- How do you ensure that marketing campaigns align with overall brand messaging and goals, while still targeting specific industry verticals?
- Company-specific questions:
- How does this role fit into Walmart Connect’s broader marketing strategy, and how do you see it contributing to the company’s overall success?
- What are some of the most significant challenges facing the marketing department, and how can this role help address them?
- Growth opportunities and work environment questions:
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the broader Walmart organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance for its employees, and what resources are available to help manage workload and stress?
📝 Key Questions to Ask During Interview (continued)
- Cultural fit and team dynamics questions:
- How would you describe the team culture and dynamics within the marketing department, and how do you plan to contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment?
- What steps do you take to foster collaboration and communication within your team, and how do you handle conflicts or disagreements?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://walmart.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Non-WorkdayInternal/job/Hoboken-NJ/XMLNAME--USA--Director--Marketing-Planning-And-Strategy--Vertical-Marketing_R-2174366)
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing experience, leadership skills, and industry-specific knowledge
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on leadership, team management, and strategic marketing initiatives
- Research Walmart Connect’s advertising platform and vertical marketing strategies to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the position and reiterate your qualifications
- If you receive an offer, negotiate your salary and benefits package based on industry standards and your unique qualifications and experience
