Vice President of Marketing (Product, Content, Retail)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Vice President of Marketing (Product, Content, Retail)

🔹 Company: Sweetwater Sound

🔹 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, On-site

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: June 20, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading marketing strategies for Sweetwater's product, promotions, retail, and content
• Collaborating with various teams to execute marketing plans
• Optimizing content performance based on data insights
• Driving ongoing excellence and growth in retail and product marketing

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of retail marketing, content strategy, and SEO.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the Sweetwater Product, Promo, Retail, and Content Marketing strategies

✅ Turn strategy into action – developing and overseeing the execution of best-in-class sales driving retail marketing and content that drives awareness, affinity, and engagement, setting the bar for high standards and accountability

✅ Drive close collaboration with Merchandising and Sales team to drive momentum in execution of company-wide sales and marketing plans

✅ Define & track content-specific metrics and make data-informed adjustments to optimize performance, enhance content discovery, and identify new content opportunities – reporting weekly on results

✅ Work in close collaboration with our Director of Content to define, develop, implement the content marketing strategy, content calendars, and delivery of KPIs

✅ Work closely with Merchandising, Product Marketing, Performance Marketing, Brand, Influencer and Social Media teams to ensure alignment with content strategy and business objectives

✅ Prepare and present monthly content performance insights that holistically demonstrate the impact of our content, share video platform best practices, competitive analysis and make actionable recommendations on future content strategies

✅ Editorial requirements include: Deep SEO understanding, content categorization and structure, content development, distribution, and measurement

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of strategic planning, team coordination, and data-driven decision making.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree (MBA preferred) in Marketing, Writing or Visual Communications

Experience: 7+ years experience driving successful content strategy or media production in a retail setting (Music Instruments preferred) with a minimum of 5 years experience leading large creative and technical teams

Required Skills:

• Video production knowledge/experience in a fast-paced corporate environment
• CMS (WordPress), Workflow/Project Management software and Adobe Creative Cloud apps experience (Photoshop, Adobe Premiere)
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills with an ability to present complex data to executive leadership and creative teams alike
• Deep understanding of SEO, performance data and the algorithms behind the (video) platforms we work with – such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
• Excellent leadership, team management, and project management skills

Preferred Skills:

• Passion for pro audio gear & musical instruments
• Experience with retail marketing campaigns

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in content strategy, retail marketing, and team leadership are most likely to succeed in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a VP of Marketing with 7+ years of experience)

Benefits:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement Benefits
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Holidays)

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility for project needs

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a VP of Marketing with the required experience level. Benefits are subject to change and may vary based on employment status.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sweetwater is a leading online retailer of pro audio and musical instruments, serving both professional musicians and enthusiasts.

Company Size: Sweetwater has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: 1979, with a rich history and strong reputation in the music industry

Company Description:

• Sweetwater is committed to giving music makers the ultimate shopping experience
• The company offers a high-performance, stimulating, and fun work environment
• Sweetwater's culture is centered on doing what's right for the customer and providing a personalized, family-oriented philosophy

Company Specialties:

• Pro Audio
• Musical Instruments
• Lessons
• Recording Studio
• Recording
• Guitars
• Music
• Live Sound
• Live Sound Equipment
• Music Gear
• Keyboards
• Piano
• Recording Engineering
• and Drums

Company Website: Sweetwater.com

ASSUMPTION: Sweetwater's focus on customer experience and music-driven culture makes it an attractive place to work for individuals passionate about music and retail.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Executive/Management

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and oversees multiple teams, including Content, Marketing, and Retail

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with flexibility for remote work as needed

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to shape and grow the marketing department
• Opportunities to collaborate with various teams and influence company-wide strategies
• Possibility to advance within the company as Sweetwater continues to expand

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a substantial impact on the company's marketing efforts.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: State-of-the-art campus with modern facilities and amenities

Office Location(s): Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

Geographic Context:

• Fort Wayne is the second-largest city in Indiana, offering a mix of urban and suburban living
• The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a strong focus on music and the arts
• Sweetwater's campus is located near various amenities, including restaurants, shops, and recreational facilities

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility for project needs

ASSUMPTION: Sweetwater's campus provides a modern, collaborative work environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• On-site interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Final interview with the CEO

Key Assessment Areas:

• Marketing strategy and content development skills
• Leadership and team management abilities
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Sweetwater's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing strategy, content development, and leadership skills
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns you've led and the results you've achieved
• Demonstrate your understanding of Sweetwater's business and the music retail industry

ATS Keywords: Marketing Strategy, Content Marketing, SEO, Video Production, Team Leadership, Data Analysis, Project Management, Communication, Retail Marketing, Social Media, Influencer Marketing

ASSUMPTION: Sweetwater's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CMS (WordPress)
• Workflow/Project Management software
• Adobe Creative Cloud apps (Photoshop, Adobe Premiere)
• SEO tools (e.g., Google Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs)
• Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Video hosting and analytics platforms (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant marketing, content creation, and project management tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• WOWs The Customer
• Gets Things Done
• Obsesses over the Details
• Drives Continuous Improvement
• Develops the Future

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Creative and innovative
• Results-focused and accountable

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you possess a deep passion and desire for creating amazing customer and colleague experiences?
• Do you have a great work ethic and move through tasks with a sense of urgency?
• Are you committed to paying attention to the details?
• Are you always focusing on effective and efficient work and ways to get better?
• Are you committed to the pursuit of growing personally and professionally and have a focus on bringing your colleagues along in that journey?

ASSUMPTION: Sweetwater values candidates who are passionate about customer experience, results-driven, and committed to continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large, diverse team with varying skills and backgrounds
• Balancing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Working on-site in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which may require relocation for some candidates

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong leadership, effective communication, and a willingness to adapt and learn.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on both retail marketing and content strategy, requiring a broad range of skills and experience
• Compared to other marketing roles, this position offers a higher level of responsibility and influence over company-wide strategies
• Career path comparison: This role can lead to senior marketing leadership positions or other executive roles within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to shape Sweetwater's marketing efforts and drive growth in multiple areas.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product launch, including retail promotions, content marketing, and social media campaigns
• Optimizing Sweetwater's content marketing strategy to improve search engine rankings, user engagement, and conversion rates
• Collaborating with the merchandising team to create targeted marketing campaigns for specific customer segments

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the breadth of responsibilities and the strategic nature of the role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the marketing department currently, and how can this role address them?
• How does this role collaborate with other departments, such as merchandising and sales, to drive company-wide success?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Sweetwater support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the company's long-term vision for its marketing efforts, and how does this role fit into that plan?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to driving success for Sweetwater.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your marketing strategy, content development, and leadership skills
• Prepare examples of successful marketing campaigns you've led and the results you've achieved
• Demonstrate your understanding of Sweetwater's business and the music retail industry
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

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