Brand Manager - Specialty Play Group

Summary

This position is responsible for the planning, execution and optimization of marketing initiatives for assigned brands within the Specialty Play Group. This role owns brand positioning, content strategy, digital execution, and marketing technology to drive brand awareness, lead generation, customer engagement, and sales enablement. This position partners closely with product development, sales, digital services, and external partners to ensure consistent, compelling, and effective marketing across all channels. The Brand Manager is accountable for strengthening brand equity while supporting measurable business growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Culture & Brand Stewardship - Promotes the Company's mission and values-based culture through all forms of marketing communication. Demonstrate the core values of the Specialty Play Group division: Hardworking, Helpful, Dedicated and Resourceful. Serves as a brand steward, ensuring consistent messaging, voice, and visual identity across all marketing touchpoints.
2. Marketing Strategy & Planning - Partner with the Director of Marketing to develop and execute annual marketing strategies aligned with business objectives, which include advertising, digital marketing, market-specific programs, trade shows, direct mail, website, annual catalog releases, and strategic partnerships that increase lead generation and in turn annual sales.
3. HubSpot & Marketing Automation Management - Own and manage HubSpot as the primary marketing automation and CRM platform for assigned brands. Develop, execute, and optimize email marketing campaigns, workflows, automation, and audience segmentation. Collaborate with sales and leadership to align lifecycle stages, lead scoring, and campaign attribution. Monitor dashboards and campaign analytics to inform optimization and performance reporting.
4. Lead Generation & Analytics - Support lead generation initiatives through integrated campaigns across digital, email, web, social and tradeshows. Track, analyze, and report on marketing performance including engagement, led quality, conversions and ROI.
5. Digital & Website Management - Manage website content and merchandising in collaboration with digital partners and team members. Ensure website remains current, visually compelling, and supportive of lead capture.
6. New Product Launches - Plan and execute campaigns for launch of new product introductions through creative collateral, website support, media support (photography and video) and press releases all while working in close partnership with cross-functional teams.
7. Content Creation - Develop and execute a content strategy that supports brand storytelling, product education, and sales enablement. Create and oversee production of high-quality content for websites, digital campaigns, social media, catalogs, and editorial platforms.
8. Asset Management - Maintain organized, accurate, and accessible marketing assets for internal team and partners. Plan and manage the distribution of printed and digital marketing materials.
9. Social Media - Manage Social Media outlets by contributing engaging content. Ensure social media is up to date, engaging and easy for distributors to utilize in their marketing efforts while reporting on analytics.
10. Photography - Coordinate photography and video production to support product launches, merchandising, and brand storytelling.
11. Website Maintenance - Work with web developers to keep websites current, running smoothly and merchandised to assist in sales.
12. Sales Support - Support sales team by developing specialized selling tools, catalog pages, PowerPoint presentations and e-merchandising as needed to compete on key projects and for key customers.
13. Public Relations - Create and distribute quarterly press releases for all brands to boost brand awareness for all PR campaigns.
14. Dealer/Regional Marketing Support - Work with partners to provide co-branded content, marketing support and web/marketing reviews.
15. Trade Shows & Events - Partner with the Director of Marketing in planning and execution of branding, merchandising and new product launches for trade events and industry events.
16. Budgeting & Process Management - Partner with the Director of Marketing with budget tracking, vendor coordination and expense approvals. Follow established company approval processes and guidelines.
17. Other duties as assigned by manager.

Competencies

• Analytical Decision-Making
• Communication
• Learning & Development
• Planning & Organizing
• Professionalism & Integrity
• Financial Management
• Risk-Taking/Creative Thinking
• Teamwork & Relationship-Building
• Results Orientation
• EEO Accountability

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in Marketing or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in marketing communications and digital marketing

Travel

20% - Travel will typically be contained to the United States to facilities and trade events

Computer Skills

Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with HubSpot or similar platform. Adobe Creative Suite experience preferred (Photoshop and InDesign).

Other Requirements

• Results oriented team player with high energy, disciplined work ethic and the desire to succeed
• Ability to create clear and concise marketing messages and materials
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment all while multi-tasking and meeting/exceeding deadlines
• Ability to travel and attend trade/training events as needed

Other Skills/Attributes

• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation and computer skills
• An artistic eye and graphic experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate/collaborate across stakeholders

PlayCore and its family of brands considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.