Director, Brand and Product Marketing (14 month contract)

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported.

If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Director, Brand and Product Marketing to lead product and brand positioning, messaging strategy and integrated marketing plans that support our eReader, subscriptions and content sales business units.

Reporting to the VP, Marketing, the Director, Brand and Product Marketing will work closely with research and product to define product value propositions and differentiators that resonate with our target audiences. They will create comprehensive messaging and positioning documents with channel specificity and regional context to ensure the Creative Services team can deliver against briefs that best connect with customers and help drive business growth in key markets around the world. For key launches and campaign moments, they will work closely with functional marketing leads, and create integrated marketing plans to ensure cohesion of message across customer touch points with measured results on brand and business outcomes.

• Insights/Analysis: Work with research and market leads to understand evolving trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics. Analyze competitor marketing strategies. Utilize insights to inform strategic direction.
• Product Marketing and Positioning/Messaging: Create and refine tailored value propositions that resonate with target audiences. Develop clear and compelling product positioning statements that effectively communicate the unique benefits and features of our offerings to drive customer acquisition and engagement. Ensure creative services team is equipped to answer briefs per strategic direction.
• Go-to-market Planning: Plan and execute product launches, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution. Partner with the internal creative team and external agencies to bring the product positioning to life. Deliver integrated campaigns, working closely with our in-house digital media team, PR and social to ensure a consistent earned/owned/paid voice.
• Brand: Measure brand health via annual survey and continue to craft the strategic vision for how the Kobo brand shows up in marketing initiatives through the year.
• Agency Management: Manage external agency partners as needed to support positioning work and integrated campaigns
• Sales Enablement: Equip Sales and retail marketing teams with impactful and effective materials that enhance their ability to communicate product value. With support of team, Develop training resources and tools that empower teams to engage customers effectively throughout the sales cycle
• Cross-Functional Relationship Building: Work closely with the sales, product, and customer service teams to ensure marketing campaigns align with product offerings and customer needs. Ensure we are always focusing on market and customer needs. Work closely with the product management team to ensure alignment on the product roadmap and packaging strategies.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Commerce, Business, or a related field.

Professional Experience:

• 8-12 years of experience in product marketing and integrated marketing, ideally in e-commerce or consumer technology
• 3+ years of experience in people management – leading others, inspiring, coaching, and mentoring.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects with multiple stakeholders and deliver on deadlines.
• Comprehensive understanding of how different channels (digital, retail, PR etc.) and work together in an integrated campaign.
• Experience managing external agencies with comprehensive briefs, providing creative feedback, and ensuring creative aligns to strategic positioning.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent and clear communicator who works well with all levels of team members – executive and senior management, external partners, cross-functional stakeholders, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships with cross-functional stakeholders – product, digital marketing, retail marketing, creative.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts in a clear and engaging way.
• Confidence in public speaking and presenting to various audiences, including executive leadership.
• Excellent English skills (verbal and written)

Mindset and Attributes:

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Creative thinker with a demonstrated ability to apply ideas strategically, while managing stakeholder alignment and timelines.
• Ability to think strategically, while still understanding how other work streams execute.
• Highly detail-oriented with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Fosters strong relationships throughout an organization.
• Self-motivated and proactive – identifying opportunities and solutions ahead of need.

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• Subsidized in-office lunches
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Dog friendly office

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.
Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.
Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.
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