Director, Brand and Product Marketing (14 month contract)

Rakuten Kobo Inc.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company seeks a results-driven Director of Brand and Product Marketing to lead impactful marketing strategies for eReaders and subscriptions. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to define product value propositions and develop cohesive messaging for integrated campaigns. With a focus on brand health and customer engagement, you will drive business growth globally. If you are passionate about shaping marketing initiatives in a dynamic environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible hours and hybrid remote work

Subsidized in-office lunches

Free Kobo device and weekly free e-books/audiobooks

Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions

Dog-friendly office environment

Qualifications

• 8-12 years in product and integrated marketing, preferably in e-commerce.
• 3+ years managing teams, inspiring, coaching, and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Develop tailored value propositions and clear product positioning statements.
• Coordinate product launches with cross-functional teams and execute campaigns.

Skills

Product Marketing

Integrated Marketing

Project Management

Communication Skills

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing

Job description

Director, Brand and Product Marketing (14 month contract)

Join to apply for the Director, Brand and Product Marketing (14 month contract) role at Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Job Description

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc., we offer a casual start-up environment with a team of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees value a strong commitment to work/life balance, fostering an innovative, creative, and passionate workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you’re seeking a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth, join Kobo and help us in our mission to make reading lives better.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced, results-driven Director, Brand and Product Marketing to lead product and brand positioning, messaging strategies, and integrated marketing plans supporting our eReader, subscriptions, and content sales units.

Reporting to the VP, Marketing, you will work closely with research and product teams to define product value propositions and differentiators. You will create comprehensive messaging and positioning documents tailored to various channels and regions, ensuring the Creative Services team can develop effective campaigns that drive business growth globally. For key launches and campaigns, you will collaborate with marketing leads to ensure cohesive messaging across all customer touchpoints, measuring brand and business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Insights/Analysis: Collaborate with research and market leads to understand trends, customer needs, and competitive strategies. Use insights to inform strategic decisions.
2. Product Marketing and Positioning: Develop tailored value propositions and clear product positioning statements that communicate benefits and features to attract and engage customers.
3. Go-to-market Planning: Coordinate product launches with cross-functional teams, partner with creative and external agencies, and execute integrated campaigns across digital, PR, and social channels.
4. Brand: Monitor brand health through annual surveys and craft strategic vision for the Kobo brand in marketing initiatives.
5. Agency Management: Oversee external agencies supporting positioning and campaigns.
6. Sales Enablement: Provide sales and retail teams with impactful materials and develop training resources to enhance customer engagement.
7. Cross-Functional Relationship Building: Work with sales, product, customer service, and product management teams to align marketing efforts with product offerings and customer needs.

Educational Background

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

Professional Experience

• 8-12 years in product and integrated marketing, preferably in e-commerce or consumer tech.
• 3+ years managing teams, inspiring, coaching, and mentoring.
• Proven project management skills with multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Deep understanding of integrated marketing channels and external agency management.

Communication Skills

• Excellent communicator with the ability to engage all levels of the organization and external partners.
• Strong relationship-building skills across teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal skills, confident in presenting to leadership.
• Proficiency in English (verbal and written).

Mindset and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Creative, yet able to manage stakeholder expectations and timelines.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, and proactive in a fast-paced environment.
• Builds strong organizational relationships and fosters collaboration.

The Perks

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote work.
• Subsidized in-office lunches.
• Free Kobo device and weekly free e-books/audiobooks.
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions.
• Dog-friendly office environment.

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. offers over 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million+ customers worldwide. We innovate in digital reading with award-winning e-readers and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is part of the Rakuten group.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.