Brand Manager

SkyWater Search; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Europa Eyewear is seeking a Brand Manager to lead consumer brand strategy for eyebobs and American Optical, two iconic eyewear brands with distinct voices and audiences.

Hybrid role based in Chicago or Minneapolis, MN with travel to Minneapolis and industry events. Reports to the Vice President of Marketing and requires 6–8+ years in consumer brand marketing.

Qualifications

• 6–8+ years of brand marketing experience
• Experience owning brand strategy, positioning, and integrated campaign development
• Strong creative eye and experience leading photoshoots and content production
• Hands-on experience across organic social, PR, influencer marketing, and brand partnerships
• Experience marketing across multiple channels (DTC, ecommerce, Amazon, wholesale, retail)
• Ability to use consumer insights, brand health, and performance data to inform decisions
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, establishing distinct brand voices

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the brand positioning and identity for eyebobs and American Optical
• Translate brand strategy into guidelines, messaging frameworks, and seasonal platforms
• Leverage insights and performance data to identify opportunities and strengthen brand positions
• Partner with Product Development for packaging, naming, and assortment strategy
• Lead integrated marketing across DTC, Amazon, wholesale, and retail channels
• Develop assets, messaging, and creative toolkits to support sales
• Maintain brand consistency while growing across channels
• Lead organic marketing, PR, influencer partnerships, and social media
• Oversee campaign concepts, photoshoots, casting, and on-set direction
• Manage budgets, timelines, and cross-functional partnerships

Skills

Brand marketing

Consumer brands

Campaign development

Photoshoots

Content production

Creative direction

Social media

PR partnerships

Influencer marketing

Job description

Brand Manager

Europa Eyewear | eyebobs & American Optical

We have partnered with Europa Eyewear to identify a talented Brand Manager to lead the consumer marketing efforts for two of its most distinctive brands: eyebobs and American Optical.

Founded in 1977, Europa Eyewear is one of the largest independent designers and manufacturers of premium eyewear in the United States. Family-built and proudly independent, the company has grown into a portfolio of more than a dozen distinctive eyewear brands sold through independent eye care professionals nationwide, as well as direct-to-consumer channels.

With manufacturing rooted in Chicago and a deep commitment to supporting independent eye care professionals, Europa brings together a collection of brands with unique histories, personalities, and consumer audiences.

Location: Chicago, IL or Minneapolis, MN | Hybrid, with regular travel to Minneapolis and occasional travel for photoshoots and industry events
Reports to: Vice President of Marketing
Experience: 6–8+ years of consumer brand marketing experience

The Opportunity

Europa is looking for a Brand Manager to lead the consumer brand strategy and marketing efforts for two very different, but equally compelling, eyewear brands: eyebobs and American Optical.

Think of them as two sides of the same category, each with a very distinct point of view.

eyebobs is bold, irreverent, and unapologetically individual. Known for premium readers with personality, the brand has built a following among consumers who aren't afraid to stand out. It's playful, confident, and has never been one to take itself too seriously.

American Optical is an American original. With a heritage dating back to 1833, the brand has a rich manufacturing history and an iconic place in American eyewear culture. Its frames have been worn by pilots, astronauts, and presidents, giving it an authenticity and legacy that few brands can claim.

This is an opportunity for someone who appreciates the nuances of brand building and understands that one marketing playbook doesn't work for everyone.

You'll own the brand strategy for both businesses, translating each brand's identity into meaningful consumer experiences across digital, social, PR, partnerships, retail, and wholesale channels. You'll also lead campaign development, creative direction, and photoshoots from initial concept through execution.

This is a hands-on role for a marketer who loves both the strategic and creative sides of brand building — someone who can develop the big-picture vision but also roll up their sleeves and bring it to life.

What You'll Be Doing

Brand Strategy & Development

• Own and evolve the brand positioning, identity, voice, and consumer strategy for both eyebobs and American Optical.

• Translate brand strategy into actionable guidelines, messaging frameworks, and seasonal creative platforms.

• Leverage consumer insights, competitive intelligence, and brand performance data to identify opportunities and strengthen each brand's position in the marketplace.

• Partner with Product Development to bring the brand story into product collections, naming, packaging, and assortment strategy.

Integrated Marketing & Channel Partnerships

• Partner with DTC, Amazon, wholesale, and retail teams to ensure a cohesive and differentiated brand experience across every consumer touchpoint.

• Translate brand strategy into channel-specific marketing initiatives across ecommerce, Amazon, independent eye care professionals, and retail environments.

• Develop marketing assets, messaging, and creative toolkits that support sales and channel partners.

• Maintain brand consistency and integrity while supporting growth across multiple channels.

PR, Social & Brand Partnerships

• Lead organic marketing efforts for both brands, including PR, influencer and brand partnerships, and organic social media.

• Identify opportunities to build brand awareness through meaningful collaborations, media placements, creator relationships, and cultural partnerships.

• Develop social content strategies, editorial calendars, and community engagement initiatives that reflect each brand's unique personality.

• Track earned and organic performance metrics, using insights to continually refine the approach.

Creative Campaigns & Content Production

• Lead campaign development from initial consumer insight and creative brief through execution and launch.

• Partner closely with creative teams on campaign concepts, photoshoots, casting, locations, shot lists, and on-set direction.

• Build a thoughtful content capture strategy that creates a library of assets to support ongoing marketing efforts.

• Manage campaign budgets, timelines, and cross-functional partnerships, evaluating performance and identifying opportunities to improve future campaigns.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a well-rounded consumer brand marketer who brings a combination of strategic thinking, creative sensibility, and hands-on execution.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• 6–8+ years of brand marketing experience, ideally with consumer-facing brands.

• Experience owning brand strategy, positioning, and integrated campaign development.

• A strong creative eye and experience leading photoshoots and content production in partnership with creative teams.

• Hands-on experience across organic social, PR, influencer marketing, and brand partnerships.

• Experience marketing across multiple channels, such as DTC, ecommerce, Amazon, wholesale, and/or retail.

• The ability to use consumer insights, brand health, and performance data to inform marketing decisions.

• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to establish and maintain distinct brand voices.

The ideal candidate:

• Experience in eyewear, fashion, accessories, apparel, or another design-driven consumer category.

• Experience working with both emerging/challenger brands and established heritage brands.

• Familiarity with Amazon brand content, including A+ content and Brand Stores.

• Experience managing external creative, PR, influencer, or production agency partners.