Direct Mail Channel Manager

Amba; Urbandale (IA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Annual bonus program

401k matching

Generous time off

Volunteer day off

Professional development

Business casual dress code

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

AMBA is seeking a Direct Mail Channel Manager to own the end-to-end execution of our direct mail channel. You will coordinate across Marketing, Creative, Compliance, Product, Data, IT, Operations, Finance, and USPS, ensuring campaigns run on time and in compliance.

In this role, you will manage timelines, production, and vendor relationships, with responsibility growing to budgets and channel planning over time. This position offers a growth trajectory in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on direct mail production or campaign operations.
• Knowledge of mail class, indicia, USPS standards, and data file prep.
• Experience with direct mail testing concepts and rollout analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple campaigns in deadline-driven environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and Outlook.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end production workflow for multiple direct mail campaigns (creative hand-off through data submission, print production, lettershop, and in-home delivery).
• Manage timelines, vendor deadlines, mail class selection, indicia accuracy, USPS requirements, and in-home date planning.
• Maintain detailed campaign trackers and status documentation across all projects.
• Anticipate production risks and resolve issues proactively to protect delivery and compliance.
• Ensure campaigns are executed accurately, on time, and in full compliance with brand, legal, and regulatory standards.
• Serve as primary operational liaison across Marketing, Creative, Compliance, Product, Data, IT, Operations, Finance, and USPS.
• Establish and lead recurring workstream meetings with documented actions, decisions, risks, and follow-ups.
• Drive commitments across teams and manage dependencies diplomatically.
• Navigate competing priorities with a collaborative, solutions-first approach.
• Represent the Director in meetings; deliver concise debriefs and status updates.

Skills

Direct mail production

Campaign operations

Project management

Excel

Outlook

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

AMBA was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of its 2026-2027 Best Companies to Work For.

AMBA is seeking a talented Direct Mail Channel Manager to join our growing Marketing Team! We are looking for someone with detail-oriented skills who thrives in an agile, team-oriented environment.

About AMBA

Since 1981, AMBA has been a trusted provider of essential coverage for retired public servants nationwide. Our reach extends to diverse groups, including hardworking public employees, state retirees, educators, military personnel, trade professionals, firefighters, law enforcement, Unions, Alumni groups, Allied Healthcare, and other non-profit associations. As a full-service marketing and membership development company, we proudly offer outstanding insurance services to our vast network of 44 million members across 450+ associations in all 50 states.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, spending accounts, and other voluntary benefits.
• Annual Bonus Program.
• Corporate 401k Matching.
• Generous time off, 10 paid company holidays, sick time off, and paid parental leave.
• Community Involvement perks, including 1 paid day off each year to volunteer with a local charity of your choice and company volunteer events.
• Support & development to cultivate your knowledge and continuing education to support your professional designations
• Business casual dress code.
• Hybrid work arrangement, working in office Monday-Thursday and remotely on Fridays.

About the Role

This is a direct mail execution role - not a people management role, and not a digital marketing role.

If you have managed print production timelines, coordinated with lettershops, navigated USPS postal requirements, and kept multi-campaign programs on track under real deadline pressure - this role was written for you.

The Direct Mail Channel Manager partners with the Director of Direct Mail Channel Management to own the end-to-end execution of AMBA's direct mail channel. This individual serves as the operational hub of the channel - coordinating across Marketing, Creative, Compliance, Product, Data, IT, Operations, Finance, and USPS, as well as print and mail vendors.

This role manages campaigns, timelines, and vendors. There are no direct reports.

This role is designed for growth. Year 1 is execution mastery and credibility-building. Year 2 expands into budget ownership and vendor negotiations. Year 3 moves into channel strategy and annual planning. The pace is merit-driven - there is no fixed timeline.

Success is measured by execution excellence: campaigns launched on time and in compliance, risks identified and resolved before they become problems, stakeholders aligned and informed, and vendors held to high standards of quality and timeliness. Over time, this person will grow into a strategic partner with ownership of budgets, vendor negotiations, and channel planning.

The Day-to-Day

Campaign Execution & Production Management

• Own end-to-end production workflow for multiple simultaneous direct mail campaigns - from creative hand-off through data file submission, print production, lettershop, and in-home delivery
• Manage campaign timelines, vendor deadlines, mail class selection, indicia accuracy, USPS postal requirements, and in-home date planning with precision
• Maintain detailed campaign trackers and status documentation across all concurrent projects
• Anticipate production risks and resolve issues proactively - before they affect campaign delivery or compliance
• Ensure all campaigns are executed accurately, on time, and in full compliance with brand, legal, and regulatory standards

Direct Mail Testing & Optimization

• Plan and execute direct mail test panels - including package testing (outer envelope vs. self-mailer, format, size), offer testing, copy and messaging variants, and control vs. challenger structures
• Coordinate list segmentation and audience targeting in collaboration with data and analytics teams to support test integrity and rollout readiness
• Track test cell performance and compile results with enough structure for the team to draw clear conclusions and make informed rollout decisions
• Apply testing knowledge to continuous campaign improvement

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary operational liaison across Marketing, Creative, Compliance, Product, Data, IT, Operations, Finance, and USPS
• Establish and lead recurring workstream meetings - documenting action items, decisions, risks, and follow-ups with consistency and accountability
• Drive commitments across teams; elevate diplomatically when dependencies are at risk
• Navigate competing priorities with a collaborative, solutions-first approach

Executive Communication & Meeting Representation

• Represent the Director in internal and external meetings; deliver timely, accurate, and concise debrief summaries
• Communicate confidently with executives, peers, vendors, and association partners
• Prepare and deliver clear status updates, risk flags, and campaign readiness reports to leadership

Vendor & Partner Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with print and mail vendors
• Communicate specifications, approvals, revisions, and escalations professionally
• Monitor vendor performance against timelines and quality standards; resolve issues quickly and constructively

Risk Management & Problem Solving

• Continuously monitor active campaigns for timeline risks, resource gaps, and execution issues
• Develop contingency plans and act decisively when timelines are threatened
• Bring identified risks to leadership with context and a recommended path forward

Team Support, Training & Knowledge Sharing

• Train team members on direct mail workflows, vendor requirements, and testing protocols
• Document standard operating procedures and campaign playbooks to build institutional knowledge
• Model a positive, collaborative team culture - share expertise generously and lead by doing

Requirements

• 3-5 years of hands‑on experience in direct mail production, campaign operations, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated working knowledge of direct mail mechanics: mail class, indicia, lettershop coordination, data file preparation, USPS postal standards, permit management, and in‑home date planning
• Familiarity with direct mail testing principles - panel design, control vs. challenger methodology, package and offer testing, and reading rollout results
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex campaigns simultaneously in a high‑stakes, deadline‑driven environment
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills — ability to build trust and communicate effectively across all levels of an organization
• Strong written and verbal communication; comfortable presenting status and risk updates to senior leadership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strength in Excel and Outlook
• Demonstrated project management discipline — tracking, documentation, follow‑up, and deadline ownership
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience in direct mail operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience working with print and mail production vendors (lettershops, mail houses, print vendors, or comparable)
• Background in insurance, financial services, or membership association marketing
• Experience in a team lead, project lead, or informal operational leadership role
• Familiarity with direct response campaign structures, audience segmentation, and mail file management
• Experience representing a manager or department in executive or cross‑functional meetings
• Exposure to channel‑level budget tracking, cost management, or vendor contract review
• Understanding of USPS promotions, postal optimization strategies, or presort logistics

AMBA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because that is what drives curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge, and experience that difference brings to our culture, attracting top talent with shared values and forming the foundation for a great place to work.