Marketing Director

KDS Strategic Search Group; Paramus (NJ); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Director of Marketing to oversee the brand strategy and marketing initiatives for footwear or apparel brands in wholesale retail. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of marketing experience, particularly in B2B channels. Responsibilities include developing marketing strategies, managing digital efforts, and executing go-to-market plans. Strong presentation, analytical, and project management skills are essential. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires a blend of creativity and commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of marketing experience within footwear or apparel brands operating in wholesale retail environments.
• Proven experience supporting wholesale and B2B sales channels.
• Strong understanding of brand management and product marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and execution of marketing initiatives.
• Develop and execute brand-specific marketing strategies.
• Oversee digital marketing strategy and manage agency partners.

Skills

Strategic brand thinker

Strong presentation skills

Data-driven mindset

Project management

Job description

We are seeking a Director of Marketing with 10+ years of experience within footwear or apparel brands operating in wholesale retail environments, and a proven track record supporting B2B sales channels.

This hands-on leader will own brand strategy, product marketing, digital and social oversight, go-to-market execution, and licensed brand alignment, with clear accountability for sell-through, retail support, and ROI-driven performance.

Please apply only if you meet the footwear or apparel wholesale experience requirement.

Title

Director of Marketing (Footwear or Apparel experience needed)

Location

North Jersey Paramus (3 days in 2 days out)

Reports to

President / Executive Leadership

Role Overview

As the Director of Marketing, you will lead the strategic development and execution of marketing initiatives across a portfolio of owned and licensed brands. This role is responsible for building brand equity, driving sell-through at wholesale partners, supporting licensing relationships, and developing cost-effective marketing programs that directly impact revenue growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a commercially minded marketer who understands footwear, wholesale retail, licensing, and modern brand-building, balancing creativity with disciplined ROI.

Key Responsibilities

Brand & Marketing Strategy

• Develop and execute brand-specific marketing strategies across a footwear portfolio of licensed and private label brands
• Ensure consistent brand positioning, messaging, and visual identity across all channels
• Translate long-term business objectives into actionable annual and seasonal marketing plans
• Partner closely with design, sales, and merchandising to align product stories with market demand

Wholesale & B2B Marketing

• Build marketing programs that support wholesale sell-in and sell-through across department stores, specialty retail, mass, off-price, and dealer channels
• Create compelling sales tools, including line sheets, presentations, seasonal decks, and product storytelling assets
• Support key retail accounts with co-op marketing, in-store assets, and digital toolkits
• Collaborate with sales leadership on account-specific strategies and presentations

Digital, Social & Content

• Oversee digital marketing strategy, including social media, email, content creation, and brand storytelling
• Ensure digital efforts support both brand building and wholesale objectives
• Manage agency partners, freelancers, and content creators
• Drive efficient use of paid media, influencer partnerships, and organic growth strategies

Go-To-Market & Launch Execution

• Lead go-to-market planning for new brand launches, category expansions, and seasonal collections
• Own launch calendars and execution timelines across marketing channels
• Ensure product launches align tightly with sales cycles and retail delivery schedules

Grassroots & Athlete-Led Marketing – Technical Trail Running Brand

• Build and execute a grassroots marketing strategy to establish a technical trail running brand as a credible, leading player in the category
• Develop an athlete-first approach focused on unsponsored or emerging trail runners, coaches, run club leaders, and regional influencers
• Identify and activate local trail communities, races, and events as core brand touchpoints
• Create seeding programs for athletes, specialty retailers, and trail ambassadors to drive authentic product adoption and word-of-mouth
• Partner with specialty-run shops, trail organizations, and outdoor communities to build brand credibility at the ground level
• Oversee field marketing initiatives, including demos, test runs, pop-ups, and event presence
• Ensure grassroots efforts translate into earned media, organic social content, retail demand, and wholesale credibility
• Measure success through athlete adoption, community engagement, specialty door expansion, content output, and sell-through momentum

Licensing & Brand Partnerships

• Work closely with licensors and brand partners to ensure alignment with brand standards and approvals
• Serve as a key marketing point of contact for licensors, agencies, and external partners
• Support license renewals and growth initiatives through strong brand execution and results

Budgeting, Analytics & ROI

• Own the marketing budget and allocate spend across brands and initiatives
• Establish and track KPIs tied to sell-through, traffic, engagement, and ROI
• Continuously optimize marketing spend to maximize efficiency and impact
• Build, manage, and mentor an internal marketing team
• Set clear priorities, goals, and performance expectations
• Foster a collaborative, fast-moving, and accountable marketing culture

Qualifications

• 10+ years of marketing experience within footwear or apparel brands operating in wholesale retail environments.
• Proven experience supporting wholesale and B2B sales channels
• Strong understanding of brand management, product marketing, and retail dynamics
• Experience working with licensed brands and approval-driven environments is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to balance creative brand building with commercial outcomes
• Experience managing agencies, budgets, and cross-functional teams
• Strong presentation and communication skills

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strategic brand thinker with a strong commercial mindset
• Deep understanding of footwear or performance product lifecycles
• Data-driven and ROI-focused
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Collaborative leader who works seamlessly with sales, design, and operations
• Highly organized with strong project management skills