Global Head Of Marketing And Creative Strategy

Who we are

In our interconnected world, journalism needs to deliver common facts to divergent audiences. Our biggest stories, and greatest crises, are now global: from climate change to pandemics, rising inequality to supply chain disruption, political instability to the influence of social media. Yet global trust in the media is at an all-time low. This moment requires a new approach.

Enter Semafor. We are a team of deeply-experienced journalists and media professionals laser focused on providing a global audience with an unparalleled level of journalistic transparency; through innovative new forms, cutting through the noise of the news cycle with smart, distilled views, and exploring competing perspectives across borders.

Join us and help build a global news platform you can trust.

About The Role

Semafor seeks a highly proactive, creative, and strategic mind to join our team. As the Global Head of Marketing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Semafor's brand identity, driving sales growth, and establishing our presence within the industry. Your leadership will be instrumental in executing strategic marketing initiatives that resonate with our target audience, inspire our target clients, and boldly elevate our brand on a global scale all while fostering a high-performing team. Reporting directly to the Chief Revenue Officer, this position will be based in our NY office (hybrid 4 days onsite).

Apply now to be part of a dynamic team that is shaping the future of media and empowering audiences worldwide. Interested candidates should apply with their resume and be prepared to also share work samples (i.e. sell sheets, proposals, client-facing collateral) throughout the interview process.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for leading, driving, and scaling several core functions for Semafor:

1.Brand Marketing:

A. B2C: Consumer Marketing:

• Lead cross-functional teams to create compelling brand B2C messaging, visuals, and experiences that align with our brand values and resonate with our audience.

• Oversee the implementation of marquee brand building campaigns across multiple channels, including digital, social media, events, and partnerships. Continuously stay apprised of and analyze brand performance metrics to optimize campaigns and drive brand growth

B. B2B: Industry Marketing:

• Develop and execute comprehensive B2B marketing strategies to enhance brand awareness, positioning, and equity with clients, agencies, media, and industry thought leaders.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to identify and pursue strategic opportunities for industry collaboration, partnerships, and advocacy.

• Develop thought leadership content, including whitepapers, articles, and presentations, to demonstrate our expertise and contribute to industry dialogue.

Sales Marketing:

• Presale: Proposals:

• Bring Semafor's values and value proposition to life through compelling narratives and visual presentations.

• Show a clear and convincing connection between a client's brand challenge and our proposed partnership solutions.

• Coordinate kick-off and brainstorm meetings, manage information coming from various teams, maintain timelines and hit deadlines.

• Lead brainstorms with client partnerships leads, agencies, and clients to clarify asks, gather critical intel, and craft winning proposals.

• Utilize research and data to articulate and support strategies and creative ideas.

• Design and create engaging presentations that clearly and concisely communicate ideas/concepts that map back to key advertiser objectives and KPIs.

• Partner with the sales leadership on in-person pitches and presentations with agencies and clients.

• Leverage solid understanding of the media landscape, including expertise in new and emerging media platforms as well as off-platform opportunities, to elevate the ideas we present to clients.

• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory developments to inform marketing strategies and differentiate Semafor in the marketplace.

• You will lead the team (player/coach) developing all of our insightful and innovative proposals (pre-sale) and programs (post-sale) using Semafor's portfolio of premium journalism (digital, email, video, events, and more), to help clients achieve their corporate reputation and strategic marketing goals.

• Work on multiple deliverables at any given time across key industry verticals: Technology, Telco, Finance, Healthcare, Corporate, Consulting, Energy, Luxury & Lifestyle, Automotive and Government all with a focus on delivering brilliant programs that bolster Corporate Reputation

Postsale: Kick Off → Campaign Wraps

• Coordinate with sales leads and post-sales teams, ensuring consistency in pre-to-post-sale transition

• Coordinate with sales leads and post-sales teams, ensuring wrap report details are beautifully presented, merchandised, and marketed to our client stakeholders.

Product Marketing:

a. Events Marketing:

• Collaborate with Semafor's editorial team to identify and develop content for live journalism events that aligns with the company's editorial mission and values.

• This individual will also be responsible for contributing to Semafor's event strategy, capabilities, offerings, packaging, and positioning at a portfolio level. They will also be responsible for owning 'client strategy' for pitching and presenting live journalism.

• Research, brief writing, proposal development, and value demonstration will be a part of this person's responsibility.

• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify market trends, customer needs, and competitive threats.

• Utilize insights to refine sales strategies, enhance product offerings, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

• Work closely with Semafor's sales and marketing teams to develop and execute sponsorship and marketing strategies for live journalism events that drive revenue and commercial success.

• Monitor and analyze industry trends and best practices to ensure that Semafor's live journalism events remain innovative, relevant, and competitive

b.Core Product:

• Identify and create core sales materials/collateral for sponsorable franchises, tentpole events, case studies, etc. to ensure the client partnerships team is armed with an arsenal of market-ready materials

• Develop, maintain, and continually refine Semafor's pre-sale process and go to market strategy

• Create sales enablement materials, including presentations, collateral, and case studies, to support the sales process and enhance customer engagement.

• Develop targeted marketing campaigns and promotions to generate leads, nurture prospects, and facilitate conversions throughout the sales funnel.

• Collaborate closely with the sales team to develop and implement integrated marketing programs that drive revenue growth and customer acquisition.

c. Special Project:

• Design and develop a new 'Brand reputation' practice built from new capabilities, services and original products - designed to differentiate Semafor from incumbent media partners.

• Envision and activate net new editorial products and integrated marketing programs and initiatives together with top clients.

Skills

• Ideate, collaborate and project manage offerings across relevant departments to create integrated programs for clients.

• Research, Insights, and Creative Brief Development: you have used proprietary tools, third-party resources and/or desk research to uncover meaningful insights, human truths and whitespace opportunities that lead to a compelling way in for creative briefing and media

• Creative Briefing: You have participated in writing a creative brief, briefing creative teams, and being an inspiring strategic partner to creative teams

• Media Strategy: You have participated in responding to client RFPs and making recommendations for how to use media to bring ideas to life in ways that meet clients' campaign objectives. You are familiar with the media landscape and eager to become an expert at guiding smart media decisions

• Client Deliverable/Proposal Development: You are experienced in owning and creating client-ready visual proposals that are polished and inspiring

• Goal-oriented & multi-tasker with the ability to work on several clients in diverse industries at once

• Strong writing aptitude with exceptional attention to detail is essential.

• Mastery of visual storytelling with origins visuals, mocks, slide design, and data visualization strongly preferred

• Must be comfortable working closely with and presenting to clients/agencies

• Detail-oriented with ability to anticipate needs, innovate, multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment

• Team player and entrepreneurial spirit is a MUST

• Knowledge of and willingness to be involved in the post-sales process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.

• Proven track record of success in developing and executing integrated marketing strategies, preferably in the media or news industry.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

• Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis and interpretation to drive informed decision-making.

• Strategic thinker with a creative mindset and a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Global perspective with experience working in diverse cultural and geographic contexts is a plus.

• 8+ years of cross-platform Advertising experience.

• A deep understanding of the current social, branded content, digital, mobile and event landscapes.

• Experience working on client proposals in a media environment.

• Strong ability to turn information into insights.

• Capacity to distill extensive research into industry/client-relevant implications.

• Experience developing trend reports/industry analyses preferred.

Salary Pay:

The base salary for this position at the time of posting will range from $200,000 - $250,000 per year plus bonus. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications. Work from home 1 day per week (In-house 4 days/week).

Additional job details

Comprehensive employee benefits: unlimited PTO, medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, health savings accounts, life insurance, 401(k), pre-Tax commuter benefits. (Benefits programs vary by country and are subject to eligibility requirements)

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law