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Activation Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Brand Activation Manager We are looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented Brand Activation Manager Contractor to support the Brand Marketing team. This individual will be crucial in the ...

Pressed Juicery is looking for an Off-Premise Activation Manager to bring our brand to life across retail shelves, in-store experiences, and key customer moments. This role sits at the intersection ...

BA development, activation audits and performance reviews • Overall performance management of Brand Ambassadors providing direction, guidance, and support where necessary • Develop employees for ...

New

Onboarding & Activation Manager

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

The Onboarding & Activation Manager is responsible for developing and managing onboarding programs for both employees and customers, ensuring a consistent, efficient, and engaging experience from ...

In the role of Solutions Activation Manager (SAM), you will serve as the connecting point between portfolio strategy and sales activities. Your responsibility is to convert Adobe's solutions into ...

In the role of Solutions Activation Manager (SAM), you will serve as the connecting point between portfolio strategy and sales activities. Your responsibility is to convert Adobe's solutions into ...

In the role of Solutions Activation Manager (SAM), you will serve as the connecting point between portfolio strategy and sales activities. Your responsibility is to convert Adobe's solutions into ...

As Partner Activation Manager, you will take the handoff from the VAR Channel Recruitment function and own everything that happens next -- from the moment a partner signs through to the moment they ...

As Partner Activation Manager, you will take the handoff from the VAR Channel Recruitment function and own everything that happens next - from the moment a partner signs through to the moment they ...

In the role of Solutions Activation Manager (SAM), you will serve as the connecting point between portfolio strategy and sales activities. Your responsibility is to convert Adobe's solutions into ...

As Partner Activation Manager, you will take the handoff from the VAR Channel Recruitment function and own everything that happens next - from the moment a partner signs through to the moment they ...

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Showing results 1-20

Activation Manager information

See California salary details

$25K

$65.2K

$138.1K

How much do activation manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for activation manager in California is $65,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,127.00 and $81,276.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What challenges do activation managers face when launching new campaigns?

Activation Managers often encounter challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring campaigns resonate with the target audience. Coordinating between creative, sales, and digital teams requires strong communication and organizational skills. Additionally, adapting to last-minute changes in client objectives or market trends can test flexibility and problem-solving abilities. Successfully navigating these challenges allows Activation Managers to execute impactful campaigns and demonstrate their value to both clients and internal stakeholders.

What is an activation manager?

Activation Managers are professionals responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing marketing campaigns or brand activations. They work closely with clients, creative teams, and vendors to ensure that marketing initiatives are delivered effectively and on time. Their role often includes developing strategies to engage target audiences, managing budgets, analyzing campaign performance, and optimizing future activations. Activation Managers play a key part in bringing brands to life through memorable experiences and ensuring that marketing goals are met.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an activation manager?

To thrive as an Activation Manager, you need expertise in project management, marketing strategy, and event execution, often backed by a degree in marketing or business. Familiarity with CRM platforms, digital marketing tools, and analytics systems like Salesforce or HubSpot is typically required. Strong organizational skills, creativity, and effective communication help drive cross-functional collaboration and deliver impactful campaigns. These abilities are crucial for ensuring seamless campaign rollouts that meet client objectives and maximize brand engagement.

What is the difference between Activation Manager vs Marketing Coordinator?

AspectActivation Manager
Primary RoleOversees brand activations, experiential marketing campaigns, and event execution to engage consumers directly.
Required SkillsProject management, event planning, vendor coordination, marketing strategy, communication skills.
Work EnvironmentOften works on-site at events, in marketing departments, or with agencies.
Common CertificationsMarketing certifications, event management credentials, project management certifications.

While both roles involve marketing activities, an Activation Manager focuses on executing live brand experiences and events, whereas a Marketing Coordinator handles broader marketing tasks, including campaign support and administrative duties. Activation Managers typically lead specific experiential projects, requiring specialized event skills, while Marketing Coordinators support overall marketing strategies across channels.

What are the most commonly searched types of Activation jobs in California? The most popular types of Activation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Activation Manager jobs in California? For Activation Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Activation Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Activation Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Activation Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Activation Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Activation Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,160 per year, or $31.3 per hour.

Brand Activation Manager

Cypress HCM

Santa Clara, CA

$65 - $88/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description



Brand Activation Manager
We are looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented Brand Activation Manager Contractor to support the Brand Marketing team. This individual will be crucial in the execution and coordination of various brand initiatives, ensuring campaigns and programs run smoothly, on time, and accurately. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can manage multiple moving pieces and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Brand Media Trafficking: Manage the trafficking process for our brand media campaigns (e.g., display, video, social, paid editorial) including coordinating assets, trafficking with our agency, and ensuring accurate deployment across platforms.
  • Creative Project Management: Act as the primary liaison between the Brand Marketing team and the Creative/Design team, managing the end-to-end lifecycle of creative tickets, ensuring all necessary information (specs, deadlines, feedback) is provided and approvals are secured promptly.
  • UTM Parameter Creation & Governance: Own the process for creating, distributing, and governing UTM tracking codes for brand campaigns with our agency to ensure consistent and accurate data collection.
  • Thought Leadership Program Management: Support the operational execution of our thought leadership programs.
  • Performance Tracking & Reporting: Consolidate, track, and organize brand and program metrics (e.g., media performance, content engagement, thought leadership impact) into clear, visually compelling decks for regular reporting to leadership and stakeholders.
  • Documentation & Organization: Maintain clean and organized documentation for all projects, assets, trafficking details, and reporting metrics.
Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of relevant experience.
  • Proven experience in project management, program coordination, or operations within a marketing or brand team (agency or in-house).
  • Experience with digital media trafficking.
  • Strong understanding of marketing measurement.
  • Excellent organizational skills with a methodical approach to problem-solving.
  • Proficiency in creating polished presentations/decks (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote) to clearly communicate results.
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Familiarity with Asana a plus.
  • Experience working with B2B or high-growth technology brands a plus.
  • Experience managing vendor or agency relationships a plus.
Compensation: $$65 - $88 per hour
ID#: 1451105

Cypress HCM logo

About Cypress HCM

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We deliver consistently superior recruiting by virtue of trusting, communicative relationships with companies and candidates alike. From Fortune 100s to startups, clients lean on us to fulfill their range of needs from contract to full-time positions. With an intimate knowledge of the industries we serve, a keen sense of what makes for high-performing talent in any role, and shared sense of urgency, our clients will tell you: your solution begins here.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Walnut Creek, CA, US

Year founded

2005

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