Director of Marketing

We believe deeply in what we do at The Columns Resource Group, Inc., Northwestern Mutual – Minneapolis.  Our mission is Securing Futures, Enhancing Lives and Creating Legacies for businesses and individuals throughout Minnesota, and the country.  We do this through helping our clients plan for their financial future so they can realize their dreams.  We are looking for individuals to join our company that live by our core values:

Integrity - Strict adherence to moral and ethical principles
Growth - Commitment to improving and challenging ourselves personally and professionally
Commitment - Fulfilling our promises
Professionalism - Displaying the highest degree of appearance, communication, relentless preparation and expertise
Personal Responsibility - Taking accountability for our own actions and results

As part of the Minneapolis Network Office Team, the Director of Marketing is responsible for providing strategic, data-driven marketing direction, driving the local network office market presence as well as the productivity, revenue and market presence of select financial advisors. The Director of Marketing subscribes to the philosophy, principles and practices of the local Minneapolis based Network Office and aligns our office with the broader Northwestern Mutual system/Home Office.  

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the Director of Marketing will be a thought leader that actively seeks opportunities to expose the Northwestern Mutual brand to key affinity markets within the territory. This position manages all firm-wide internal and external marketing events and supports select financial representatives, designing their unique marketing plans to help the Network Office drive financial advisor productivity, revenue and market presence through implementation of marketing strategies, tactics, and Northwestern Mutual brand expansion efforts. 

This individual should thrive in an environment that promotes direct engagement with colleagues, embraces a recruiting-minded culture and excels in providing premium services that cannot be found outside of Northwestern Mutual.

Position Responsibilities

For the Network Office

• Develop and implement strategic Marketing Plan
• Plan, manage and track Marketing Budget
• Identify small to large scale marketing events (approx. 1 per month) and work with Marketing Coordinator & Marketing Assistant to plan and execute; internal (brand-building) and external (client/prospect-facing)
• Promote and build the Northwestern Mutual brand locally to enhance awareness and receptivity within multicultural and diverse affinity markets
• Track and measure marketing program’s impact and overall ROI 
• Oversee plan for marketing education and training
• Assist in the implementation of marketing tactics geared towards financial advisor recruitment
• Maintain key media and business partnerships that will generate increased exposure for the NO
• Support local public relations, advertising and philanthropic efforts

For Select Financial Advisors

• Develop and implement customized marketing plans to enhance productivity and grow revenue
• Provide oversight on advisor marketing budgets
• Manage upkeep of digital assets such as websites and social platforms
• Identify, plan and execute strategic client and prospect engagement activities and events
• Conduct regularly scheduled marketing consultations to help drive their marketing plans
• Serve as the expert on CRM, key marketing strategies and tactics for client segmentation, prospecting, promotion, client experience, affinity marketing, and center of influence development

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising or communications
• 5-7+ years marketing experience
• Results-driven leader with an energetic, inquisitive personality who embraces disruption and is not afraid to challenge the status quo
• Proven track record in developing and administering a marketing program with measurable results
• Demonstrated success in driving marketing strategies to ROI
• Change driver with an ability to motivate individuals and teams
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Highly detailed and organized with the ability to prioritize multiple projects
• Strong project management and collaboration skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media technologies (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram)
• Financial services experience a plus
• Previous sales or business development experience a plus
• Occasional night/weekend projects as determined by event schedule