Marketing Manager

Company Description

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

Job Description

Job Overview

The Marketing Manager is responsible for strategic leadership of key marketing communications and media initiatives that lead to measurable business growth. This role is responsible for driving the development of annual marketing plans, including marketing communications, cause marketing, public relations, and media, collaborating with internal teammates in the US and Canada, and external agencies, ensuring all marketing aligns with the overall brand strategy to drive business impact. This role requires experience in full funnel media with responsibility for media strategy, optimizing media plans, and driving executional excellence with agency partners.

Principal Accountabilities:

Campaign and Media Management

• Leads development of annual marketing plans, leveraging efficiencies from the US division and identifying gaps where Canada-specific initiatives should be prioritized
• Oversees DQ’s Canadian national marketing campaigns and activations to foster and increase brand awareness, brand affinity, store traffic, and campaign engagement
• Uses exceptional project management and collaboration skills to manage day-to-day activities and key stakeholders to ensure campaigns stay on track, on budget, and on time.
• Works closely with internal and external teammates to manage creative production and ensure all creative and messaging meets a high bar. Creative development includes video, audio, social, and in-store merchandising, as well as overall design system integration. 
• Leads development of annual full funnel media plans, applying learning and optimizations to maximize media investments and drive business growth.
• Effectively manages assigned marketing budgets for on-time and on-budget campaigns, including production and paid media.
• Oversees and manages creative packaging changes.
• Presents as appropriate to company management and Franchise Advisory Committee.

Cause Marketing

• Leads development of annual Cause Marketing Strategy and successfully execute associate tactics to meet annual fund-raising goal.
• Develops effective communications strategies to inform and engage DQ Fans/customers, children’s hospitals, franchisees, employees, and news media.
• Leads ambassador program and effectively leverage ambassador’s skills to engage and influence broader franchisee system.

Public Relations

• Leads development of annual Public Relations strategy with agency partner ensuring alignment with overall business goals and integration into overall marketing plan.
• Successfully executes associate tactics to meet annual earned/paid goals.