Product Marketing Manager

Ascend Learning is a national leader in data driven, online educational solutions for learners, educators and employers in high-growth, licensure-driven professions spanning healthcare, fitness and wellness, skilled trades, insurance, and financial services. We are passionate about accelerating learning while impacting job readiness, employment success and employee retention with the belief that our work changes lives.

Our culture is intentionally results-driven and selfless with a relentless focus on our customers. We believe in trust, transparency, freedom, and responsibility with a commitment to meritocracy, inclusion, and diversity of thought. Continual investment in our over 1400 employees is also a core principle realized through ongoing professional development and providing opportunities to grow, develop and lead. Ascend Learning is headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and remote workers in cities across the U.S. and in the U.K.

Since 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has set the standard in certification, continuing education, solutions and tools for health and fitness, sports performance and sports medicine professionals. NASM has pioneered evidence-based health and fitness solutions that optimize physical performance and allow individuals to achieve a variety of fitness activity goals.

Overview:

NASM is currently hiring a Product Marketing Manager. This role is responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies and programs that drive brand awareness, brand and product preference for new and existing products to our targeted audiences. From partnering with the product managers on the market needs and business cases, to understanding the competitive landscape and positioning, the Product Marketing Manager will craft the product's story through an impactful and comprehensive marketing plan, including but not limited to messaging strategy, campaigns, nomenclature, and positioning. This role will work closely with our extended marketing team, product, sales, and operations to ensure a seamless and clear customer experience across all communication platforms and touchpoints.

Leawood, Kansas office/hybrid and Gilbert, Arizona/hybrid office location preferred. Other Ascend Learning office locations or remote considered.

Responsibilities:

• Champion and lead effective go-to-market launch plans for new products and develop and execute marketing campaigns and cross-promotional strategies for other existing products across various stages of the product lifecycle to achieve revenue and marketing KPIs.
• Serve as the liaison with Product, Sales, Operations, and Digital Marketing teams on go-to-market plans and marketing deliverables.
• Regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams to review product performance, KPIs, discuss and propose new opportunities, testing plans, etc., to ensure alignment of product marketing strategy.
• Provide timely and comprehensive updates on progress and metrics to leadership.
• Serve as a brand evangelist, thought leader, and conceptualist for our products through public relations, media outreach, blog posts, social media, communicating value prop, identifying and sourcing subject matter experts and advocates, researching insights, and other supporting other efforts as needed.
• Propose plan for generating product awareness at events and tradeshows. Attending relevant industry events and tradeshows to evangelize our products.
• Develop an intimate understanding of our brand message and tone to accurately capture our persona in MARCOM.
• Lead creation of messaging to effectively communicate to target audiences.
• Educate both internal and external stakeholders on our products' selling features, benefits, positioning, and differentiators to create and deliver meaningful training and tools for Sales and Service teams.
• Work with external partners and agencies on messaging strategy, go-to-market tactics, nomenclature, design needs, and other business needs as necessary.
• Measure and optimize the customer experience and usage as it relates to new product launches, product feature adoption, and product enhancements.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required in marketing, business, sports science, or similar field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience including marketing, product, or equivalent.
• Candidate should possess a mix of business, product launch, marketing creativity, operational experience, project management and communication/collaboration skills.
• Pragmatic Marketing training and experience a plus

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong general marketing skills with a passion for winning over the customer.
• Ability to create and drive effective messaging and marketing plans across various stages of product lifecycle to generate awareness and demand to reach revenue goals.
• Excellent ability to write and apply copy in a variety of forms, some outside support available to supplement.
• Articulate communicator who can present to various levels of management, co-workers, and peers as well as train on key messaging and value proposition.
• Outcomes-driven with ability to effectively manage multiple product plans and priorities in a fast-paced growth-oriented environment.
• Ability to adapt to change, fast timelines and tight deadlines.
• Ability to lead/co-lead and communicate cross-functionally across operations, sales, product, and marketing.
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions for complex issues.
• Excellent verbal presentation and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and technical acumen preferred.
• Highly collaborative and proven ability to work successfully on cross functional projects
• Team-player with "can do" attitude, highly resourceful and proactive.
• Strong ability to multi-task in a very fast-paced environment
• Recognized analytic and critical thinking skills that can identify business opportunities and solutions to grow the business.
• Excellent problem-solving ability and orientation
• Strong presentation skills

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

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