Trade Marketing Manager

Trade Marketing Manager

Classified Ventures, LLC, based in Chicago, is a strategic joint-venture among six large media partners whose objectives are to collectively capitalize on the revenue growth in the online classified advertising categories of automotive, apartments, and real estate. cars.com, a division of Classified Ventures, is the fastest-growing automotive marketplace for buyers, dealers and private-party sellers, placing nearly 11,000 dealers alongside nationwide advertising and private-party listings to offer access to both new and used automobiles. EOE Come join our rapidly growing team!

Responsibilities:
Cars.com is one of the fastest-growing online advertising services in the automotive industry. To keep pace with our aggressive sales objectives, the marketing team is seeking a Trade Marketing Manager, Sales Support, to support the goals of Cars.com’s sales teams through the strategy, coordination, development and execution of world class tactical marketing and sales support materials. Specifically, the Trade Marketing Manager, Sales Support, will identify and develop the best mix of sales materials including printed and online sales collateral, sales presentations, proposals, B2B website content, etc. This individual must:
Partner with Dealer Products, Affiliate and Direct Sales teams to develop the most compelling selling proposition for Cars.com’s products and services, as well as the optimum mix of printed and electronic sales tools and materials to support Cars.com’ sales objectives.
Evaluate existing sales collateral materials and develop the next generation of Cars.com’s sales materials to ensure they are world class in their execution and impact.
Explore “on-demand” and co-branded collateral options, make recommendations and execute a system of providing relevant, timely and localized materials.
Lead the messaging and content development on our dealer-facing website, DealerCenter (dealers.cars.com). Recommend new content, organization, features and functionality.
Be adept at balancing multiple projects and priorities from constituents.
Manage deadlines effectively to ensure on-time delivery.
Communicate sales collateral updates and status to all constituents.
Manage agencies, freelance designers and printing and fulfillment vendors to complete all sales material projects.
Demonstrate exceptional abstract conceptual thinking abilities and be able to work within a team environment. Strong planning and problem-solving abilities are a must. Use interpersonal skills to gather information from experts across organization.
Synthesize a diverse range of information to create clearly-defined positioning language and effective message architectures.
Support content and information to external and internal audiences – across multiple segments, brands and markets by applying keen understanding of market strategies, products and services, market conditions, competitive set, distribution channels and audience preferences.
Produce compelling, audience-focused finished content that effectively differentiates and promotes diverse range of service offerings to clients and informs/educates associates.
Work as an integral member of the Trade (B2B) Marketing team. REQUIREMENTS
Trade Marketing Manager

Experience/Education/System Requirements:
Candidates must have on-line and print collateral development experience and be able to provide samples from their portfolio at the first stage of the interview process.
(Candidates without on-line and print collateral development experience will not be considered.)
5+ years of experience developing sales and/or marketing collateral for a strong brand.
BA in journalism/marketing/communications. MBA preferred.
Experience managing agencies (developing creative briefs, evaluating concepts, providing feedback, etc.), designers, and printing vendors.
Outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
Superior project management skills.
Self-motivated, able to work independently.
Ability to conduct business with professionalism; polished, concise and articulate.
Ability to develop strong relationships with a demanding group of sales and product management team members; appropriately juggling requests from different constituents.
Ability to prioritize work items based on business requirements, and effectively escalate issues when and where appropriate.
Sales experience strongly preferred.
Automotive dealer and industry experience strongly preferred.
Thrives on managing a variety of projects simultaneously. Superior organization, planning and project management skills.
Extensive project management experience with a focus on marketing collateral development.
Working knowledge of Adobe Design programs. Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office.
Enthusiastic. Takes initiative and gets results


To apply:
Please apply online with resume and cover letter.


Classified Ventures, LLC and cars.com are Equal Opportunity Employers.
Visit us online at www.classifiedventures.com and www.cars.com