Operating within the core values and operating principles of the organization, the Sr. Specialist, Direct Marketing Creative and Operations is a key contributor to the creative process, production, purchasing and fulfillment of marketing materials for AAA Life Insurance Company’s direct marketing and promotional initiatives. This role coordinates creative development, processing and systems preparation and is the liaison for print and fulfillment vendors. This role oversees the creative, production and operations environments to ensure all pieces are in place to hit campaign deadlines as outlined by AAA Life’s annual corporate strategy. The Sr. Specialist, DM Creative and Operations is a key contributor in ensuring that all marketing pieces can be fulfilled by internal departments, working through issue resolution and coming up with creative and production led strategic initiatives. The Specialist is also expected to foster a culture of transparency, collaboration and accountability.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

PARTNER WITH DIRECTOR, DIRECT MARKETING CREATIVE AND OPERATIONS ON CREATIVE STRATEGY FOR DIRECT MARKETING PROGRAMS: 

• Provide strategic recommendations on the design and evolution of programs to meet long term business objectives and operational budgets
• Provide direct marketing best practices and contribute to test and learn strategies for direct marketing campaigns, as well as contributing to the evaluation and reporting of campaign performance
• Partner with Data Management and Analytics teams to understand campaign performance, determine which creative tests are most effective
• Participate in research/ analytic efforts to design creative briefs that reflect business strategies
• Actively communicate Direct Mail Creative Schedule to vendors
• Ensure all direct marketing creatives reflect current product features, meet compliance standards, and comply with state-level regulations and specifications. Work with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts
• Utilize technologies (Aproove) for efficiency and transparency of workflow.
• Work directly with vendors across Direct Marketing channels, such as Agency partners, print partner and digital partners

DIRECT MARKETING CAMPAIGN OPERATIONS

• Plan and maintain Direct Marketing Schedule
• Oversee inventory management of cross sell campaigns
• Co-define and implement test plans for marketing campaigns. Work with Analysts, Designers and Direct Marketing Production staff to ensure all are apprised of upcoming projects
• Maintain Package Library by assigning and maintaining package descriptions
• Understand the creative execution of state specific versions for all creative assigned to campaigns
• Be a liaison between operations and internal departments to ensure accuracy of regulatory specifications
• Coordinate work between departments required to launch new campaign(s)
• Work with vendors to obtain and present budget estimates for marketing campaigns to Finance as part of the Purchase Order process
• Work with senior management, other departments and vendors on issue resolution
• Participate in ad-hoc initiatives as needed

SUPPORTS VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS

• Main production liaison between operations vendors and AAA Life Insurance
• Conduct production audits with vendors as needed
• Constantly look for process improvements and efficiencies within the Direct Marketing Process

CORE COMPETENCIES

• DRIVE FOR RESULTS– Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results
• USES EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS- Candid, clear and concise in written and verbal communications.  Effectively matches style, tone and method to audience.  Connects with intended audience.  Manages communication and feedback within the organization
• DISPLAYS TEAM ORIENTATION- Works collaboratively to achieve organization’s success.  Effectively uses position and interpersonal skills, mobilizes and inspires others to take action
• FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL SKILLS– Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment
• ANALYTICAL/PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS – Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answers
• PROCESS MANAGEMENT– Good at figuring out the processes necessary to get things done; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient work flow; knows what to measure and how to measure it; can see opportunities for synergy and integration where others can’t; can simplify complex processes; gets more out of fewer resources
• PLANNING – Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets objectives and goals; breaks down work into the process steps; develops schedules and task/people assignments; anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks; measures performance against goals; evaluates results
• TIME MANAGEMENT – Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities; gets more done in less time than others; can attend to a broader range of activities

Required Skills Required Experience

• Bachelors in Marketing, and a minimum of 7 years Direct Marketing experience
• Knowledge of the print industry is a plus
• Demonstrated experience planning and execution of mail and digital campaigns including:  design, cost, delivery, schedule, testing and more
• Knowledge of postal regulations, guidelines, discounts and promotions 
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Experience growing key vendor relationships
• Must work independently and cross-departmentally on project teams

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