About this role
Job Title: Marketing Manager (Onsite- 5 days a week)
Job Summary
Ground Up is seeking a strategic and highly organized Marketing Manager to lead marketing strategy, campaign management, and brand storytelling across our brand portfolio. This is a people-management role: the Marketing Manager will oversee a Senior Marketing Coordinator and a Social Media Coordinator, setting direction and building process across the team.
The ideal candidate has 4+ years of marketing experience leading campaigns from concept through execution, a strong strategic and creative eye for brand storytelling, and the confidence to present ideas and take initiative without close direction. Industry background is flexible, though experience at a fashion, footwear, or other creative/lifestyle brand is a plus. This role is about strategy, planning, and leadership — hands-on content creation experience is not required.
About Ground Up
Ground Up is a premier footwear manufacturer retaining an integrated portfolio of licensed and owned brands and has grown to be a leading supplier. The company’s unique capability to design and translate fashion trends offers a fresh perspective on licensed footwear.
Ground Up was created with the vision of fulfilling the need for fun, innovative products for the true brand enthusiast. As our product entered the market, we found consumers wanting to express themselves and their fandom in new, creative ways. Consumers connect with us through our brand partnerships, giving them brands they love with a brand they now trust. Ground Up has become a recognizable brand for the whole family that stands for elevated fashion and fun.
We aspire to have our teams embody our core values of:
• Service,
• People,
• Teamwork,
• Opportunity,
• Results,
• Innovation, and
• Trust
Key Responsibilities
Marketing Strategy & Campaign Management
• Strategic Planning: Develop long-term marketing plans and roadmaps that align with broader business goals, bringing fresh thinking to the team.
• Campaign Management: Lead marketing campaigns from concept through execution across digital, retail, wholesale, and social channels, partnering with content and creative teams to bring ideas to life.
• Process Management: Build and lead the marketing processes that keep campaigns, approvals, and cross-functional work moving efficiently.
Brand Management & Storytelling
• Maintain brand consistency across all marketing touchpoints and communications
• Develop compelling brand narratives and creative direction that resonate with our audience, bringing a strong creative eye to every execution
• Licensing & Marketing Approvals: Manage the approval process for licensed brand marketing materials, ensuring alignment with licensor guidelines and internal standards.
Partner & Press Management
• Own relationships with external partners, agencies, and vendors supporting marketing initiatives
• Set the strategic direction for press and communications, ensuring consistent, on-brand messaging
Content Strategy
• Define the content strategy and direction for the brand, guiding the Social Media Coordinator on execution (hands-on content creation is not required for this role)
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Team Leadership: Manage and develop a team of two direct reports — a Senior Marketing Coordinator and a Social Media Coordinator — providing mentorship, feedback, and support for their growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with sales, product development, e-commerce, and licensing teams to support business goals and ensure marketing initiatives are well integrated.
Minimum Qualifications
• 4+ years of marketing experience, with a track record of leading campaigns from start to finish
• Strong marketing strategy skills, with the ability to translate brand storytelling into cohesive campaigns
• Experience managing or mentoring direct reports
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and processes at once
• Strategic, long-term planning mindset with the ability to build roadmaps, not just execute short-term tasks
• Excellent presentation skills and comfort presenting ideas to leadership and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated initiative — a self-starter who identifies opportunities without waiting for direction
• Strong creative eye and instinct for brand aesthetics
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field preferred
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience at a fashion, footwear, or other creative/lifestyle brand
• Experience with licensed brands, licensor approvals, or multi-brand portfolios
• Experience managing press or communications strategy
• Experience managing agencies or external partners
• Data-driven mindset with experience using insights to guide strategy
GUP Perks
• Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k plan & access to employee recognition programs.
• Paid vacation, holidays, Eternal Summer Fridays, birthdays off & more!
• Friendly, fun, creative & collaborative work environment.
• Ground Up International is an equal opportunity employer.
$90,000-95,000