Vice President of Brand Marketing – Retail – Columbus, OH

Role Overview for Vice President of Brand Marketing – Retail – Columbus, OH

JRG Partners is proud to represent a premier, high-growth retail organization based in the vibrant city of Columbus, OH. Our client is a category-defining brand known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and an exceptional customer experience. They are seeking a visionary and results-driven Vice President of Brand Marketing to architect the future of their brand, captivate a new generation of consumers, and solidify their position as a market leader. This is a pivotal executive leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, offering a unique opportunity to shape the brand’s narrative and drive significant business impact across all consumer touchpoints.

As the Vice President of Brand Marketing, you will be the chief steward and champion of the brand. You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, multi-channel brand strategy that enhances brand equity, drives consumer engagement, and fuels sustainable growth. This role requires a strategic leader who can seamlessly blend creative intuition with data-driven insights. You will lead a talented team of marketing professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Your leadership will be critical in translating business objectives into powerful marketing initiatives that resonate deeply with our target audience, from national advertising campaigns to the in-store experience. If you are a passionate storyteller and a strategic builder with a proven track record of creating iconic retail brands, we invite you to apply for this transformative opportunity.

Key Responsibilities of Vice President of Brand Marketing – Retail – Columbus, OH

The Vice President of Brand Marketing will have a broad scope of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

Brand Strategy & Vision

Develop and articulate a clear and compelling brand vision, strategy, and positioning. Define the brand architecture, voice, and identity, ensuring consistency across all marketing channels and customer touchpoints. Lead annual strategic planning and quarterly reviews for the brand marketing function.

Integrated Marketing Campaigns

Oversee the conceptualization, development, and execution of innovative, fully integrated marketing campaigns. This includes digital marketing (SEO, SEM, social media, email), traditional advertising (print, broadcast), public relations, influencer marketing, and experiential events. Ensure all campaigns are on-brand, on-budget, and deliver measurable results.

Team Leadership & Development

Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing brand marketing team. Foster a collaborative and creative environment that encourages professional growth and empowers team members to achieve ambitious goals. Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and manage team performance.

Consumer Insights & Market Intelligence

Champion a consumer-centric approach by leveraging market research, data analytics, and consumer insights to inform brand strategy and marketing decisions. Monitor market trends, competitive landscape, and industry developments to identify new opportunities and potential threats.

Retail & In-Store Experience

Collaborate closely with the retail operations and visual merchandising teams to ensure the brand vision is flawlessly executed in all physical store locations. Develop and implement in-store marketing strategies, promotions, and events that enhance the customer experience and drive traffic.

Content & Creative Direction

Lead the creative direction for all brand assets, ensuring a high standard of quality and compelling storytelling. Oversee the content strategy and calendar across all platforms, including the company website, social media channels, and blogs.

Financial Management & ROI

Own and manage the multi-million dollar brand marketing budget. Allocate resources effectively to maximize impact and ROI. Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of marketing initiatives, providing regular reports to the executive leadership team. A deep understanding of integrated marketing communications is essential for optimizing spend and impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Serve as a key partner to the executive team and collaborate effectively with leaders in Sales, Product Development, E-commerce, and Operations to ensure alignment and drive cohesive business strategies.

Requirements for the Vice President of Brand Marketing – Retail – Columbus, OH

The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of strategic thinking, creative excellence, and inspirational leadership. We are looking for a professional who is passionate about building brands and connecting with consumers in meaningful ways.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field is required. An MBA or advanced degree is highly preferred.

Experience

A minimum of 15+ years of progressive brand marketing experience, with at least 8 years in a senior leadership role (Director level or above).

Industry Expertise

Significant experience within the retail industry is mandatory. Experience with multi-unit, brick-and-mortar retail environments is strongly preferred. Experience in apparel, consumer goods, or lifestyle brands is a plus.

Proven Track Record

Demonstrated success in developing and executing brand strategies that have driven measurable business growth, increased brand equity, and enhanced market share.

Leadership Skills

Exceptional leadership and team management skills with a proven ability to inspire, mentor, and develop a team of marketing professionals.

Strategic & Analytical Mindset

Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Highly analytical with the ability to translate data and insights into actionable marketing plans. Proficient in using marketing analytics tools and platforms.

Communication Skills

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences, including the C-suite and Board of Directors.

Creative Acumen

A strong creative eye and the ability to provide clear creative direction and feedback to internal teams and external agency partners.

Adaptability

Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and is able to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Competitive Compensation

A highly competitive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term incentive plan (equity).

Comprehensive Health & Wellness

Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents. Company-sponsored wellness programs, mental health resources, and a gym membership stipend.

Financial Security

A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match. Access to financial planning and advisory services.

Generous Time Off

A flexible and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, in addition to paid company holidays and parental leave.

Professional Development

A dedicated budget for continued education, including conferences, certifications, workshops, and leadership training programs.

Relocation Assistance

A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates moving to the Columbus, OH area.

Employee Perks

Substantial employee discounts on all company products, regular company-sponsored social events, and a collaborative and inspiring work culture.

How to Apply

JRG Partners is leading the exclusive search for this critical leadership role. If you are a dynamic and experienced brand marketing executive ready to make a significant impact on a beloved retail brand, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this position.

To learn more about our expertise in this area and to submit your application, please visit the JRG Partners’ Consumer & Retail executive search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.