Mariner was founded in 2006 when Marty Bicknell saw an opportunity to change the financial services industry with a specific vision in mind: To positively impact the lives of many. How? By giving clients and advisors access to everything they need to be successful.

Our client-first approach is carried out by our wealth advisors in 100+ offices across the country. Because our teams, including individual and business , tax planning and preparation , estate planning , trust services , investment management , personal insurance solutions , Mariner Institutional and specialized business services are in-house, Mariner provides clients with a coordinated, customized experience.

Ranking in the top five on Barron’s Top RIA Firms, we have an intense focus on growing our advisor and client footprint while offering a best-in-class wealth management experience.

In order to fuel accelerated growth and embrace a modern marketing mindset, Mariner is searching for a Marketing Director, Acquisition Strategy and Operations.

There are several key outcomes associated with the first 6-12 months of employment to include:

Build and begin executing/refining an end-to-end marketing strategy to support IGO – including building excitement around Mariner’s brand and marketing capabilities and a seamless onboarding/transition plan.
Teaming closely with the Marketing and CD&S organization to deliver holistic brand experiences with strong connectivity to the moments that matter along the firm/advisor acquisition journey.

A strong candidate for this position will have past success in pre-acquisition marketing strategy and post-acquisition marketing integration/operations. This leader will build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, manage the end-to-end marketing components of an acquisition, deliver on complex initiatives and understand the financial services and/or advisor onboarding space.

This individual will work with the firm’s Marketing and Corporate Development & Strategy teams to help inform and onboard RIA firms and standalone advisors through marketing integrations. This is a chance to join an entrepreneurial and innovative organization that is on a fast growth trajectory, and requires an understanding of the role of brand, creative, digital, comms/PR, sales enablement and data/analytics in driving marketing success.

In addition to a primary focus on acquisitions and advisor lift outs, this marketing leader will also work with the Chief Marketing Officer to own additional strategic and operational marketing projects/initiatives as needed.

Responsibilities

Builds relationships with stakeholders across the firm, including the Corporate Development & Strategy team, and incoming firms and advisors
Partners with Corporate Development & Strategy team to build immersive brand engagement/experience for prospective advisors/firm – including building and delivering presentations/value props
Leans in on unique/specialized acquisition opportunities by delivering custom solutions
Manages a complex RIA firm or advisor onboarding integration focused on marketing processes, including brand education/onboarding, and transitioning marketing collateral, newsletters, social media, digital campaigns and events. Leads all components of integration from kick-off to conclusion
Builds, refines and delivers a consistent and cohesive onboarding process to new firms and advisors
Teams with Corporate Development and Strategy to deliver unified communications across the wealth management industry, along with associates and clients connected to acquisitions
Leads the earned media strategy, including message alignment and target media planning, in partnership with Corporate Development and Strategy and external PR firm. Serves as the strategic glue across internal and external teams.
Serves as a mentor to department marketing associates.
Delivers a client-first experience while executing quick-turn deadlines.
Leads additional strategic marketing projects/initiatives as needed

Skills And Knowledge

Ability to flex between a strategy and execution mindset/capabilities. Can make things happen and meet deadlines, even when relying on our cross-functional and external stakeholders
Understand and communicate brand value and governance
Employ strong marketing operations and project management skills
Build and deliver compelling presentations through an ability to understand unique audiences and generate compelling stories. Past success translating internal strategy to compelling external messaging. Make complicated things simple and human
Experience leading earned media messaging and directing external comms agencies
Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders while providing clear expectations on timelines and dependencies
Interact confidently and collaborate with other departments and teams across all levels
Adapt in a fast-paced and changing environment
Demonstrate problem-solving, organization, communication and presentation skills
Embrace new technology and be forward thinking. Bring a growth mindset to challenges
Ability to work independently and with a team. Can succeed and self-serve through ambiguity
Coach and mentor associates to deliver their best

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in marketing or related field required; OR equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the duties of the job
Experience integrating top-middle-low funnel marketing strategies and knowledge of dependencies
Compelling storyteller – Both verbally and in written form
5-7+ years marketing strategy and execution/operations experience, ideally in the financial services or advisor support space
Background flexing between earned and owned media
Experience coaching/guiding teammates without always having direct report responsibilities
Understanding of M&A processes
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Working knowledge of Salesforce or other CRM
Knowledge of Smartsheet and project management systems beneficial