Come Grow with Us and Join an Award-Winning Organization! Stearns Bank is looking for a Brand Manager of Small Business & Equipment Finance. This is a remote-eligible position headquartered out of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Job Description:
As a Brand Manager for Small Business and Equipment Finance at Stearns Bank, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies to enhance the visibility, reputation, and engagement of our brand within the small business and equipment finance sector. You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to drive brand awareness, customer acquisition, and loyalty through targeted campaigns and initiatives.
Starting annual salary of $100,000.00. Employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Brand Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive brand strategies tailored to the needs and preferences of business owners, aligning with the overall objectives and values of Stearns Bank.
Marketing Campaigns: Lead the planning, execution, and optimization of marketing campaigns and initiatives targeting small businesses, leveraging various channels such as digital, social media, email, events, and traditional advertising.
Content Creation: Oversee the development of compelling and relevant content designed to resonate with small business audiences, including blog posts, articles, case studies, videos, infographics, and social media posts.
Partnership Development: Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry associations, chambers of commerce, small business organizations, and other stakeholders to extend brand reach and credibility within the business community.
Customer Insights: Conduct market research, customer surveys, and competitor analysis to gain insights into the needs, preferences, and behaviors of small business owners, informing brand strategy and tactical decisions.
Brand Compliance: Ensure consistent adherence to brand guidelines and messaging across all communication channels and touchpoints, maintaining brand integrity and coherence.
Performance Measurement: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of brand initiatives and campaigns, providing regular reporting and insights to inform optimization and decision-making.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with internal teams, including product development, sales, customer service, and operations, to ensure alignment and integration of brand strategies with overall business objectives.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field
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MBA or relevant advanced degree a plus but not mandatory
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8-10 years of experience in brand management, marketing, or related roles, preferably within the financial services industry or serving small businesses or equipment financing.
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Deep understanding of small business dynamics, challenges, and opportunities.
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Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
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Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
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Ability to multitask, prioritize, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
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Creative mindset with a passion for storytelling and engaging with small business audiences. Proficiency in marketing tools, analytics platforms, and project management software.
Why Join Stearns Bank?
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Opportunity to play a key role in shaping the brand strategy and marketing efforts of a leading financial institution dedicated to serving small businesses.
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Collaborative and entrepreneurial work environment that values creativity, innovation, and initiative. Competitive compensation package with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional development and advancement.
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Make a meaningful impact by supporting small businesses and contributing to their success and growth.
THE COMPANY
Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $2.4 billion well-capitalized, independent financial holding company based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Specializing in nationwide small business lending and equipment financing, Stearns has maintained outstanding customer service, fast decisions, and customized finance solutions to their customers for decades. Stearns Bank has earned itself a stellar reputation amongst customers and competitors alike. This reputation goes beyond just word-of-mouth, as Stearns has been recognized by the Independent Community Banker’s Association (ICBA) as a top-performing bank in the nation based on a 3-year average Return on Assets for banks $1 billion or more. Stearns has also been recognized by American Banker as a top-performing bank in the nation over a 3-year period for Return on Equity for banks from $2 billion to $10 billion. As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.