Senior Brand Manager

This position is based in Atlanta and is hybrid, reporting into the office two days a week.
The Senior Manager, Brand & Lifecycle Marketing leads the strategy and execution of brand-building and customer reengagement initiatives across Autotrader and KBB. This role owns the integrated approach to attracting customers through brand media and social channels, then reengaging and retaining them through lifecycle marketing across all touchpoints—creating a seamless customer experience from initial awareness through long-term loyalty.
As a strategic leader within the Integrated Media team, this role ensures cohesive brand presence and customer experience while maximizing both reach efficiency and customer lifetime value through coordinated strategies across brand media, social, and multi-channel reengagement programs including email marketing.
What You’ll Do Strategic Leadership & Planning Develop integrated brand and lifecycle marketing strategies that connect brand building with customer retention and reengagement

Lead planning for brand media, social, and lifecycle/reengagement marketing aligned with business objectives, partnering with agencies for execution

Partner with Director, Business Strategy and business unit leaders to ensure brand and lifecycle strategies support business objectives

Partner closely with performance marketing team to create holistic customer engagement strategies across the full funnel

Drive strategic alignment across brand-building activities and reengagement activities to create cohesive customer journeys

Own the strategic vision for how brand investments convert to engaged, retained customers

Brand Media & Lifecycle Strategy Oversight Own brand media planning and buying strategy across TV, streaming, display, OOH, audio, social and sponsorships, as well as other brand-building channels

Partner with media agencies to develop media strategies, evaluate recommendations, and optimize media mix

Partner with analytics team to measure media effectiveness, reengagement campaign performance, customer lifetime value impact, and attribution

Continuously identify optimization opportunities and implement improvements

Manage brand media budgets and ensure efficient reach and frequency across target audiences

Ensure brand media strategies support both awareness objectives and downstream reengagement opportunities

Set strategic direction for social media across paid and organic channels

Develop aggressive testing plans across all channels, test continuously

Ensure social presence drives both brand awareness and customer engagement

Ensure social strategy complements and reinforces lifecycle reengagement efforts

Develop comprehensive cross-channel reengagement and lifecycle marketing strategies including SMS, email, app, etc.

Partner with MarTech team to leverage marketing automation, personalization, and AI-driven optimization for reengagement

Own customer segmentation and targeting strategies for lifecycle and reengagement campaigns

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership Lead, mentor, and develop team members

Establish team operating rhythms, performance standards, and development plans

Partner with Sr. Director Integrated Media, Director Performance Media, Creative, Analytics, and MarTech teams

Collaborate with Director, Business Strategy to ensure brand and lifecycle strategies support broader business objectives

Manage agency partnerships across brand media, social, and reengagement channels

What’s in It for You? Here’s a sneak peek at the benefits you could experience as a Cox employee:
A competitive salary and top-notch bonus/incentive plans.

Exceptional work-life balance, flexible time-off policies and accommodating work schedules.

Comprehensive healthcare, with multiple options for individuals and families.

Generous 401(k) retirement plans with company match.

Professional development and continuing education opportunities.

Inclusive parental leave policies, plus comprehensive fertility coverage and adoption assistance.

Extra perks like pet insurance, employee discounts and much more.

Who You Are Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in related discipline and 8 years of marketing experience spanning brand media, lifecycle marketing, and social. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 6 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years of experience; or 12 years’ experience in a related field.

3+ years in people leadership roles, managing teams and driving cross-functional initiatives

Proven track record developing integrated strategies that connect brand building with customer retention

Experience managing significant marketing budgets across multiple channels

Background working with agencies and holding them accountable for results

Brand Marketing Expertise: Deep understanding of brand building, media planning and optimizations

Lifecycle & Reengagement Expertise: Strong foundation in customer lifecycle optimization, retention strategies, reengagement tactics across email, SMS, app

Social Marketing Knowledge: Understanding paid and organic social strategy, community engagement

Data-Driven Approach: Comfortable using analytics to inform strategy, measure incrementality, and demonstrate ROI

Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills, ability to translate complex plans into succinct simple story

Strong people leadership—develops talent, builds high-performing teams, provides clear direction

Excellent strategic thinking—can synthesize complex information and develop clear strategies

Strong stakeholder management—can build relationships and influence across functions

Budget management expertise

Agency management—can brief, evaluate, and hold agencies accountable

Travel: 25%

Preferred: Degree in marketing, advertising or related field

Experience in complex organizations; automotive, marketplace, or e-commerce experience strongly preferred

Join the Cox family of businesses and make your mark today!

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