Brand Director, Rise

The Role 

Within the fast growing and everchanging cannabis industry, RISE has emerged as one of the industry’s premier leaders in the retail dispensary landscape. With over 100 open locations and plans to scale well beyond, we are in growth mode and looking for a strong leader for the RISE Brand Team. You will lead crucial business priorities for the RISE Retail brand. To successfully accomplish these priorities you will work cross-functionally with Retail Operations, Store Development, Visual Merchandising, Compliance, Revenue, Commercial and E-Commerce teams. You will lead all aspects of National Go-To-Market plans, including creative development, compliance approvals, printing and fulfillment, training and post-launch analysis. The role requires a passion for understanding the shopper journey and a passion for developing best in marketing plans that translate into meaningful commercial impact, new customers for RISE, and a growing community of brand fans. You need to be able to work in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment with a will-get-it-done-no-matter-the-obstacles attitude, tracking every detail along the way (we are a highly regulated industry). At GTI, the parent company of RISE, we move fast, fail forward and embrace the rapid pace of change. We face new challenges daily but celebrate wins as we work together to lead this brand-new industry with integrity, high quality and a people-first culture.  

This is a hybrid role based out of out Chicago HQ office (River North). 2 days in office are required. Ability to travel up to 30%. 

Responsibilities 

• Working with key stakeholders, you will lead the development of all national campaigns and activations. Including the development of all campaign assets for all channels, working with cross-functional partners to make sure that assets meet channel needs   

• Manages the development and execution of ROI driven omni-channel marketing campaigns that drive increased traffic, new shopper acquisition and other KPIs as defined through commercial planning process.  

• Support regional teams with the translation of national commercial strategies into regional or location specific programing needs, ensuring continuity of brand expression. 

• Works cross-functionally with eCommerce team to influence CRM, loyalty and blog marketing programs to execute promotional/commercial plans. 

• Working with the RISE Creative Team and internal cross-functional teams, manage the creation of national communications.  

• Own the national promotional calendar, coordinating with cross-functional teams to balance business needs with brand desires  

• Working with internal and external public relations, media planning and social media teams to drive national activation awareness and traffic with new customers.   

• Lead marketing national activation budgeting process, maximizing efficiency of spend while leaning into emerging opportunities where appropriate. Own RISE brand marketing budget. 

• Develop internal communications that energize partners in the field and retail operations, gaining buy-in and support of national programming priorities.  

• You will leads the in-store communications customer journey and channel strategy ensuring customer and patient communications achieve revenue, product education and community engagement goals.  

• Lead communication strategies for all in-store digital, print and team member touchpoints, partnering with cross-functional and local teams to ensure the right message is communicated to the right customer at the right time. 

• Lead marketing for strategic initiatives like NSOs, M&A, Patient acquisition or other retail priorities  

• Manage RISE brand team members  

• Lead the development of all RISE merch, including team uniforms, promotional POS & merch, and sellable consumer items   

Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master's degree preferred in relevant field (Marketing, Business, Management, etc.) 

• 5+ years of progressive marketing and/or brand management experience in Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality or CPG industries. 

• Shopper marketing or multi-unit expertise leading direct to consumer revenue generation programming a plus. 

• 2+ years paid media strategy and planning; accountable for a budget. 

• Proven team builder, leader, and talent developer. You have experience recruiting and developing talent. 

• Start-up experience is ideal, but not required. Must demonstrate an ability to adapt to fast paced, highly dynamic business environments.  

• Must be able to thrive in a highly matrixed organization constantly adapting to shifting industry and organizational business needs.  

• Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative, and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense and resourcefulness. 

• Concrete experience managing complex projects and programs that have heavy dependencies requiring strong leadership to align multiple teams and stakeholders. 

• Ability to flex between high-level strategic thinking and tactical project management. You can paint a picture but are also willing to roll up your sleeves to make it happen.  

• Analytical and commercially minded. You can translate insights and data into actionable strategies and go-to-market plans that translate into meaningful business impact.  

• Superior verbal and written communications skills. You can manage up as well as you can down, distilling complex ideas and recommendations into clearly understood narratives.  

• Passion for all things retail. You bring an excitement that rallies others to join your cause.   

• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information 

• Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of GTI 

• Must have a solid understanding, or passion to further your understanding and knowledge of Marijuana laws, rules and regulations. 

Additional Requirements 

• Travel up to 30%
• Must pass any and all required background checks  
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry  
• Must possess valid driver’s license 
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age 
• Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry

 

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