Associate Director, Marketing Operations & Capabilities

Role Summary

The Associate Director, Marketing Operations & Capabilities leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the marketing operations infrastructure and capability framework for the Marketing organization. This role partners directly with the VP of Marketing to elevate marketing excellence, streamline operational execution, and advance the team’s functional capabilities through training, systems, and governance. The Associate Director oversees both the Marketing Operations and Advertising & Promotional Material Review functions, ensuring the organization operates efficiently, compliantly, and with a high-performance culture. This leader is accountable for operational excellence, marketing process innovation, and building the future-ready skills required to drive brand success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of marketing operational processes and systems that drive speed, compliance, and quality across the enterprise.
• Build and continuously refine frameworks for campaign planning, workflow management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee the integration and utilization of key marketing tools to enhance visibility and efficiency.
• Serve as the central point of coordination for the operational interface between Marketing, Compliance, Medical, Regulatory, Finance, and IT functions.
• Partner with the Associate Manager, Marketing Operations, to manage vendor onboarding, contract workflows, and budget processes, ensuring fiscal discipline and transparent reporting.

Marketing Capability Development

• Design, launch, and manage the Marketing Capability Model to define and assess core competencies required for marketing excellence.
• Lead the creation and continuous improvement of a Marketing Curriculum encompassing training modules, workshops, learning pathways, and certification programs.
• Partner with HR and Learning & Development to align the marketing training framework with enterprise-wide capability initiatives.
• Establish a continuous evaluation model, including competency assessments, development plans, and performance tracking for marketers at all levels.
• Create onboarding, transition, and advancement programs that build marketing mastery, brand management acumen, and digital fluency.

Strategic Enablement & Governance

• Collaborate closely with the VP of Marketing and Brand Leadership to ensure capability programs align with evolving business needs and market dynamics.
• Lead marketing governance efforts to ensure consistency in processes, documentation, and cross-functional accountability.
• Drive operational readiness for new product launches by ensuring marketing processes, systems, and skills are launch-ready.
• Oversee analytics for operational KPIs to measure impact and inform continuous improvement.

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Manage and develop the Marketing Operations team, providing direction, mentorship, and performance coaching.
• Lead relationships with key vendors, training providers, and consultants supporting capability and operations initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning within the marketing function.
• Serve as a role model for operational excellence, compliance integrity, and team engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in Marketing, Business, or Life Sciences required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in Marketing Operations, Capability Development, or Commercial Excellence within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
• Proven success building marketing operations frameworks and capability programs in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading operational or MLR review teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong understanding of FDA promotional regulations, Veeva PromoMats workflows, and MLR process management.
• Experience building or managing marketing capability programs, curricula, or training initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with exceptional communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Proven leadership in cross-functional collaboration, vendor management, and budget oversight.
• Competencies: Strategic Agility, Leadership, Change Management, Innovation, Collaboration, Coaching & Development, Analytical Thinking, Business Acumen, Operational Excellence.
• Working Conditions: May require periodic evening or weekend work as necessary to support key projects. Periodic overnight travel (up to 20%) for training sessions, leadership meetings, or workshops. Hybrid role based in Xeris‚Äô Chicago office with a minimum of three days per week in the office.