Assistant Marketing Manager

Job Title: Assistant Marketing Manager (Onsite- 5 days a week)

Job Summary

Ground Up is seeking an Assistant Marketing Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping and executing marketing strategy, campaign management, and brand storytelling across our portfolio of licensed footwear. This role partners closely with the Director of Marketing, helping lead campaigns from concept through execution while bringing brand storytelling to life through product, content, and partnerships.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management and organizational skills with creative intuition and strategic thinking. They're a proactive self-starter who takes initiative, thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, and has a passion for entertainment, pop culture, and fashion.

About Ground Up

Ground Up is a premier footwear manufacturer retaining an integrated portfolio of licensed and owned brands and has grown to be a leading supplier. The company’s unique capability to design and translate fashion trends offers a fresh perspective on licensed footwear.

Ground Up was created with the vision of fulfilling the need for fun, innovative products for the true brand enthusiast. As our product entered the market, we found consumers wanting to express themselves and their fandom in new, creative ways. Consumers connect with us through our brand partnerships, giving them brands they love with a brand they now trust. Ground Up has become a recognizable brand for the whole family that stands for elevated fashion and fun.​

We aspire to have our teams embody our core values of:

- Service,

- People,

- Teamwork,

- Opportunity,

- Results,

- Innovation, and

- Trust

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy & Campaign Management

- Strategic Campaign Development: Lead and assist with the planning and execution of marketing campaigns across digital, retail, PR, and social channels to support key launches and seasonal priorities

- Process Management: Partner with the Director of Marketing to build and maintain marketing calendars, keeping campaigns and approvals on track and moving efficiently.

Brand Management & Storytelling

- Brand Management: Partner with licensors and internal teams to ensure brand consistency, creative alignment, and innovation across all marketing touchpoints.

- Bring brand storytelling to life through product, translating creative direction into compelling campaign execution

- Licensing & Marketing Approvals:  Support the approval process for licensed brand marketing materials, ensuring alignment with licensor guidelines and internal standards.

Social Media & Content Strategy

- Social Media Strategy & Execution: Develop and manage social content calendars, influencer collaborations, and brand storytelling initiatives that drive engagement and growth.

- Asset Production:  Collaborate with design and content teams to ideate, brief, and produce high-quality marketing assets, including photo and video shoots.

Public Relations & Partner Management

- Public Relations & Influencer Partnerships: Support and help oversee PR strategy, press outreach, gifting programs, and event activations to generate buzz and earned media.
Partner Management: Assist in managing relationships with external partners, agencies, and vendors supporting marketing initiatives.

Retail & Digital Marketing

- Retail & Digital Marketing : Drive marketing initiatives for retail partners and eCommerce, including product page storytelling, retail displays, and digital campaigns.

Analytics & Insights

- Analytics & Insights: Monitor campaign performance, social metrics, and media coverage; translate results into actionable insights and optimization recommendations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Cross-Functional Leadership : Act as a marketing point of contact across multiple projects, aligning with product, sales, and design to deliver cohesive brand experiences.

- Partner with sales, product development, e-commerce, and licensing teams to support business goals and ensure marketing initiatives are well integrated

Minimum Qualifications

- 4+ years of marketing experience, with a track record of leading campaigns from start to finish

- Strong marketing strategy skills, with the ability to translate brand storytelling into cohesive campaigns

- Experience managing or mentoring direct reports

- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and processes at once

- Strategic, long-term planning mindset with the ability to build roadmaps, not just execute short-term tasks

- Excellent presentation skills and comfort presenting ideas to leadership and cross-functional teams

- Demonstrated initiative — a self-starter who identifies opportunities without waiting for direction

- Strong creative eye and instinct for brand aesthetics

- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field preferred

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience at a fashion, footwear, or other creative/lifestyle brand

- Experience with licensed brands, licensor approvals, or multi-brand portfolios

- Experience managing press or communications strategy

- Experience managing agencies or external partners

- Data-driven mindset with experience using insights to guide strategy

GUP Perks

- Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k plan & access to employee recognition programs.

- Paid vacation, holidays, Eternal Summer Fridays, birthdays off & more!

- Friendly, fun, creative & collaborative work environment.

- Ground Up International is an equal opportunity employer.