Interim Director of Marketing

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Brand Marketing leader to step into an interim role covering a team leave from November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. This is a hands-on leadership position overseeing the day-to-day operations of our Brand Marketing team, with direct accountability to the CMO for team performance, external agency relationships, wholesale/retail marketing programs, and cross-functional execution.

This role is ideal for a seasoned marketing executive who can step into an existing team structure quickly, provide steady strategic oversight without disrupting momentum, and ensure a smooth transition and handoff when the returning leader resumes the role.

Who You Are

You're a senior Brand Marketing leader with a track record of managing teams through transition periods. You're comfortable stepping into an existing org structure, building trust with direct reports quickly, and making sound calls on budget, prioritization, and people management without needing lengthy ramp-up. You know how to manage external agency relationships, keep wholesale/retail partners on track, and keep a CMO informed without becoming a bottleneck. You're equally comfortable in the weeds of a single campaign and in a strategic conversation about brand positioning.

Responsibilities

- Daily Operations: Manage day-to-day operations of the Brand Marketing team across all three direct reports and their extended teams.
- Strategic Oversight & Decision-Making: Provide strategic oversight and decision-making support to direct reports on budget, timelines, people management, prioritization, GTM execution, and cross-functional decisions, escalating anything outside existing parameters to the CMO.
- PR & Communications: Manage the relationship with external PR and communications agency and contractor(s), ensuring continuity across messaging, press opportunities, and deliverables. Provide strategic input on press materials, including press releases, talking points, pitches, messaging, and other external communications, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and priorities.
- Partnerships: Support the partnership funnel, including high-level vetting of inbound opportunities, routing and prioritizing requests, and providing marketing guidance on partnership initiatives as needed.
- Wholesale & Business Development – Retail Marketing: Provide retail marketing guidance and support to the Wholesale team, including Crate & Barrel, Target, and Walmart marketing program oversight, and additional needs as they arise.
- Cross-Functional Support & Orchestration: Support the flow of information and plans across teams so cross-functional leads have what they need, and so the Brand Marketing team's deadlines and commitments are honored in return.
- Brand Consistency & Guardrails: Ensure ongoing work stays aligned with existing brand guidelines and voice.
- Performance Management: Partner with the CMO on any performance management needs that arise, keep detailed notes after 1:1s, and share flags early.
- Reporting & Visibility: Provide regular updates to the CMO on team status, key wins, risks, and any decisions needing input, maintaining a consistent pulse check throughout the engagement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- 8+ years of progressive Brand Marketing experience, including people management, ideally with time spent managing managers.
- Demonstrated experience leading a brand marketing function end-to-end, including budget ownership, GTM execution, and cross-functional orchestration.
- Experience managing external PR/communications agencies and contributing to press strategy and materials.
- Experience with wholesale/retail marketing programs, ideally with major retail partners (e.g., big-box or specialty retail).
- Strong judgment on when to escalate vs. decide, with a track record of partnering effectively with senior leadership (CMO or equivalent).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience delivering concise, structured status updates to executive stakeholders.
- Comfortable stepping into an existing team and operating rhythm quickly, with minimal ramp-up time.
- Experience with performance management and providing coaching/feedback to direct reports.

Employment Type: Temporary Employee (W-2)

Start Date: November 1, 2026

End Date : April 30, 2027

Reports To: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Compensation: $13-15K per month

Benefits: As a temporary employee, this position will be eligible for Medical, Dental & Vision Plans. Eligible to contribute to 401(k) benefits and avail of company 3% match.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the role. Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed to meet business needs.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as during outreach, reviewing applications and analyzing resumes. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Caraway is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.