National Director, Field Marketing

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges. 

We have an exciting opportunity available at our corporate office headquartered in Bloomington, MN.  The National Director, Field Marketing is responsible for the strategy, planning, budgeting, presentation, execution, and measurement of regional, DMA-based and local store marketing initiatives in an effort to help the U.S. franchisee system and company reach same store sales, profit and brand development goals.  Collaborate and communicate with cross-functional teammates, franchisee leadership, regional agencies and vendors to achieve goals. Hire, train, coach/develop and evaluate the field marketing team who will be responsible for executing the field marketing strategies. Gain and maintain support, trust, and respect of all key constituents throughout the process of achieving objectives.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Field Marketing Strategy and Plan Development

• Responsible for building and scaling the strategic plan, road map, execution and optimization of the field marketing discipline to drive consistent year-over-year sales, increased profitability and data-driven insights on campaigns and initiatives.  This should result in an annual marketing communication plan for localized initiatives including builds on major national programs, Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMNH) fundraising tactics, and more.
• In alignment with national media team, oversee local media planning and budgeting with the field marketing team by holding agencies accountable for media buying performance, attaining media added value, budget compliance and ensuring proper communication with franchisees is upheld.
• Develop and execute marketing plans and program support for new store development growth.
• Constantly seek strategic ways to enhance the DQ systems field agency structure and processes.
• Add subject matter expertise to processes in place for the development of creative needs and media planning and placement.

Elevation of Local Store Marketing

• Generate tools for local efforts to extend national promotions.
• Oversee local store marketing strategy and tools available for franchisees including geofenced digital marketing, coupon marketing, print on demand solutions, social media assets, fundraising tools.
• Offer trade area surveys and root cause analysis to support stores or markets in need of additional support.
• Develop and execute cross functional projects and programs aimed at growing sales.
• Collaborate to improve and evolve new store marketing performance.
• Grow franchisee fundraising efforts for CMNH.

Brand Initiative Communication and Alignment

• Collaborate closely with Operations team to determine appropriate strategies to meet corporate sales goals. Participate in the development and implementation of integrated business plans for assigned markets in the region to achieve strategic objectives and effectively communicate brand initiatives.
• Provide relevant business and financial analysis of key issues to internal and external shareholders including comp sales, sales trends by category or geography and sales/profit results generated by specific media/promotional activity.
• Support efforts to maximize participation in the national marketing calendar and within the National Marketing Fund.
• Plan, produce and execute communication, meetings and calls with franchisees and franchisee leaders in cooperation with the field marketing managers and all necessary cross functional teams.

Management of Field Marketing Professionals

• Continuously coach and advise assigned team members in the execution of their responsibilities.
• Hire high performing staff with skills that are relevant to the needs of the business.  Conduct onboarding and training for new staff
• Establish clear direction and performance expectations, monitors progress and results on an ongoing basis.
• Recognize contributions on an ongoing basis; celebrates individual and team accomplishments.
• Creates focus on the right priorities, eliminates roadblocks, and provides solutions to day-to-day problems for staff.

Education/Experience:

• B.A. or B.S. Degree in Business Management, Marketing or related field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. MBA preferred.
• Must have 10 years of progressively responsible Marketing experience, with Field Marketing experience.
• Experience managing a field-based marketing team preferred.
• Experience in local media planning, buying and reconciliation.
• Experience managing agency relationships.

Skills:

• Demonstrated cross-functional project management skills, required.
• Leadership and Influencing Skills: Demonstrated strength at persuading, influencing and exercising leadership cross-functionally, to drive decisions and project plans.
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills: Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor team members in the effective execution of their job duties.
• Strategic Marketing Leadership:  Demonstrated ability to develop strategies for achieving business goals, to translate business strategies into clear objectives and tactics, and to proactively anticipate future trends or problems, their potential impact, and how to address them with relevant strategies.
• Creative thinker with a track record of developing marketing-related innovative ideas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong presentation writing skills, demonstrating an ability to understand the unique information needs of the audience, and strategically frame up a focused and impactful message. Strong in-person presentation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients.
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment. Ability to coordinate with other departments Concept Support Services, Operations, Legal to complete projects on time.
• Strong knowledge and familiarity with the Restaurant Industry, and of restaurant operations.
• Intermediate math skills, including percentages and cost of goods.
• Experience working within a franchisor organization, preferably a QSR brand.
• Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Job requires:

• Travel required for meetings with teammates, franchisees, territory operators and required meetings. Travel could meet or exceed 25-30%.
• Valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets the requirements of IDQ insurance program.

The US national base salary range for this position is $141,411 - $176,764. This position is also eligible for a bonus. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for positions across all US locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location and relevant education or experience.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more!  To learn more about our great benefit offerings, Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 2 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  Positions will be identified as “remote eligible” when consideration will be given to candidates outside of drivable distance to our Bloomington office.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.