Aviation Marketing Manager
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Employment Type: Full-Time, Core Business Hours
Role Overview
A leading aviation technology company is seeking a dedicated and experienced Aviation Marketing Manager to join its team in Olathe, Kansas. This pivotal full-time role involves leading the comprehensive development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns for innovative aviation products. This position demands a unique blend of technical expertise and creative strategy, essential for translating complex avionics technologies into compelling narratives that resonate with pilots and aviation professionals. The Manager will drive product positioning, messaging, and market engagement across diverse digital and traditional platforms.
The Aviation Marketing Manager will collaborate extensively with in-house creative teams, product engineering, sales, and other departments. A deep understanding of flying, avionics, and the broader aviation industry will be critical in shaping product messaging and positioning. This hands-on role encompasses the entire campaign lifecycle, from crafting persuasive copy and planning productions to optimizing targeting and executing across digital channels, including social media and email. The successful candidate will guide teams to demonstrate value and drive engagement, ultimately bringing innovative products to life for customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies for aviation products and services, including company positioning for future trade shows, assessing competitive campaigns, and evaluating advertising/marketing execution quality.
- Define clear product and feature positioning, identify key benefits, target markets, and establish robust go-to-market strategies.
- Lead and manage the entire marketing campaign lifecycle, encompassing copy creation, production planning, target audience optimization, and execution across all digital platforms.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product engineering, sales, and creative teams to transform intricate technical specifications into impactful marketing communications.
- Host and facilitate regular marketing meetings with sales leadership to aid in the development of product marketing plans for new product introductions.
- Develop and maintain 3-year product and technology roadmaps to strategically guide future marketing initiatives and product rollouts.
- Conduct thorough competitive analysis on a routine basis, including extensive research at trade shows, and lead market research efforts to inform strategy.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for digital marketing initiatives, including social media, webinars, forums, web search, and other digital advertising channels.
- Build and deliver compelling product presentations, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of products and articulating competitive benefits to customers and partners.
- Contribute significantly to the development of high-impact printed collateral, website content, press releases, marketing memos, and product launch materials, including writing and editing copy, and coordinating logistics.
- Train sales teams on product selling points and provide detailed competitive analysis to enhance their effectiveness.
- Ensure product financials align seamlessly with overall product strategy and established pricing guidelines.
- Participate actively in trade shows and regional events to demonstrate products and articulate their value proposition.
- Contribute customer, market, and product knowledge to internal cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Identify and assess opportunities for expanding the product line to effectively serve evolving aviation market needs.
- Influence and lead diverse teams from various internal and external organizations, ensuring cohesive campaign execution.
- Provide strategic marketing input for new product concepts and contribute innovative strategies to stimulate sales growth.
- Maintain a rolling 12-month advertising direction and provide timely, detailed notes and action plans following key marketing meetings.
Required Qualifications
- Education & Experience: A Master's Degree with a minimum of one year of relevant experience, OR a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of three years of relevant experience.
- Aviation Acumen: Possession of a Private Pilot certificate, an aviation technical background, or demonstrated proficiency in effectively marketing the added benefits of aviation products to customers.
- Industry Knowledge: Basic knowledge of the avionics industry and relevant aviation products.
- Marketing & Business Skills: Demonstrated business-to-business analytical, financial, strategic thinking, and marketing skills, coupled with proven ability to solve problems through analysis and best practices.
- Strategy Development: Proven knowledge in developing and executing strategy and growth plans for new products and markets, alongside strong technical product knowledge.
- Communication: Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including effective presentation abilities and public speaking proficiency.
- Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
- Work Ethic: A positive, detail-oriented, accuracy-focused, organized, team-oriented, and driven problem-solver. Must be a proactive multi-tasker and self-starter with the ability to prioritize and work efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate and interface effectively with all levels of management and associates.
Desired Qualifications
- A minimum of two years of experience managing and promoting high-technology products from inception through sunset.