Marketing Manager

Professional Experience

Mesirow Financial Chicago, IL

Vice President, Marketing Manager–Insurance Services Division December 2010 – October 2015

Manage all Insurance Services Division marketing strategies for new business, communications, industry-specific marketing initiatives and Division-wide brand standards, including managing a direct report

Lead Insurance Division Senior Management in developing a consistent Division-wide value proposition and advertising campaign that resonate with clients and prospects, including all brainstorming, strategy planning, creative direction, communications/PR strategy, internal communication/training and execution of initiatives as well as leading division-wide campaign kick-off meetings and tracking campaign success metrics

Create and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy plan for Divisional growth initiatives over a 12-month time frame, including time and resource budgeting, project measurement and allocations

Provide day-to-day marketing assistance for the Insurance Services teams (14 teams with various industry and product focuses), including developing fact sheets, brochures, website content, articles, newsletters and other collateral items geared toward industry- and product-specific selling, as well as general consultation on marketing strategy and planning

Work with the due diligence team during Divisional acquisitions to integrate marketing materials and web content into the Mesirow Financial brand

Set the strategy for and develop email campaigns/lists with producers, including internal and external news alerts and newsletters, telemarketing campaign scripts, advertising, social media and developing contact lists within Salesforce

Plan and manage events, seminars and webinars associated with the Insurance Services teams, including developing presentation materials with speakers/panel members and all event planning logistics

Research industry trends and risk issues for topical white papers and campaigns, including food manufacturing, food recall, construction, restaurant/hospitality, non-profits and healthcare

Marsh USA Inc. Chicago, IL

Project Manager June 2007 – December 2010

Led cross-functional, national and international teams in creating responses to requests for proposals across multiple industries, including education, manufacturing, retail/wholesale, healthcare, technology, professional services and public entities

Created and executed strategy for compiling, editing and writing value-based responses that aligned with client/prospect risk issues

Coached numerous teams in presenting capabilities during final stages of the RFP process, including creating presentation materials, timing, selecting appropriate presenters and leading rehearsals with specific feedback

Managed multiple projects with strict deadlines through virtual teams across the Midwest, which included managing projects with senior leadership within the organization and teams of up to 20 colleagues

Tracked and analyzed new business opportunity data to provide metrics for won and lost business, which included personal successes of over $4 million in new and retained business in 2009

Young Professionals of Chicago (YPC) Chicago, IL

Vice President of Operations January 2009 – December 2010

Led operational strategy, including managing directors for marketing, finance, IT and member recruitment

Developed new procedures for expense management, financial transparency, new Board on-boarding and orientation and budget planning

Worked with the Programming Director to plan events and develop strategic partnerships

Served on the Executive Board of Directors and led the overall direction of the organization

Director of Marketing December 2008 – January 2009

Created Marketing structure for YPC from the ground up, including organizational structure, branding guidelines and operational procedures

Developed and executed marketing strategy and timelines for 2009, including budgeting, vendor management and marketing strategies for 10 other committees within YPC

Managed a committee of 15, freelance graphic designers and an intern in executing objectives, including recruiting, evaluating and employment practices for vendors and interns

Professional Experience (continued)

United States Gypsum Corporation (USG) Chicago, IL

Associate Segment Marketing Manager, Contractors April 2006 – May 2007

Coordinated and tracked the success of NASCAR program that targeted customer product conversions

Researched and analyzed competitors to aid in evaluating acquisition targets

Researched the specialty dealer channel to pinpoint trends and issues

Analyzed and reviewed budgets and programs for end-of-year review

Managed relationships with third-party vendors, including conducting an inventory/cost analysis of warehoused items, website restructuring, event planning and marketing program oversight

Between January 2003 and April 2006, I held various marketing and public relations positions, including:

January – March 2006: Werner Public Relations, Inc. (Chicago, Illinois), Public Relations Intern

November 2004 – May 2005: NY & Company (Savannah, Georgia), Sales Associate

June – October 2004: Sullivan Higdon & Sink (Wichita, Kansas), Public Relations and Account Service Intern

June 2003 – May 2003: KOMU-TV8 (Columbia, Missouri), Promotions Intern

May 2003 – May 2004: University Concert Series (Columbia, Missouri), PR & Event Communications Intern

January – May 2003: Sarah Mitchell Partnership (London, England), Public Relations Intern

Education & Licenses

Loyola University Chicago: Chicago, Illinois

Master of Business Administration, concentrations in Marketing & International Business, with honors: May 2007

University of Missouri: Columbia, Missouri

Bachelor of Journalism-Advertising, Cum Laude: May 2004

Property & Casualty Producer License for Illinois

Skills

Highly proficient in all Microsoft Office applications; Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat Professional and Dreamweaver; and Quark Xpress, with a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator. Significant experience using Salesforce and Exact Target for CRM, list management and marketing distribution.

Skill set includes, but is not limited to, budget creation and analysis, team leadership and management, strategy and marketing program development, business plan creation, event planning, public relations, promotions (all media), industry and product competitor research, account management, design, production scheduling, media distribution, third-party management, writing, editing, brand development, directing group brainstorming, program measurement and analysis (including P&L), project management, international public relations and an ability to manage multiple projects and meet strict deadlines.

Awards and Organizations

2013 Mesirow Financial Norman Award for Innovation

Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society member

American Advertising Federation Alpha Delta Sigma honor society member

National Society of Collegiate Scholars member

2010 Half-Ironman Triathlon finisher

Young Professionals of Chicago Executive Board of Directors, past member

References available upon request.

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