Program Manager- ABLE Savings Plan

at Ascensus in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Section 1: Position Summary

The Director of ABLE Savings Plan Advocacy and Growth will play a pivotal role in shaping our marketing strategy, establishing our brand presence, and driving the success of our ABLE savings plans in the market. They will need an ownership mentality and be able to autonomously manage outreach and messaging strategies and tactics. This role is highly visible and cross-functional, necessitating regular interactions with clients, division leadership, relationship management, product management, marketing, and other staff. They must serve internally and externally as a trusted resource for product knowledge, subject matter expertise, and industry insight. They will be responsible for identifying and nurturing relationships with national disability groups, nonprofits, local organizations, employers and other entities as identified.

Success in this role will demand:

· Developing a deep understanding of ABLE savings plans and the disability community

· Thinking strategically and creatively

· Consultation and influencing of internal and external stakeholders

· Strong project management abilities

Section 2: Job Functions, Essential Duties and Responsibilities

+ Develop and execute the overall marketing strategy for ABLE savings plans, aligning with company goals and objectives.

+ Develop and oversee product feature launch campaigns, ensuring successful market entry and brand recognition.

+ Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, relationship management, and client services, to ensure alignment of marketing efforts with product features and customer needs.

+ Identify and establish partnerships and collaborations that can enhance Ascensus’ brand and ABLE product visibility.

+ Develop strong client relationships

+ Craft compelling and differentiated ABLE positioning and messaging that resonates with prospective savers and advocacy groups and effectively communicates the unique value proposition of ABLE savings plans.

+ Develop marketing collateral, website content, and other resources necessary to support marketing efforts.

+ Conduct market research, analyze industry trends, gather client insights to inform product marketing strategies and influence product development decisions.

+ Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and impact of product marketing initiatives.

+ Develop and deliver presentations that showcase ABLE savings plans and drive adoption.

+ Adhere to and facilitate legal and compliance process and review

+ Implement required procedures for effective delivery of programs and materials

+ Inform creative briefs and review marketing agency’s execution of copy and design

+ Research and create content for RFP responses and presentations

+ Support public thought leadership efforts including proactive content creation and role as media spokesperson

+ Responsible for protecting, securing, and proper handling of all confidential data held by Ascensus to ensure against unauthorized access, improper transmission, and/or unapproved disclosure of information that could result in harm to Ascensus or our clients.

+ Our I-Client service philosophy and our Core Values of People Matter, Quality First and Integrity Always® should be visible in your actions on a day-to-day basis showing your support of our organizational culture.

Section 3: Experience, Skills, Knowledge Requirements

+ Demonstrated understanding of the disability community

+ A minimum of 10 years’ work experience, preferably in sales and marketing

+ Bachelor’s Degree preferred

+ Investment product knowledge preferred; 529 or 401(k) client management experience highly desired

+ Strong business sense and attention to detail

+ Willing to occasionally travel overnight and work some nights and weekends

+ Out-of-the box thinker, with a passion for envisioning new approaches and creating programs that inspire, motivate, and aim to “convert” interest into action

+ Must be able to work with internal constituents to develop strategic plans to ensure products and services are delivered in an exceptional manner to the marketplace

+ Wide range of technical expertise regarding industry and competitive landscape, regulatory environment, client interaction, marketing programs, tools and digital experience preferred

+ Ability to work within a team effectively and willingness to partner and develop strong relationships with other disciplines within the company toward the end of creating integrated, comprehensive programs

+ Ability to think strategically and to manage a large workload efficiently, including the ability lead others within the company

+ Willingness to handle tactical implementation at all levels and stages of development as needed

+ Ability to set marketing agendas consistent with company growth objectives

+ Delivery of strategic plan consistent with Ascensus’ I-Client philosophy

+ Strong communications and presentation skills – dynamic, creative, persuasive and succinct

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Ascensus provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, criminal conviction record or any other protected category in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local laws (“Protected Status”).