Technical Marketing Operations Manager

Purpose of the Position

The Technical Marketing Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in strengthening Thorlabs’ position as a leading photonics tools manufacturer by overseeing the efforts of all Science Writers, ensuring timely, high-quality output of website presentations, marketing collateral, and other technical content that aligns with the organization’s brand. All published content needs to conform to Thorlabs’ graphical and layout design standards, be technically comprehensive and accurate, and be completed within established timelines. This position requires familiarity with Thorlabs’ portfolio, a comprehensive understanding of Thorlabs’ organizational and marketing priorities, and proven leadership/mentorship skills.  

Although this position reports into the Newton, NJ office, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations. 

Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:

Management/Leadership

• Through training, ensures all new Science Writers are fully comfortable executing all marketing responsibilities within 24 months of hire. 

• Develops and implements SOPs, maintaining a philosophy of continuous improvement when it comes to process improvements. Deploys processes and changes that enhance group productivity and minimize the time it takes to address critical issues pertaining to the information we publish.

• Coaches' employees, as needed, to ensure presentations articulate the unique value proposition of our technical products.
• Oversees implementation of content strategies that improve speed of product selection and strengthen Thorlabs’ position as a leading manufacturer of photonics equipment.
• Modifies the focus area of Science Writers, as needed, to balance delivery timeline needs across new product introduction, website updates, tradeshows, or other marketing deliverables.
• Partners with senior management on annual budget.

Collaboration/Communication:

• Coaches Science Writers as appropriate to enhance communication skills and interactions with colleagues throughout the organization.
• Guides teams, clearly and effectively communicating desired outcomes and addressing issues in a timely fashion.
• Collaborates with business unit leaders, product line managers, engineers, and other subject matter experts as needed to gather information and ensure content accuracy and delivery timelines.
• Partners with the Graphics Production Supervisor, as needed, to prioritize imagery requests and ensure quality standards for imagery are understood and met.
• Works closely with Digital Marketing management to ensure ecommerce content bolsters marketing campaigns and sales initiatives, as appropriate.
• Partners with Tradeshow Coordinator(s) to ensure all tradeshow material needs are finalized within the necessary timelines and technically accurate.
  

Data-Driven Metrics & Decision Making

• Defines and tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) for Technical Marketing activities and individual Science Writer contributions.

• Obtains data from the sales cube and Google Analytics as necessary to answer product-specific questions for which the answers influence web placement/updates

New Product Introduction

• In collaboration with the Director of Technical Content, monitors all NPI activities to ensure presentations are finalized within 24 hours of having all information and inventory available from the releasing business unit/entity.
• Coaches, supports, develops, and mentors Science Writers to ensure web presentations and visual navigation updates prepared for new product introduction (NPI) are of high quality, technically accurate, align with the organization’s brand, and meet graphical requirements.

• Using feedback from Editorial Content Strategists and/or the Director of Technical Content, addresses knowledge gaps of various team members.

• Oversees the creation of new product presentations to support acquisitions as appropriate.

Website Updates/Enhancements

• Ensures all website updates stemming from Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) are comprehensively implemented in all necessary locations and approved within 24 hours of receipt.
• Prioritizes requests to the Technical Marketing Inbox, ensuring all critical updates are addressed promptly.

• Ensures web updates are of high quality, technically accurate, align with the organization’s brand/design standards, meet graphical requirements, and are delivered/finalized within the necessary timelines. Partners with the eCommerce Project Manager and other key stakeholders to identify, develop, and test new tools and features that further enhance the shopping experience on Thorlabs’ website.

• Partners with the Director of Technical Content and VP of Marketing & Brand to align trademark efforts WW

• Leverages information from our internal SEO expert to oversee updates to presentations as appropriate to increase traffic and organic rankings; works with the SEO expert to have periodic trainings for the team.

Qualifications

Experience:

• 2+ years of technical marketing experience in the photonics industry, preferably in management, OR 7+ years of management experience in the scientific sector.

Education:

• Advanced degree in experimental physics or a closely related field with extensive hands-on photonics experience preferred OR a bachelor’s degree with follow-on PMP and/or management course trainings
• Strong coaching/mentorship skills
• Excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills necessary to lead, manage, and execute complex projects from concept to final product.
• Able to multitask, be detail oriented, solve problems, and work under tight time constraints.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working in a team environment.

• Excellent communication skills to mediate and manage projects internally and in collaboration with other teams.

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and presentation skills in English.

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.