Creative Strategist (Direct Response)

Visa - San Francisco, CA

Full-time - Director

Hybrid - San Francisco, CA

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities

About the position

The Creative Strategist specializing in Direct Response at Visa's internal creative agency, Ad Hock, will lead a new team focused on developing personalized direct response marketing campaigns for Visa's largest clients in the banking, fintech, financial services, and merchant sectors. This director-level role involves overseeing campaign strategy, collaborating with various internal teams, and implementing marketing technology to enhance customer acquisition and retention. The position is hybrid, requiring in-office presence 2-3 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team of direct response professionals, providing direction, support, and performance management.
• Oversee Direct Response campaign strategy design and implement comprehensive lifecycle marketing strategies for Visa's clients.
• Work closely with internal teams, such as Client Marketing Services, Creative, Media, and Delivery, to align strategies and deliver effective resources to prospects and customers.
• Partner with subject matter experts to write and optimize content that supports lifecycle strategies, including email and mail content, checklists, and in-app placements.
• Identify and evaluate the need to implement the best marketing automation tools to drive customer acquisition, revenue, and retention.
• Establish and track metrics. Provide real-time reporting and make data-driven decisions to enhance the program.
• Ensure compliance with direct response and email best practices, including design, deliverability, and cadence.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor's Degree or at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD.
• Minimum 8 years of marketing experience in consumer-facing integrated marketing strategies such as Lifecycle, Direct Response, Digital Campaigns, Payment Card Marketing etc.
• At least 5 years of experience in the banking, payments, or financial sectors, including strong knowledge of the direct response landscape and best practices.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in people management, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing marketing teams.
• Deep expertise in marketing automation tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with data to drive insights and make informed decisions.

Nice-to-haves

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor's Degree or 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD.
• Deep experience in both traditional and digital DR platforms, channels, and best practices.
• Ability to distill strategy from the marketing team, translating and communicating how it informs creative work, with the goal of driving engagement and acquisition.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally to ensure the successful execution of marketing programs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at multiple levels of the organization.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• FSA/HSA
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Wellness Program