Careers | Talent Optimization Partners

TOP is a fast-growing company with an exciting business model. We need exceptional talent in a variety of functional areas as a part of that plan. Most urgently we are seeking a Marketing Director and a Senior Associate. Please see the Position Descriptions below and submit your qualifications and résumé for consideration to info@talentoptimizationpartners.com.

Position Specification - Marketing Director

The Company

Talent Optimization Partners, LLC (“TOP”) is a talent management consulting and career management services company (http://talentoptimizationpartners.com). It serves corporations, fast-growing companies and government entities. It specializes in leadership assessment, talent acquisition and retention, diversity recruiting and executive coaching services. It is the parent company to the Career Mapping brand based on the book, Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work by Ginny Clarke and Echo Garrett, released May 2011 (http://mycareermapping.com). Through TOP, the proprietary Career Mapping process is delivered to corporate consulting clients for the benefit of their employees through individually customized coaching programs, workshops and group training. Retail delivery of the Career Mapping process is through book sales, webinars, DVD’s, CD’s and other proprietary or licensed products marketed on-line or through retail outlets.

Ginny Clarke the founder and CEO of TOP is a former partner at the global executive search firm Spencer Stuart. During her 12 year tenure, she was a member of the Financial Services and Financial Officer Practices and co-founded and led their global Diversity Practice. She is regarded as a thought leader in talent acquisition and diversity recruitment strategies. Prior to Spencer Stuart, Ginny spent 12 years in the real estate investment management and banking industries with Prudential Real Estate Investors, Jones Lang LaSalle and First National Bank of Chicago (now Chase).

The Position

The Marketing Director is critical to the growth of TOP as this person will assist in the strategic branding and long-term positioning of the TOP and Career Mapping brands to drive significant revenue growth domestically and internationally. This person will be responsible for development of all Career Mapping products, services, licensing and affiliate relationships. He or she will oversee communications and collateral materials, including newsletters, brochures, presentations, flyers, etc. The successful candidate will be able to combine the rigor of research and analytics with creativity and innovation to assist in not only building the brand, but the business.

The Marketing Director will also drive the all important digital and social media strategies and their implementation given the predominant on-line distribution of products and services. Social media activities will include preparation of content for company web sites, blogging and a constant presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Digital media will include production of and enhancements to an app, videos, podcasts, webinars and other on-line teaching methods. He or she will also have experience with direct marketing and mailing list management. The successful candidate will be highly adaptable and comfortable in a start-up situation. This person will be expected to work independently and demonstrate great attention to detail. He or she must be hands-on and act as the primary liaison for outsourced public relations and other related marketing services.

Responsibilities

Set and implement strategies for short and long term viability.
Develop branding strategies for TOP, Career Mapping and other assets of TOP.
Oversee product development, production, and pricing of retail products and corporate services, including seminars, webinars, DVD’s/CD’s, videos and podcasts.
Produce communications/materials – newsletter, brochures, presentations, flyers, press kit, advertisements.
Maintain social and digital media presence including web site content and design, as well as Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, blogging, and YouTube.
Leverage cross-selling strategies for TOP and Career Mapping such as bulk book buys, speaking engagements and appearances.
Manage mailing list and direct marketing activities including proprietary and purchased lists.
Coordinate public relations, promotions and event planning activities.

Key Competencies

Strategy and planning - develop strategic and marketing plans
Branding and product management – create, build and manage competitive products and services.
Marketing program implementation – develop and deliver effective communications, pricing policies; manage channels, customer relationships and projects.
Research, insights and analysis – gather and synthesize relevant data to understand markets and segments.
Measure effectiveness – establish, promote and use metrics to improve effectiveness.

Ideal Experience

Have an undergraduate degree in marketing, communications or a related degree; MBA preferred.
At least 5 years in responsible positions such as brand manager or marketing manager, in a large or small company with well-developed marketing operations, ideally consumer packaged goods, direct marketing, learning products or publishing organizations.
Demonstrated success in managing public relations and interacting with designers, printers and other vendors. Ability to negotiate effectively and represent corporate interests.

Position Specification - Senior Associate

The Company

The Position

The Senior Associate focuses his or her efforts on TOP’s Enterprise business serving corporate and other organizational clients. He or she will initially support the President and CEO, and later other Engagement Leaders providing career management and diversity recruiting services. Consequently, the ideal background for this person is professional services, namely management consulting, executive search or human resources consulting.

This person will conduct research to prepare for business development pitches as well as execution and delivery of consulting services are required, as are technological skills given the web-based delivery of several searches. He or she will have client interface and therefore must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Exceptional analytical, problem-solving and project management skills are also required.

The next role for this person would be as an Engagement Leader responsible for business development and execution after demonstrated ability to consistently provide quality support and client service.

Responsibilities

Support new business development (BD) opportunities by researching BD targets including relevant strategic challenges, competitors, leadership, etc.
Contribute actively to the start-up phase of the engagement by participating in client kick-off meetings with the Engagement Leader and assist in the development of the engagement strategy.
Develop and present outstanding analysis and/or prospects to the Engagement Leader.
Prepare information for the client progress report/meeting by teaming with the Engagement Leader and the Executive Assistant. Be organized and well-prepared for update or progress meetings by anticipating the information needs of others.
Provide an informed perspective on project development or prospects/candidates and how they line up (or not) against the key criteria outlined by the client.
Add to the company’s knowledge by identifying and beginning to develop expertise in a defined industry or sector (e.g. government, universities, small businesses, etc.) for search services this includes functional or geographic candidate pool.

Key Competencies

Communication Skills: Ensures that the engagement team has a clear, unambiguous understanding of the client need and search strategy by:
- Involvement in new business preparation including sharing market knowledge and potential questions to ask client based on understanding of client situation at this stage.
- Attending the client meeting (or participating by phone) to improve understanding of the client, situation, and culture of the organization.
- Securing information/resources that will impact focus, speed and efficiency of the process.

Results Orientation: Formulates business plans and strategies and holds oneself accountable for performance by:

Leveraging upon the rapport built with colleagues by being available to assist by accessing his/her network of contacts across the company or in the market to “get smart” quickly.
Utilizing the on-line tools and the company’s database to pull relevant information quickly and efficiently.
Using experience and judgment to determine what information is the minimum necessary to get started; imperative to get off to a fast start.

Project Management: Manages projects to a high quality outcome as measured by Engagement Leader/client feedback, when working on several assignments with competing deadlines, multiple engagement leaders with differing styles, and/or clients with challenging requirements/expectations by:
- Assisting in the content side of client ready documentation – as requested by the Engagement leader. This could include helping with proposals, storyboards, presentations and progress reports.
- Constantly reassessing priorities in own workload, aligning available resources effectively and making adjustments if required.
- Taking ownership for the process by committing to deadlines, communicating progress regularly and delivering on that commitment. Anticipating what needs to happen next to drive the engagement to conclusion.

Technological Aptitude: Stay abreast of organizational learning and design trends that effect the demand for enterprise career management and recruiting solutions by:
- Providing content direction to app and e-learning course including translating clients needs to interactive customized products.
- Exhibit facility with web-based products to be able to demonstrate, sell and troubleshoot products.

Ideal Experience

Have an undergraduate degree, advanced degree preferred with at least five years of executive search or professional services experience, or corporate experience in human resources or diversity and inclusion.
Experience working in a consulting environment and/or a role where multiple projects and competing demands are the norm.