Digital Marketing Manager, Marketplaces

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance based annual bonuses, stock options and training opportunities.

If you're looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role:

The Digital Marketing team is seeking a strategic and performance-driven Digital Marketing Manager, Marketplaces to help drive our brand's growth and presence across key third-party marketplace channels. Reporting to the Senior Director, Digital Marketing, this role will work in close partnership with our retail marketing team to create and execute digital marketplace advertising strategies that optimize brand visibility and eReader and accessory sales. You will apply digital marketing best practices to ensure our products rank higher, resonate more effectively with target audiences, and convert more efficiently on marketplace platforms around the world. You will support the direct-to-consumer advertising team as needed and apply learnings/insights across teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Marketing Management: Develop and execute comprehensive digital marketing strategies to drive sales, market share, and brand visibility across all relevant third-party marketplaces.
• Listing & Content Optimization: Strategically optimize product listings, content, brand storefronts, and video assets for maximum conversion rates and search engine visibility. This includes keyword research, compelling copywriting, and visual merchandising.
• Paid Media & Advertising Management: In partnership with retail marketing, plan, execute, and optimize paid advertising marketplace campaigns to maximize CPS and ROI.
• Product Launch & Ranking Maintenance: Develop and execute robust playbooks for new product introductions, ensuring strong initial performance and sustained organic visibility for longterm growth.
• Algorithm Mastery & SEO: Deep dive into marketplace algorithms to understand ranking factors, identify opportunities, and implement SEO-driven strategies to improve organic product discoverability and search result positioning.
• Performance Analysis & Optimization: Leverage advanced analytics to monitor and analyze key marketing metrics such as ROAS, search rank, share of voice, conversion rates, and customer reviews. Translate data into actionable insights to continuously optimize campaigns and content.
• Shopify Growth & Extension: Work closely with the Senior Manager, eCommerce to expand Shopify Marketplaces, Social Marketplaces, Shop App Campaigns, and ChatGPT Shopping.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Brand & Product Marketing, Creative, Sales and Operations to ensure marketing efforts are fully supported and ensure product availability supports marketing initiatives.
• Reporting & Insights: Provide regular, in-depth performance reports to stakeholders, highlighting key marketing successes, areas for improvement, and strategic recommendations for sustained growth.
• Competitive Intelligence: Continuously monitor competitor marketing strategies, product launches, pricing, and advertising tactics to identify market opportunities.
• New Channel Exploration: Research and evaluate new marketplace and social commerce opportunities, assessing their marketing potential and fit with our brand strategy.

Skillset & Qualifications:

• 5+ years' experience in digital marketing, including SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, paid advertising, and conversion rate optimization.
• Proven experience driving growth on major third-party marketplaces (i.e. Amazon, Best sBuy, Target, eBay, Walmart, etc.)
• Demonstrable expertise in brand building, enhancing brand presence and awareness across various marketplaces.
• Proven experience managing significant advertising budgets, with a focus on ROAS.
• Capable of extracting marketing insights and optimizing performance based on data and fluent in dashboards and tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or similar advanced analytics platforms.
• Strong familiarity with various e-commerce platforms and tools beyond marketplaces (e.g., Shopify, Google Analytics).
• Excellent communication skills, working with fast-moving, entrepreneurial teams, adept at collaborating cross-functionally and driving initiatives forward.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with international marketplaces.
• Certifications in relevant marketplace advertising platforms (e.g., Amazon Ads Certification).

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• Subsidized in-office lunches
• Full benefits starting from your first day
• Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching
• Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid
• Lifestyle spending account
• Talent and development training budget
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Maternity/paternity leave top up
• Dog friendly office

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world's most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

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