Marketing & Business Development Manager

Company Description
At Waterfront Restoration and Jingle Bulbs Christmas Lighting, we specialize in two things: 1. Helping people actually enjoy their lake (because swimming through weeds is not the vibe). 2. Creating jaw-dropping holiday light displays (minus the Griswold-level frustration). We're a fast-growing, seasonal service company that works hard to make summers weed-free and winters extra twinkly. Basically, we make people's homes the envy of the neighborhood-whether it's their lakeshore or their holiday dcor. www.waterfrontrestoration.com www.jinglebulbschristmaslighting.com

Job Description
Marketing & Business Development Manager

Location: Long Lake, Minnesota (In-person position)

Reports to: Director of Business Operations

Direct Reports: 1 full-time employee, 1 remote part-time employee

Indirect Oversight: 5 interns

How to Apply:

Apply directly at: https://www.waterfrontrestoration.com/employment/

Important: Applications submitted through any other method will not be considered.

Position Overview:

As the Marketing & Business Development Manager, you will drive the company's growth by overseeing marketing direction, customer acquisition, and retention. You will lead marketing initiatives, recruitment for the sales and marketing team, client communications, and business development.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced role that blends leadership, creativity, and sales strategy. You'll be shaping the marketing vision for both Jingle Bulbs and Waterfront Restoration, making sure our customers have an experience so good they'll never want to leave.

Seasonal Flow:

• Peak Season (May-December): High-energy sales, marketing execution, and closing holiday lighting deals.
• Offseason (December-May): Strategic planning, process improvement, and customer retention (aka, setting things up for an even bigger year ahead).

Key Responsibilities:

Marketing & Sales Leadership:

• Oversee and execute Jingle Bulbs and Waterfront Restoration marketing plans, ensuring brand consistency and lead generation.
• Develop and manage marketing campaigns, tracking performance across digital, print, and direct mail channels.
• Lead the company's mass email marketing efforts, database segmentation, and campaign effectiveness analysis.
• Develop and refine postcard marketing strategies, including copywriting, list selection (lakes/timing), and campaign success metrics.
• Utilize AI tools (e.g., chatbots, automated responders, AI-driven customer service training) to improve marketing and customer interactions.
• Drive SEO, social media, PPC, and content marketing efforts to maximize lead generation.

Sales & Business Development:

• Assist in watercraft inspection sales, including proposals, customer outreach, and contract negotiations.
• Identify and implement new sales strategies, for waterfront and Jingle Bulbs, optimizing processes like prospecting, customer service, and mass texting campaigns.
• Develop strategies for price increases, renewals, and year-end data analysis to maximize profitability.
• Manage holiday lighting proposals and sales, ensuring smooth operations in the fall season.

Customer & Prospect Interaction:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-value clients and key accounts.
• Handle limited client inquiries, prepare quotes, and follow up on leads via phone, email, and text.
• Oversee customer journey enhancements, implementing feedback loops, surveys, and improved service processes.

Team Management & Recruiting:

• Directly lead and mentor 1 full-time employee, 1 remote part-time employee, and oversee 5 interns.
• Lead recruitment efforts for the sales & marketing team, including all HR duties such as job postings, resume reviews, and interviews.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance management for team members and interns.

Data Analysis & Process Improvement:

• Utilize advanced Excel analysis for county list filtering, historical sales trends, and decision-making.
• Conduct competitive analysis, job performance reviews, and business performance tracking.
• Implement capacity management strategies to optimize scheduling and team efficiency.
• Analyze travel time reduction opportunities to improve operational workflow.

Seasonal Focus:

• In this role, you'll primarily be working independently in a shared workspace alongside colleagues who are also focused on their own tasks. Most days are fairly quiet, characterized by extended periods of independent work at your desk, occasionally broken up by meetings, collaborative discussions, and informal chit-chat. It's ideal for someone comfortable with quiet, focused environments, who also enjoys brief social interactions and teamwork throughout the day.
• Summer (May-Aug): Lead marketing projects, manage interns, and drive sales.
• Fall (Sep-Dec): Assist with Christmas lighting sales, maintain marketing efforts, and finalize key revenue-generating strategies.
• Winter (Dec-Apr): Focus on renewals, strategic planning, and marketing improvements while maintaining a balance of remote and in-office work.
• The average workweek is 40 hours year-round. Vacation and PTO are primarily taken during the winter months, with limited time off during peak season months.

Compensation:

Base Salary + Performanc-Based Bonuses= Total Estimated Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000, depending on experience and skills.

How to Apply:

This job is perfect for someone who's equal parts strategic thinker, marketing guru, and sales expert-with a knack for making things happen. If you're ready to take on a leadership role in a company that makes lakes weed-free and holidays magical, we'd love to hear from you!

Apply directly at: https://www.waterfrontrestoration.com/employment/

Questions? Email Derek at derek@waterfrontrestoration.com (but please don't reply directly to this posting)

Requirements

What We're Looking For:

• 3+ years of experience in sales, marketing, business development, or a related field.
• Proven ability to manage teams, marketing campaigns, and business growth strategies.
• Strong customer service and communication skills-comfortable speaking with clients over the phone and email.
• Experience with Google Suite, CRM systems, Asana, and social media marketing.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and eager to learn.
• Tech-savvy and AI-curious-able to leverage automation tools to streamline processes.
• Associates or Bachelors degree

Benefits

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• 401(k) matching & health insurance
• Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday)
• Balance of in-office and remote work. Enjoy the flexibility to choose when to work from home or in the office for much of the year. During peak season, you'll primarily be in the office but still have the option to start your day at home and come in later or leave early and wrap up remotely.
• Paid time off & mileage reimbursement
• Ongoing training & professional development opportunities
• We're a small, close-knit company, and while this provides a collaborative environment and the chance to have a direct impact, it also means our organizational structure is quite flat with limited upward mobility into "managerial positions". Growth here is less about climbing a ladder and more about gaining depth of experience, managing interns, and receiving modest salary increases each year.