Ethos Life

Direct Mail Acquisition Marketing Director

Ethos Life$150K — $266K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of direct response marketing experience, with 5+ years in direct mail focusing on user acquisition
  • Expertise in leading in-house direct mail programs with a robust data strategy
  • Strong knowledge of direct mail economics, such as cost per piece (CPP) targets
  • Proven track record in managing creative strategy and implementing testing protocols
  • Ability to function autonomously as a senior individual contributor, prioritizing and driving results effectively
  • Excellent communication skills with an executive presence to influence senior leaders
  • Preferred experience in the Fintech or Insurtech industries
  • Advanced proficiency with Excel and experience using AI tools like Hex, Claude, and Gemini.
  • Eager to build a new program in a dynamic startup setting.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement a comprehensive direct mail acquisition strategy within the first 60 days
  • Manage partnerships for data appending and collaborate with Data Science to create propensity models
  • Oversee the creative strategy aspects, including messaging and A/B testing based on performance data
  • Negotiate pricing with print vendors to meet cost per piece targets based on projected mail volumes
  • Define and analyze send volumes and cadence to enhance profitability and KPI performance
  • Present program performance and strategic plans to senior leadership in regular meetings
  • Stay updated on industry trends and act as a direct mail expert for the organization
  • Collaborate with various internal teams to ensure effective program execution.

Benefits

  • Diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace environment
  • Flexible working conditions, including remote work options
  • Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
  • Access to comprehensive benefits, details of which can be found on the company's careers page.
Full Job Description


About the role

As the Direct Mail Acquisition Marketing Director at Ethos, you will own and be accountable for building and scaling our direct mail program from the ground up. This is a senior individual contributor role spanning both strategy and hands-on execution with full ownership of program performance, budget, list strategy, vendor relationships, creative testing, and measurement.

Ethos is destined for big things and we are betting that you will take the initiative and contribute to our success! As Ethos is a fast-growing startup, you will work closely with colleagues across multiple teams and senior management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Design and own the end-to-end direct mail acquisition strategy, building the program from the ground up with a clear roadmap for scale in the first 60 days
  • Manage data append partnerships and partner with Data Science to develop propensity models
  • Own creative strategy including form factors, messaging, personalization, paper stock with a rigorous A/B testing roadmap grounded in performance data
  • Manage print vendors, negotiating pricing to hit CPP targets based on mail volume commitments
  • Define send volumes and cadence based on marginal profitability analysis; track weekly and monthly performance across the full funnel and make adjustments to improve KPIs
  • Drive executive communications by presenting program performance and forward-looking strategies in biweekly and quarterly meetings with senior leadership
  • Function as the expert in direct mail and stay current on industry trends, data vendors, creative best practices, and competitive programs
  • Partner with internal teams (e.g. Creative, Data Science, MarTech, Product, Finance) to effectively drive all aspects of the program

Qualifications and Skills:
  • 7+ years of direct response marketing experience with 5+ years specifically in direct mail, where user acquisition was critical to the company's growth. Ideally managing $20M+ annual spend
  • Deep expertise leading in-house direct mail programs with sophisticated data strategy
  • Strong command of direct mail economics (e.g. CPP targets, print & postage cost structures)
  • Track record of owning creative strategy with rigorous testing & documented learning agendas
  • Proven ability to operate as a senior IC: working autonomously to set strategy, execute hands-on, prioritize effectively, and drive results
  • Executive presence and communication skills to influence senior leaders, drive cross-functional alignment, and build buy-in for high impact growth strategies
  • Fintech or Insurtech industry background strongly preferred
  • Advanced Excel and ability to work effectively with AI tools (Hex, Claude, Gemini)
  • Excited by the chance to build a program from scratch in a fast-paced startup environment

#LI-Remote #LI-CM1

The US national base salary range for this full-time position is $150,000 - $266,000. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only and do not include applicable bonus, equity, or benefits.

You can find further details of our US benefits at https://www.ethoslife.com/careers/

Don't meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. At Ethos we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace.

About Ethos Life

Ethos Life is a life insurance company that offers term life insurance policies online. The company's policies are designed to be simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone. Ethos Life uses technology to streamline the application process and provide customers with instant quotes and coverage. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
Learn more about Ethos Life
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2016

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