Job DescriptionJob SummaryThe Director, Brand & Retail Marketing leads the development and execution of integrated marketing strategies that drive customer engagement, traffic, sales, and brand growth across Walgreens' retail business. Reporting to the SVP, Marketing, this role serves as the primary marketing partner to Merchandising and Private Brands, translating business priorities into customer-centric marketing programs that deliver measurable business results.
Leading a team of marketers, this role provides strategic direction, coaching, and hands-on leadership across key retail categories, services, and initiatives. The Director partners closely with Merchandising, Private Brands, Media, Creative, Customer Insights & Research, Measurement & Analytics, Marketing Operations, agency partners, and external stakeholders to develop and activate integrated marketing plans that align business objectives, customer needs, and brand priorities.
Together with the team, this leader drives seasonal campaigns, promotional events, category growth initiatives, and retail marketing programs supporting Grocery, General Merchandise, Health & Wellness, Beauty, Photo, Lottery, and other front-of-store businesses. The Director helps bring customer, category, and brand strategies to life across paid, owned, earned, and in-store channels while ensuring programs are insight-driven, operationally sound, and optimized for impact.
This role is responsible for building team capability, fostering cross-functional collaboration, strengthening partnerships across the organization, and advancing marketing excellence while delivering measurable business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing strategies that support Walgreens' retail business objectives and customer growth goals.
- Serve as the primary marketing partner to Merchandising and Private Brands, translating commercial priorities into customer-centric marketing plans.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of marketers, fostering a high-performance culture and strong marketing capabilities.
- Drive seasonal campaigns, promotional events, category initiatives, and enterprise retail marketing programs.
- Partner with Media, Creative, Customer Insights & Research, Measurement & Analytics, and Marketing Operations to develop integrated go-to-market plans.
- Leverage customer insights, business performance, and market trends to inform marketing strategies and optimize results.
- Collaborate with agency partners and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality, impactful marketing programs.
- Ensure alignment across paid, owned, earned, and in-store channels to create cohesive customer experiences.
- Manage competing priorities while driving operational excellence across planning, execution, and performance management.
- Monitor campaign effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve customer engagement, marketing performance, and business impact.
- Champion innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across retail marketing initiatives.
Other Job Responsibilities - Builds the formal frameworks and methodologies for approaching major strategic issues both leveraging existing resources and creating new innovative concepts across the Company for area of expertise. Ensures process and structural fit with key stakeholders. Performs as a focal point for cross-functional teams and liaison to stakeholders in developing and implementing frameworks. Develops effective working relationships with stakeholders to achieve targeted goals and/or solutions.
- Counsels key stakeholders on areas of expertise. Partners cross-functionally to translate and define business needs for area of responsibility to execute against. Strategically partners cross-functionally to develop the strategies and actionable roadmap to meet goals. Develops short- and long-range strategies, plans and actionable goals. Oversees implementation of procedures, processes, and policies that have significant impact upon the organization.
- Makes recommendations for the formulation of the strategies and operating plans of the specified area of responsibility, then, based on prevailing conditions executes or adjusts the operating plans of the business unit directed.
- Shares complex information related to areas of expertise. Interacts with senior management to keep abreast of objectives. Interacts with direct reports and peers in management / customers / vendors to interpret information and improve cross-functional processes and programs. Builds and enhances key internal and external contacts.
- Works with external vendors and third parties to develop and maintain positive relationships. Builds and enhances internal and external partnerships.
- Sets financial, operational and quality objectives and develops/oversees operating plans for the area of responsibility.
- Ensures growth and optimization of consumer awareness, market share and/or specified initiatives.
- Reviews the competitive marketplace and makes recommendations for adjustments to operational and strategic activities based upon identified information.
- May develop budget for specified area of responsibility and delivers against business goals/objectives.
- Analyzes performance drivers, proactively determines actionable strategy, and then contributes to identifying solutions for mitigation and/or optimization to achieve overall business goals.
- Directs teams accountable for daily operations. Oversees and directs the work of managers, senior managers and their subordinates. Obtains and allocates resources to meet operating plans. Ensures the ongoing training and development of direct reports. Develops and mentors staff through on-boarding, open communication, training and development opportunities and performance management processes; builds and maintains employee morale and motivation; ensures the team is appropriately staffed with required competencies; fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace
External Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of marketing or advertising experience OR a high school diploma/GED and at least 9 years of marketing or advertising experience.
- Experience establishing & maintaining relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization, including the executive level.
- Experience developing strategic initiatives which align with business goals and budget.
- Experience identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams
- Experience interacting at the executive level.
- Experience managing client-facing programs.
- At least 2 years of experience contributing to financial decisions in the workplace.
- At least 3 years of direct leadership, indirect leadership and/or cross-functional team leadership.
- Willing to travel up to 10% of the time for business purposes (within state and out of state).
Preferred Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in retail marketing, brand marketing, integrated marketing, shopper marketing, category marketing, or related disciplines.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing marketing teams.
- Proven success developing and executing integrated marketing strategies and campaigns for retail, consumer, omnichannel, or customer-facing organizations.
- Experience partnering closely with Merchandising and Private Brand teams to drive category growth and business performance.
- Experience leading seasonal campaigns, promotional events, category initiatives, and retail marketing programs.
- Strong understanding of customer behavior, retail dynamics, brand strategy, and omnichannel marketing principles.
- Demonstrated ability to translate business priorities, customer insights, and commercial objectives into impactful marketing strategies.
- Experience collaborating with media, creative, customer insights, analytics, marketing operations, and agency partners in a highly matrixed organization.
- Strong strategic thinking, leadership, stakeholder management, and cross-functional influence skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and executive influence skills.
- Retail, shopper marketing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and/or brand-side marketing experience strongly preferred.
- Agency experience welcomed.
