The VP Marketing will be a builder and operator who establishes the foundations of world-class marketing at GSTS, owning our end-to-end marketing strategy and execution as we scale our dual-use maritime AI platform across Defence & Security and Shipping/Supply Chain. Reporting to the COO, this leader will shape our positioning, build a repeatable pipeline engine, and create the marketing operating system that aligns Sales, Product, and Customer Success. It's a high-impact role with direct influence on growth, brand, and commercialization. If you enjoy creating clarity in complex technical domains and building a marketing function that drives measurable revenue outcomes as a hands-on player/coach, this is a rare opportunity to lead from the front.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Own marketing strategy and execution to grow pipeline and bookings across two motions: Defence & Security and Shipping/Supply Chain.
• Positioning and messaging leadership: Clarify ICPs and personas per segment, and sharpen value proposition, differentiation, and proof points.
• Sales enablement and field support: Build and maintain core sales assets (pitch deck, brochures, case studies, solution briefs) aligned to buyer stages and objections.
• Event and conference engine: Plan and execute conference strategy end-to-end.
• Demand generation with measurement discipline: Establish the channel mix appropriate to stage (events, outbound support, partners, targeted inbound), and reporting tied to pipeline and closed revenue.
• Content system leadership: Build an efficient content production workflow that reduces iteration cycles, while ensuring domain accuracy and customer resonance.
• Brand and website ownership: Lead website and brand refresh efforts, ensuring the story, visuals, and proof align with GSTS's dual-use credibility.
• Cross-functional alignment: Partner tightly with Sales, Customer Success, and Product/Technology to ensure marketing claims match reality, feedback loops are tight, and customer insights shape messaging and content priorities.
• Build the marketing operating system: Define marketing KPIs, reporting cadence, planning rhythm, and handoffs with Sales and RevOps.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
• 10+ years as a leader in B2B marketing, including experience in SaaS or enterprise software, ideally in complex, regulated, or technical domains.
• Relevant domain experience marketing to one or more relevant sectors: defence/security, maritime, supply chain/logistics, geospatial.
• Proven experience building a marketing engine in an early-stage B2B SaaS startup, including establishing the fundamentals (ICP, positioning, funnel, pipeline reporting, lead lifecycle, handoffs) and scaling output with a lean team.
• Comfortable working in a business with limited brand presence and building the marketing foundation required to scale revenue materially over the next 24-36 months.
• Strong product marketing capability: positioning, messaging, segmentation, persona development, competitive differentiation, and proof-point storytelling.
• Experience producing high-quality sales enablement assets and running a content program that supports long-cycle enterprise deals.
• Strong operational discipline with marketing metrics: Comfortable with funnel definitions, conversion rates, attribution basics, and pipeline reporting. Experience working closely with Salesforce/CRM and RevOps processes.
• Proven ability to work effectively with sales/technical SMEs to produce accurate content in domain-heavy environments.
• Excellent executive communication skills: can operate credibly with the CEO, COO, CSO, CPTO, and external stakeholders.
COMMENTS / SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Include compliance, security, or role-specific requirements.
Candidates must pass a criminal background check and provide two professional references.
All candidates must be eligible for Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) clearance.
WHAT WE OFFER
GSTS is focused on attracting unique, diverse perspectives that help drive the global maritime industry forward. Our compensation is comprised of the following:
• Competitive salary and PTO
• 100% employer-paid health and dental benefits for you and your family
• Annual HSA/FSA allotment
• Access to virtual mental and physical health professionals
• Annual professional development spend
• One-time tech allowance
WHY WORK WITH US?
• Remote-first culture: Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work. Though this role would ideally be based in Ottawa, the employee will have the freedom to work from home as required.
• Have a meaningful impact: Join a dynamic environment where your contributions directly influence our products and company growth.
• Collaborative team: Be part of a small, agile team that values positivity, creativity, and open communication.
• Continuous learning: We're committed to your professional growth, providing opportunities for skill development and staying current with industry trends.
• Exciting industry: Work on cutting-edge projects in a rapidly evolving field, applying your skills to solve real-world challenges.
• Work-life balance: We respect your time outside work and strive to maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal commitments.
Department Marketing Locations Ottawa Remote status Fully Remote
