Marketing Strategy & Activation Manager - Des Moines, IA (Des Moines)
About Bud & Mary’s Bud & Mary’s is a fully vertically integrated, leading cannabis company operating across multiple states, dedicated to both lifestyle and medical cannabis. We prioritize innovation and quality across cultivation, formulation, manufacturing, and product development, taking a science-focused approach to advancing the cannabis industry through research and technology. Our portfolio features a family of trusted brands designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s cannabis consumers. Marketing Strategy & Activation Manager Des Moines, IA (Hybrid) | 20–30% Travel Bring Our Brands to Life Bud & Mary’s is looking for a marketing strategy & activation manager to lead integrated marketing programs, events, product launches, and customer-facing initiatives across our growing cannabis portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of brand, sales, retail, events, and execution. We’re looking for someone who can take a big idea and make it happen -from launching a new product or flavor to building a retail activation, managing an industry event, developing sales materials, or coordinating a multi-state campaign. The right person is highly organized, creative, commercially minded, and comfortable balancing strategy with hands-on execution in a fast-moving industry. What You’ll Do Lead Marketing & Brand Execution Develop and execute integrated marketing plans supporting product launches, brand growth, retail partnerships, and commercial priorities. Manage campaigns across digital, email, social, retail, print, field marketing, and other customer-facing channels. Develop sales tools, presentations, promotional materials, and brand collateral that support our commercial teams. Own content planning and development across Bud & Mary’s brands and marketing channels. Write and edit compelling brand copy, website content, email campaigns, social content, product messaging, sales materials, presentations, advertising, and other marketing communications. Partner with creative agencies and internal teams to bring new products, flavors, formats, and limited-time offerings to market. Lead digital marketing initiatives across Bud & Mary’s brands, including social media campaigns, SEO strategy, keyword and content optimization, and performance tracking, with a focus on increasing engagement, organic visibility, website traffic, and measurable ROI. Use campaign performance and market insights to continually improve programs and marketing investments. Own Events & Retail Experiences Lead industry events, trade shows, customer programs, retail activations, sponsorships, and sales meetings from strategy through onsite execution. Create experiences that strengthen relationships with dispensary partners, buyers, budtenders, and consumers. Manage vendors, logistics, budgets, promotional materials, staffing, and timelines. Partner with Sales and Field Marketing on vendor days, budtender education, key account programs, product launches, and other retail initiatives. Evaluate engagement, sales impact, and ROI to improve future programs. Collaborate & Lead Work closely with Sales, Operations, Production, Compliance, Creative, Finance, and leadership to execute company initiatives. Coordinate cross-functional product launches and ensure teams have the tools and materials needed for successful execution. Ensure marketing programs meet applicable state-specific cannabis regulations and brand standards. Manage and mentor marketing team members while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and execution-focused culture. Bring insights from our sales teams, retail partners, and consumers back into broader marketing strategy. What You’ll Bring Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field preferred. 5 years of experience in marketing, brand, events, field marketing, retail marketing, or a related role. Experience in cannabis, CPG, beverage, alcohol, lifestyle brands, or another regulated consumer industry preferred. Proven experience executing integrated campaigns, product launches, events, retail activations, and customer programs. Strong understanding of how marketing supports sales, retail engagement, and commercial growth. Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities, markets, vendors, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable being both strategic and hands-on—we’re looking for someone who can build the plan and help bring it to life. Ability to travel approximately 20–30%, including occasional evenings and weekends for events. What Success Looks Like Success means Bud & Mary’s brands show up consistently, intentionally, and effectively in the market. Our sales teams have the tools they need, our retail partners see us as a valuable partner, product launches are impactful, events have purpose, and our marketing investments contribute directly to brand and business growth.
