Jeff Spies Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Detroit, Michigan , Us

I led the successful migration of seventeen (17) brands to the Pelcro Subscription Management/Commerce/Identification/Authentication software platform and integrations with content and marketing platforms (Drupal, ARC, SailThru, Mather Economics). Oversaw all product efforts to improve the online commerce experience, enhance paywall targeting and effectiveness, and expand the monetization of Crain's data products. My duties included managing a team of product managers, aligning the strategic product roadmap, setting priorities, expectations and deadlines, conducting vendor evaluation and management, and effectively communicating with key stakeholders on the scope and status of these initiatives. Provided a big-picture perspective and ensured all initiatives were supporting the strategic Crain Communications objectives.Identified and procured the necessary technical and support resources, estimated project budgets, defined project and product scopes and schedules, and implemented a pragmatic and actionable product roadmap and associated project plans. My core responsibilities included project monitoring, management, and evaluation, with an eye towards continual process improvement. I monitored, tracked, and controlled outcomes, facilitated project team meetings along the way to ensure performance, progress, and addressed problems in real time as they arose.

London, Gb

As the Global Product Manager operating as the Head of Subscription Management Products, I shaped and delivered compelling product roadmap and go-to-market strategy to accelerate revenue growth and market expansion for eSuite HQ. Quickly emerged as an Enterprise SME for product/process improvements, subscription management best practices and Agile Scrum software development. Built trusted relationships with 20+ international clients; acted on their behalf to champion actionable and logical platform improvements designed to elevate the client-developer user experience. Defined, documented, and evangelized 3-year product roadmap, including a backlog with 9 months of actionable user stories and approved business cases for 3X revenue growth via platform extensions. Successfully transitioned software development team from Waterfall to Agile Scrum, increasing speed-to-market 50% and dramatically improving team member morale and engagement.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

As the Senior Product Manager operating as the Head of Subscription Sales and Operations, I increased YOY subscription revenue 21% and expanded paid subscriber base 25K, while simultaneously converting the circulation and operations infrastructure to new platforms. I grew revenue by expanding subscription product line (The Business Journal City Pass), launching new subscription models (Monthly with Auto Renew), and adding website personalization software to personalize recommended editorial content, personalize paywalls, and increase reader engagement (Cxense). Increased operational efficiency by replacing several homegrown and third-party platforms with MPP Global. Led six-month platform conversion efforts, resulting in a standardized customer view, streamlined online/offline commerce, and a 65% reduction in required FTE support. Revamped 20+ member circulation sales team. Replaced call center structures with performance-based controls and sales incentives. Successfully transitioned team to at-home selling model during Covid-19

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Successfully transitioned organization to a customer-centric marketing strategy in under 12 months. Oversaw the design, development, and implementation of the Marketo marketing automation platform, and integration with Salesforce CRM. Defined customer journeys for advertising, demand generation and consumer products by measuring and managing all aspects of the marketing automation engine, including database cleanliness, campaign effectiveness, funnel velocity, conversion rate optimization, pipeline contribution, and overall business performance. Generated over $6MM in new business (direct sales) from actionable MQLs, direct marketing and integrated sales support strategies leveraging Marketo. Leveraged automation to build and implement customer segmentation methodology, leading to increased marketing efficiency and 25% higher campaign engagement. Integrated Marketo marketing and editorial emails with bizjournals.com to establish the first enterprise preference center, ensuring full compliance with state and federal regulations.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Led successful change management transition of 20+ member software development team from Waterfall to Agile Scrum. Partnered with key stakeholders to define business goals, refine requirements. Led team of project managers and scrum masters that delivered solutions on time and within budget. Hired and led team of certified Scrum Masters to implement ceremonies and effectively manage sprint cycles. Oversaw implementation and adoption of JIRA and Confluence to track project progress with respect to time, budget and demonstrated results. Created and monitored a comprehensive program plan that defined the planned outcomes for each project, the resources required, and the work schedule across several lines of business. Monitored and managed complex system integration activities, negotiated deviations in release plans, and adjusted resources to achieve aggressive business goals. Became the expert corporate resource on project planning and agile methodologies.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Developed and executed marketing and sales strategies that grew audiences 10% annually for 40 weekly business news publications, dozens of daily email newsletters products and hundreds of signature networking and awards events. Built a team of marketing professionals who designed and implemented acquisition and cross-sell campaigns using direct mail, email (ExactTarget) and social media. Designed emails in HTML, write copy and set/enforce brand guidelines. Directed $27M paid circulation portfolio by controlling churn and growing sales from local and centralized sales teams. Promoted the use of on-demand direct mail offers, relevant telemarketing scripts and customized emails to lead pipeline. Converted call center from auto-dialer platform to Salesforce (SFDC) in less than 30 days. Identified sales process and tool improvement options, gain buy-in from executive team and build out enhanced process capabilities. Guided all financial and response analysis projects and oversee annual audience budgeting process.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Increased new subscription sales from targeted direct mail campaigns 25% in first 12 months. Directed all aspects of circulation growth and retention. Hired, trained and managed team of Data Analysts and a Production Manager. Generated 100K+ gross new subscriptions across all 40 brands; implemented new timing strategies, creative tests, list segmentations and expansions, and a regimented offer testing process. Saved $100K annually and increased efficiency via redesign of entire renewal and billing series. Drove additional efficiencies by transitioning to digital print-on-demand vendor platform. Architected and oversaw implementation of a comprehensive marketing database and real-time reporting dashboard platform. Wrote and edited SQL code; designed hundreds of reports and dashboards using Microsoft SRSS. One of 10 selected to participate in ACBJ’s Leadership Development Program (Publishers’ School).

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Led E2E (end-to-end) Demand Generation Process Improvement initiative that reduced marketing rework 50% and projected to save $4MM in the first two years. Drove SVA and revenue growth by improving Marketing Governance processes to achieve timelier program approval and accelerated business results. Developed and institutionalized processes that increased budget management efficiency, consistent spend forecasting, marketing program review and owner coaching, reduced risk via vendor reduction and optimization. On-boarded Interpublic Group (Bank of America’s creative agency); established processes, workflows, templates, and scorecards to ensure vendor accountability, limit rework and drive maximum vendor performance.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

As Chief of Staff for Consumer Real Estate (CRE) Marketing Executive, drove annual strategic marketing plan, managed and forecasted $100MM+ program and production budgets, and recruiting staff. Increased NPV of SVA $25M over prior year baseline; initiative earned Six Sigma Green Belt certification for Mortgage Relationship Prospect DMAIC and CRM pilot implementation. Measured and evaluated all CRE marketing projects and ensured they met financial targets.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Exceeded checking acquisition goals by 27% and savings growth goals by 29% via thought leadership and strategic direction for nationwide, integrated direct marketing strategy to high potential consumer segments. Led team of 11 direct marketing professionals that drove deposit product (checking, savings, CD) acquisition, balance building and retention. Developed and managed an integrated customer dialogue stream that balanced sales and service messages based on modeled and experiential trigger events. Conceptualized and launched BAC’s first franchise-wide customer referral program (~10% of new checking units).

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Led Workflow Automation and Campaign Management Tool RFP processes, including business requirements gathering, documentation, vendor selection and end-to-end project management. Developed process improvements that resulted in a 50% net decrease in campaign management cycle time.

Columbus, Ohio, Us

Seaham, County Durham, Gb