Principal Marketing Operations Specialist

Principal Marketing Operations Specialist Job Purpose As a Principal Marketing Operations Specialist, you will lead the design, optimization, and execution of global marketing operations and programs for a healthcare and life sciences company, ensuring alignment between strategy, technology, and execution. This role combines strategic marketing leadership with deep operational ownership of the marketing tech stack, vendor ecosystem, and program delivery. You will drive efficiency, scalability, and data-driven decision-making across global marketing initiatives, while enabling high-performing campaigns, accurate budget tracking, and strong cross-functional collaboration. Key Responsibilities Marketing Strategy & Program Leadership Develop and execute integrated marketing programs aligned with corporate strategy and regional needs. Partner with Product, Commercial, and cross-functional teams to identify growth opportunities and improve market penetration. Represent marketing in cross-functional strategic initiatives and global programs. Drive innovation in demand generation, digital engagement, and marketing operations. Marketing Operations & Tech Stack Ownership Own and optimize the marketing technology ecosystem to drive efficiency, scalability, and performance. Lead governance, adoption, and continuous improvement of tools such as Asana, Allocadia, Salesforce, NetSuite, and CMS platforms . Design and implement workflows, automation rules, and standardized processes to streamline campaign execution and operations. Ensure alignment between tools, workflows, and operational processes across global teams. Monitor platform adoption and drive rollout strategies to maximize usage and impact. Program & Project Management Lead end-to-end execution of global marketing programs, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes. Manage project planning, tracking, and execution through tools like Asana. Establish standardized intake processes, QA frameworks, and delivery governance. Act as a central coordination point across stakeholders (Marketing, Sales, Finance, Operations). Ensure visibility into campaign performance, pipeline, and ROI through reporting dashboards. Vendor Management & Procurement Manage relationships with external vendors, agencies, and technology partners. Lead contract negotiation processes, including: Statement of Work (SOW) Legal validations and approvals Contract execution Oversee Purchase Order (PO) creation, approvals, and billing processes to ensure compliance and financial accuracy. Coordinate vendor onboarding and ensure successful rollout and adoption of new platforms. Budget Management & Financial Operations Manage and track marketing budgets using Allocadia, ensuring alignment with campaign execution. Support planning, forecasting, and financial tracking processes. Ensure accurate reporting of: Planned vs. forecasted spend Committed vs. actual costs Accruals and financial alignment with Finance Drive visibility and accountability in marketing spend and ROI measurement. SEO & Digital Performance Oversee SEO strategy in collaboration with external vendors. Monitor keyword performance, traffic, rankings, and conversions. Partner with web and content teams to optimize digital presence and organic visibility. Ensure alignment between SEO initiatives and broader campaign strategy. Data, Analytics & Performance Optimization Build and maintain dashboards (e.g., Salesforce) linking marketing spend to campaign performance and ROI. Analyze benchmarks and identify optimization opportunities across campaigns and platforms. Drive data-driven decision-making frameworks across marketing. Cross-functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management Lead global collaboration across teams in regions such as the US, Japan, and Europe. Influence without direct authority, managing multiple stakeholders and priorities. Mentor and coach mid-level marketing professionals. Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. Operational Excellence & Documentation Maintain documentation of marketing processes, workflows, and best practices (e.g., SharePoint). Ensure consistency, transparency, and accessibility of operational knowledge. Drive continuous improvement in processes and governance. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Marketing-driven revenue contribution and ROI Adoption and effectiveness of marketing technologies Campaign performance and engagement growth Operational efficiency and workflow optimization Budget accuracy and financial compliance Vendor performance and delivery effectiveness Stakeholder satisfaction and cross-functional alignment Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Marketing, Operations, or Strategic Communications Required Experience 7+ years of experience in marketing, with strong exposure to: Marketing operations / program management Marketing technology and automation Vendor and budget management Experience working in global environments and cross-functional teams Core Competencies / Skills Advanced marketing strategy and operational excellence Strong analytical and data-driven mindset Marketing technology expertise and systems thinking Project and program management (end-to-end ownership) Vendor negotiation and contract management Financial acumen (budgeting, forecasting, accruals) Strong communication and stakeholder management Ability to lead without direct authority High curiosity, adaptability, and problem-solving mindset Tools / Systems / Technologies Marketing automation and analytics platforms Asana (workflow design, automation, project tracking) Allocadia (budget planning and tracking) Salesforce (dashboards, ROI tracking) NetSuite (financial integration) CMS and SEO tools SharePoint (documentation and knowledge management) Role Characteristics Global scope with primary focus in the United States No direct reports; strong influence across stakeholders High ownership of strategic and operational initiatives Combination of strategy, execution, and technical marketing operations Why Join EX Squared? You’ll be part of a multicultural LATAM team working on impactful projects for global clients. At EX Squared, we foster collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation, empowering our teams to grow and deliver excellence. What We Offer Competitive compensation in USD Hybrid or Remote work model in Costa Rica Access to learning platforms and professional development Collaborative and inclusive work environment