Candidates in the Crowd: Steve Sanders

Today's Candidate in the Crowd is Steve Sanders

As The #ShuftanJobReport roars with nearly 7,800 subscribers!, I am rolling out my second phase to help people. I post the report on M/W/F and want to use T/Th to feature excellent candidates. I built this community as a way of bringing together job searchers and those who are hiring. As an homage to Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd," I titled "Candidates in the Crowd." This is a white space for candidates to discuss their previous work, hopes, and dreams and show off anything to the network. The Candidate will capture a hiring manager's attention, and good things will happen.

Make sure you are following The Shuftan Job Report for all prior Candidates in the Crowd posts and job postings.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/newsletters/7151260137343586307/

I'm starting with some personal words for Steve. You, sir, are a master of what you do. In the last 90 days, I have taken on a new role and have been working on my messaging. Steve and I chatted, and he created two hilarious and well-conceptualized examples that marketers have very well received.

So, who is this Steve Sanders guy I am ranting about so much?

Steve is a full-stack, team-oriented marketing executive with a unique blend of in-house, strategic, and agency experience. From experience, Steve derives inspiration from all facets of his career. He has worked on the dark side and with the Jedi and has inspiration and ideas from all his experiences.

Steve is a driving force in business:

Steve believes execution attracts interest, provokes an emotional response, reinforces the brand, and drives action. Can you tell he is also a professor?

Here is a tease of Steve's specifics:

Steve tries to bring a unique perspective and best-in-class solution to any category or product, but he has a severe passion for companies making a difference in people's lives. He is a true humanitarian!

Steve's commitment to mentorship and lifelong learning.

Finally, you know I am a sucker for people who believe in leadership. Steve believes in transparency, inclusion, and continuous learning. Steve works to provide an environment that fosters genuine and honest communication.

As mentioned above, Steve is also a professor who believes teaching the next generation is equally important. He is very proud of his current teaching at CU-Boulder.

Steve is an all-around champion of everything marketing. A champion to people and a thought leader to clients. What a combo and a catch for a company.

Here is his entry:

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to work closely with Steve on several significant product launches….” - Product Manager

“Steve is the solutions-oriented, strategic partner you want (and need)... He is hyper-focused on the core problem…, skillfully able to cut through the clutter to deliver solutions that are inventive, memorable and impactful to the bottom line of your business.” - CMO

“Steve is a manager who inspires, leads everyone with the utmost confidence and capability, and is someone you hope to sit next to on a cross-country flight. A triple-threat I would work with any day.”? - Team member

Nice to meet you

Hi! I'm Steve Sanders, a full-stack and team-oriented marketing exec seeking a CMO / (S)VP, Marketing role in a mission-driven company. With a unique blend of in-house, strategic consulting and agency experience, my thoughtful marketing path has been dedicated to delivering rapid value creation and profitable growth in both entrepreneurial and enterprise environments. From the latest MarTech to consumer insights and brand building, my broad expertise has made me a sought-after advisor for early-stage and rapid-growth companies. My commitment to personal development and inclusion has enabled me to mentor coworkers and college students.

A driving force in business?

It’s all about execution that attracts interest, provokes an emotional response, reinforces the brand and ultimately, drives action. At Pathway Homes, a real estate start-up, I updated the company’s demand engine with the latest digital and AI marketing tools and processes dramatically increasing MQL’s. While consulting with established companies like Rosetta Stone and Offerpad, I evolved each company’s equity into new, more focused corporate directions. And, at world-class agencies like Deutsch LA, CPB and Martin, I led the development and execution of fully-integrated campaigns for major clients like Zillow, Kraft Heinz and UPS based on a deep understanding of the company, its products and the customer’s needs.?

Some specifics

I always try to bring a unique perspective and best-in-clas solutions to any category and product, including start-ups and established companies in Tech, Real Estate, BtoB, Education, CPG, Beverages and more.? However, I have a particular passion for companies that are genuinely trying to make a difference in people’s lives:

Here are a few more examples:

• Led the development of the "Own It" global campaign at Pacaso, a start-up focused on democratizing second home ownership, exceeding all national awareness, traffic and MQL’s with a regional-only plan and directly contributing to the company's achievement as the fastest U.S. startup to reach unicorn status.
• Led strategic and creative development of the “Out with the Old” campaign for Aspen Dental, the 2nd largest national DSO, resulting in a double-digit increase in patients per day.
• Led the development and execution of UPS’ “Synchronized Commerce” brand strategy and “What Can Brown Do for You” campaign at Martin, resulting in 98% awareness of UPS’ supply chain capabilities amongst “C-Level” decision-makers.

Whether spearheading SEO and SEM, CLM, CRM (oh, the acronyms!), product marketing, uncovering consumer insights, developing brand positioning, or planning and executing G-T-M approaches, I've consistently turned visionary ideas into tangible results.?

Commitment to mentorship and lifelong learning

My leadership style is focused on transparency, inclusion and continuous learning. I work hard to provide an environment that fosters real and honest communication for all team members which is why people often talk of “Steve-isms,” like. “If you feel it, it’s true.” and “Good news fast. Bad news faster.” I strongly believe that an honest, positive and inclusive culture in which people genuinely hear and support one another is critical for all individuals as well as the company to succeed.

My passion for inclusion and continuous learning further includes the creation of formal, in-house training programs at numerous companies, on-going industry and academic speaking engagements and my own professional development, including the completion of an MIT Sloan School of Management Digital Analytics Certification while in the hospital!?

Finally, I extend this philosophy and effort to the next generation. I’ve taught undergraduate classes at USC Annenberg School of Communications, VCU, and currently, as an Adjunct Professor at CU-Boulder. I’ve also taught graduate courses at UVA Darden School of Business, W&M Mason School of Business and VCU Brandcenter. As much as I enjoy teaching and sharing knowledge, I find that I am continually inspired by today's students. The future is bright!

Let’s connect

Thanks for making it this far and reading about me. I look forward to connecting with you. I’m available on LinkedIn:https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/steve-sanders1/ or via email at [email protected]. Thanks!