Marketing Manager, Subscriber Growth

The San Francisco Standard is the Bay Area's fastest-growing source for news and information. Since launching in 2021, The Standard has become one of San Francisco's most influential news organizations, reaching more than a million readers each month. We're a subscription-driven business with an ambitious goal for subscriber growth by the end of 2026.

We're looking for a Marketing Manager to lead consumer marketing and subscription growth for The San Francisco Standard. This role sits at the heart of our subscriber funnel — from driving new readers to the site to converting them into paying members and keeping them engaged long term. The ideal candidate balances creative instincts with operational rigor and is energized by the challenge of growing a consumer subscription brand in a competitive media landscape. You will report to the Head of Growth and partner closely with editorial, product/engineering, and design/visual teams.

As a company that values diversity and inclusion, we encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

What you'll do

• Own growth marketing strategy and execution, aligning with editorial, product, and revenue teams to drive measurable growth in site traffic, free-to-paid conversion, and subscriber retention.
• Lead end-to-end campaign operations — from concept and copywriting through launch, reporting, and optimization — across email, social, paid, and owned channels.
• Help lead and manage projects against allocated marketing budget, optimizing spend to lower cost-per-acquisition and increase subscriber lifetime value.
• Drive subscriber lifecycle marketing, including onboarding, engagement, and win-back programs that reduce churn and deepen reader loyalty.
• Comanage marketing calendar and coordination across competing priorities — special coverage moments, promotional campaigns, product launches — to ensure a balanced, high-impact schedule.
• Develop and test acquisition campaigns that grow our audience through organic and paid channels, with a sharp eye on what converts readers into subscribers.
• Manage full campaign lifecycle and orchestration - from launch to reporting/analysis and distilling key insights for optimization and continuous improvement
• Establish and evolve processes, tools, and tactics for growth marketing, including thoughtful use of AI and automation alongside human-led creativity.

Who you are

• Experienced marketer with 2–4 years in growth, lifecycle, or consumer marketing — ideally in media, subscription, or DTC businesses.
• Proven track record of owning email, paid media, and CRM marketing, with hands-on experience building segmented campaigns and automated lifecycle flows.
• Data-driven decision-maker who knows how to read a funnel, identify drop-off, and run tests that actually move the needle.
• Strong writer and communicator — you can craft a compelling subject line and a clear performance report with equal ease.
• Creative problem-solver with a low ego and high ambition; comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-moving, resource-conscious environment.
• Genuinely excited about local journalism, San Francisco, and the mission of building a sustainable, reader-supported news organization.

Where you'll work

We are based in San Francisco and operate on a hybrid model. This role requires regular in-office presence in SF, with flexibility for remote work. Some travel locally for events may be required.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary range: $100K–$120K
• Stock options program for full-time employees
• 401k with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible paid time off and unlimited sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and training opportunities, including an employee Learning Fund