We’re seeking to an energetic, creative, driven, business leader to help us reinvent our graduation experience through great strategy, strong planning and solid execution. We want a business leader who can understand and anticipate the needs of our market and develop experiences/solutions for those needs, before the market can even dream it.

We’re seeking a challenge-seeker, game-changer, impact-maker, focused on market and customer experience. We’re looking for a change-agent, with a knack for simple elegance, who values diversity and is passionate about helping students celebrate some of the greatest moments and memories in their high school experience, and helping them preserve and share their story well into the future. A leader with demonstrated experience and skills in business growth, team leadership and motivation, and new product/business development, as well as a collaborative approach that includes leadership by example, strong values, and integrity. And a marketer who enjoys operating at both the “strategic vision” and “tactical implementation” levels, and everywhere in between.

Jostens strives to be a market-driven company comprised of a dynamic team of people, serving a broad market spectrum from pre-schoolers to parents. With a foundation in storytelling, achievement, and memory celebration, we offer a broad range of experiences from yearbooks, to memory books, to class jewelry, to graduation and affiliation products, to products for athletic champions and their fans. We value our markets and customers, innovation, integrity, performance, diversity, and recognition. We are all about helping people dream, believe, achieve, and remember, and we want to make that apparent in every experience we deliver.

This position reports into the Vice President of Marketing and Emerging Markets and is seen as an integral part of Jostens’ growth as a leader of Jostens graduation segment within the Scholastic business, a multi-million dollar category. The primary responsibility of the Category Director, Graduation is to manage the overall strategic alignment and integrated implementation of the Scholastic Graduation Products category business vision and tactical execution for all products and all identified channels, through their own efforts and by directing the efforts of others. The Graduation category includes regalia, diploma, announcements, accessories, and apparel. This role works with the team to develop, plan and execute the short-term and long-term Scholastic Graduation Products business plans to support the overall strategic direction for the business, driving to results that support the corporate financial plan. This position is accountable for creating and managing alignment of all functions and resources within and supporting the Scholastic Graduation Products team, including Market Technology, Product, Brand, Pricing, Channel, Promotion, Research, Design, Operations, Finance, Systems, and others; and ensures the various product managers within the team are integrated in their go-to-market strategies and tactics. This role is also responsible for driving growth through new product line extensions and the evolution of Scholastic Graduation Products as a superior consumer experience, based on market insights.

The Category Director, Graduation actively leads the Scholastic Graduation Products staff consisting of 3 direct reports – Sr. Product Manager, Regalia/Diploma/Apparel; Product Manager, Announcements; Marketing Specialist, Graduation.

Finally, a key role for this position is to be the spokesperson across the organization for the current state and future vision of the Scholastic Graduation Products experience, ensuring it is understood within the business and across functions and that activities are prioritized to make the vision a reality.

- BA/BS in Business/Marketing/Product Development or related field required, - MBA preferred, - 10+ years business experience required; preferably managing category, products, projects, and processes, - Experience in new product, category, or business development from creation to product launch desired, - Understanding and experience in managing products, product life cycles and the marketing mix (4P’s), - Understanding of integrated on/offline marketing strategies, including catalog, online, and retail channel approaches, - Experience in a catalog based business a plus, - Computer proficiency; MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and MS Project required; desktop publishing experience preferred, - Analytical and project management skills a must, - Up to 25% travel in this position is required, - Self starter with strong leadership skills, - Strategic thinker, ability to see things not readily apparent to others - Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work across multiple levels of the organization.

Jostens is committed to attracting and retaining the brightest and most talented individuals to our company by offering competitive compensation, a progressive and nurturing culture and growth potential. In addition to our traditional benefit offerings, Jostens offers charitable gift matching programs for employees, scholarships and In Kind charitable contributions to deserving recipients. Employees also enjoy tuition reimbursement benefits, progressive career planning as well as comprehensive medical benefits and a generous 401K matching program. Jostens supports and promotes healthy living through education and incentive programs.

Jostens supports and embraces a diverse workforce as an EEO/AA employer. Jostens participates in the E-Verify program.

Go to www.jostens.com, click on employment to apply.