Founding Marketer
Maesn📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Founding Marketer
🔹 Company: Maesn
🔹 Location: Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing, B2B SaaS
ASSUMPTION: Job type appears to be Full-time based on the role scope, benefits package (including 30 days vacation), and equity participation. The category is assumed to be Marketing with B2B SaaS focus based on the job description content.
📌 Essential Job Details
🚀 Job Overview
As the Founding Marketer at Maesn, you'll be responsible for building and implementing the entire marketing function from scratch (0→1) for an early-stage SaaS startup focused on Unified API technology. This pivotal role involves creating the brand identity, developing multi-channel acquisition strategies, and establishing a marketing foundation that will scale with the company. You'll work directly with the founding team to position Maesn's solution that helps SaaS companies streamline software integration.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define and execute the complete 0→1 marketing strategy across multiple channels
✅ Develop the brand narrative and messaging targeting technical decision-makers (CTOs, CPOs, Heads of Product)
✅ Drive user acquisition and activation through paid, organic, and partnership channels
✅ Build a community of advocates through content, thought leadership, and success stories
✅ Maximize the impact of product launches by creating effective marketing campaigns
✅ Implement data-driven experimentation and iteration of marketing initiatives
✅ Own and scale the entire marketing function from strategy through execution
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified
Experience: 2+ years in B2B SaaS marketing, preferably at an early-stage startup
Skills:
- T-shaped marketing expertise (deep in one area, broad knowledge across others)
- Technical marketing acumen, especially with APIs or developer products
- Creative ability to translate complex technical topics into compelling narratives
- Growth-oriented mindset with strong execution bias
- Fluency in both English and German (8/10+ level)
- Proven track record of successful marketing campaigns that drove growth
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Competitive base salary + performance incentives (exact figures not specified)
Benefits:
- Equity participation (VSOP - Virtual Stock Option Plan)
- €2,000 annual learning & development budget
- Choice of laptop and equipment
- 30 days paid vacation
- Hybrid work model (3 days in Düsseldorf office)
- Free parking
- Regular company retreats in premier locations
Industry Comparison: The compensation package appears competitive for the German tech market, with generous vacation time (above the standard 20-25 days), equity participation (uncommon in many German companies), and learning stipend.
ASSUMPTION: Based on the seniority level and the German market, a competitive base salary for this role likely falls in the €60,000-€90,000 range plus performance incentives, though this is an estimate based on regional market data for similar positions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry Position: Early-stage B2B SaaS startup focused on creating a Unified API solution that simplifies software integration for other SaaS companies
Company Size: Small, likely early-stage with a core founding team
Company Stage: Early-stage startup, likely pre-Series A
ASSUMPTION: The company appears to be in early stages based on the "Founding Marketer" title, references to "early-stage SaaS startup," and the need to build marketing functions "from scratch." The product seems to be operational but may still be gaining initial market traction.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid to Senior level given the autonomy and breadth of responsibilities
Reporting Structure: Likely reports directly to founder(s)/C-suite
Team Size/Composition: Likely to be the only marketing specialist initially, with potential to build a team
Growth Opportunities: Potential path to CMO/VP of Marketing as company grows; opportunity to build and lead a marketing department
ASSUMPTION: This appears to be a high-autonomy role that will work closely with leadership, given the "founding" title and the expectation to build marketing from the ground up. The role likely has significant growth potential as the company scales.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days per week in office, 2 days remote)
Geographic Context: Düsseldorf is a major business hub in Germany's most populous state, with a growing tech scene and high quality of life
Work Schedule: Likely standard German business hours with flexibility due to startup environment
Regional Considerations: Strong work-life balance culture in Germany reflected in the 30-day vacation benefit; German language skills required for this role unlike some international tech companies
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process: For B2B SaaS marketing roles, expect 3-4 interview stages including initial screening, marketing strategy discussion, case study/presentation, and final team culture fit
Key Assessment Areas: Strategic thinking, marketing execution ability, technical understanding, creativity, growth mindset, communication skills
Application Tips: Address the specific question about your boldest marketing campaign and results; highlight measurable outcomes from past initiatives; demonstrate understanding of technical products and API ecosystems
ATS Keywords: B2B SaaS marketing, performance marketing, growth marketing, API, technical marketing, user acquisition, content strategy, brand narrative, customer journey, data-driven, T-shaped marketer
ASSUMPTION: These insights are based on standard practices for similar roles in B2B SaaS companies rather than specific information provided in the listing.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
Expertise in the following types of tools would likely be valuable:
- Marketing automation platforms (HubSpot, Marketo)
- Analytics tools (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude)
- SEO platforms (Ahrefs, SEMrush)
- Content management systems
- Email marketing software
- Social media management tools
- CRM systems
- PPC advertising platforms
ASSUMPTION: These tools represent standard marketing stack components for B2B SaaS companies but were not explicitly mentioned in the listing.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values: Innovation, entrepreneurship, growth mindset, ownership, fast iteration
Work Style: Hands-on, self-directed, fast-paced, experimental, data-driven
Self-Assessment: Ask yourself:
- Do I thrive in ambiguous environments where I need to define my own path?
- Am I comfortable balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution?
- Can I effectively communicate complex technical concepts to different audiences?
- Do I enjoy building something from the ground up rather than optimizing existing systems?
ASSUMPTION: These cultural elements are inferred from phrases like "entrepreneurial environment," "fast-paced," "bias toward execution," and the overall description of an early-stage startup environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Building a marketing function with limited resources typical of early-stage startups
- Balancing multiple marketing disciplines simultaneously without specialized team members
- Marketing a technical product that requires deep understanding of APIs and integrations
- Frequent context switching between strategic planning and hands-on execution
- Need to show measurable results quickly in a competitive B2B SaaS landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in founding marketing roles at early-stage startups with technical products, based on the job description's emphasis on being a T-shaped marketer who can execute across multiple areas.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
This "Founding Marketer" role differs from standard marketing positions in several ways:
- vs. Marketing Manager: Broader responsibility and more strategic impact than typical manager roles
- vs. Growth Marketer: Includes brand building and strategic positioning, not just acquisition tactics
- vs. CMO: More hands-on execution required, though with similar strategic scope in a smaller organization
- vs. Product Marketer: Encompasses full marketing spectrum beyond just product positioning
ASSUMPTION: This comparison is based on standard industry role definitions and the comprehensive nature of the described position.
📝 Sample Projects
Based on the responsibilities outlined, projects might include:
- Developing complete brand guidelines and messaging framework for technical audiences
- Creating a content marketing strategy targeting developers and product leaders
- Building and executing a multi-channel acquisition campaign targeting SaaS companies
- Establishing performance marketing infrastructure and reporting dashboards
- Launching a developer community program to drive product adoption
- Designing and implementing product launch campaigns for new API features
ASSUMPTION: These projects are illustrative examples based directly on the responsibilities listed in the job description.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What does success look like for this role in the first 3, 6, and 12 months?
- How is the product currently positioned in the market, and what are the biggest challenges to adoption?
- How do you see the marketing function evolving as the company grows? Will there be opportunities to build a team?
- What marketing experiments have you tried so far, and what were the results?
- How does the marketing function collaborate with product and sales teams?
- What resources and budget will be available for marketing initiatives in the first year?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are tailored to the specific role and company stage described, but may need adaptation based on specific interview contexts.
📌 Disclaimer
⚠️ This enhanced job description was AI-generated based on the original job listing. Information has been organized and supplemented with industry-standard insights where details were not provided. All assumptions are explicitly labeled. Applicants should verify all details directly with the employer before making decisions based on this content.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
- Prepare your application: Submit your CV and a tailored cover letter to the email specified in the original listing.
- Answer the specific question: Be sure to include a detailed response about the boldest marketing campaign you've launched and its measurable results.
- Optimize your resume: Highlight B2B SaaS marketing experience, measurable achievements, experience with technical products, and any API or integration-related work.
- Research Maesn: Understand the Unified API space and competitive landscape to demonstrate industry knowledge.
- Prepare portfolio examples: Collect case studies of relevant marketing campaigns you've led, particularly those showing strategic thinking and measurable outcomes.
- Language verification: Ensure your application demonstrates your proficiency in both English and German as required.