Marketing Manager

About Us

Deccan AI is a model training and eval startup headquartered in the Bay Area. We are founded by IIT Bombay, IIM Ahmedabad and ex-Google alumni, and work with some of the top AI frontier labs in the world, e.g. Google Deepmind, Snowflake, and many more. We are backed by Prosus Ventures, and our India delivery office is in Hyderabad. Most of our roles are on-site i.e. Bay Area / Hyderabad.

What it is like to work @ Deccan

To be honest, our workplace is not for the faint-hearted. We work fast (many of our clients require same day turnarounds for their complex data needs). We like those who take ownership, roll up their sleeves and do . We like those who thrive in ambiguity and who can operate without titles / hierarchies. But what you will find: tremendous learning, tremendous growth, and a very motivated set of colleagues who are also fun to be around.

The Marketing Manager is a strategic role focused on driving the expansion and scalability of Deccan AI’s freelancer and contractor network. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, thriving in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for leading and executing channel marketing, growth marketing initiatives, and campus partnerships to attract top-tier freelance talent, contractors, and vendors. Additionally, you will experiment with innovative approaches to recruitment and retention, leveraging data-driven strategies to drive business growth and achieve ambitious scaling objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Channel Marketing & Growth Strategies:

• Design and implement marketing campaigns targeting freelancers and contractors through multiple channels, including digital platforms, social media, and campus outreach.

Talent Acquisition & Campus Partnerships:

• Build and nurture strategic campus partnerships to develop a pipeline of emerging talent while cultivating relationships with universities and educational institutions.

Organic Growth Channels (OGC):

• Develop and manage community-driven growth initiatives on platforms like Reddit and Discord .
• Engage in relevant Reddit communities to drive awareness and attract quality freelance talent.
• Build and manage an active Discord community to foster engagement, learning, and retention among freelancers and contributors.
• Experiment with organic strategies to strengthen Soul AI’s presence in relevant ecosystems.

Online Reputation Management (ORM):

• Own and manage Soul AI’s online reputation across Google , Reddit , Glassdoor , and AmbitionBox .
• Monitor and respond to reviews and discussions proactively.
• Implement reputation-building initiatives and narrative management strategies to position Soul AI as a top choice for freelancers and professionals.
• Track sentiment, report trends, and collaborate with internal teams to address recurring themes.

Experimentation & Optimization:

• Develop and test hypotheses for attracting high-quality leads using innovative growth marketing tactics. Continuously iterate and optimize strategies for better results.

Scalability & Execution:

• Scale successful campaigns and partnerships into larger initiatives, driving substantial growth across freelance categories.

Data-Driven Insights:

• Track and analyze the performance of growth initiatives, providing insights and recommendations for improvement based on performance data and market trends.

Collaboration & Coordination:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, recruitment, and product to ensure cohesive messaging and aligned execution toward company growth goals.

Requirements

• Proven experience in growth, marketing, channel marketing, and ORM , ideally within a fast-paced startup or scale-up environment.
• Familiarity with freelancer networks , contractor ecosystems , and talent acquisition strategies .
• Experience managing Reddit, Discord, and ORM channels is a strong plus.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-changing environment.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in interpreting data and applying insights to drive measurable outcomes.
• High agency, proactive problem-solving, and a strong bias for execution.