EMILY SLATES
La Palma,CA
Summary
Dynamic executive leader with a proven record driving organizational growth through cross-functional brand, digital and product initiatives. Expert in partnerships, technology implementation and strategic planning. Known for uniting global teams to solve complex problems with clarity and impact.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Director, Project Management & Operations Product Development
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Carson, CA
08.2022 - Current
- Spearheaded a Research, Design & Development Operations organization accountable to delivering scalable solutions across technology, process optimization and strategic planning.
- Led an enterprise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) implementation, end-to-end quality modernization initiative and long and short-term strategic planning, insights ecosystem and performance measurement reporting.
- Managed product development Project Management team overseeing delivery of a high-volume, multi-category portfolio (furniture, toys, print and soft goods). Drove innovation and cross-functional execution across global Quality, Creative, Engineering and Sourcing teams to deliver on-time new product and enhancement programs.
- Established accountability, execution rigor and reporting and analytics for portfolio delivery to market. Reported program status, risks and performance to executive leadership, supporting on-time delivery and revenue growth across a $1B product portfolio.
- Orchestrated Operations Logistics for all Research, Design & Development physical workspaces including testing labs, engineering workshops, warehouses and collaboration spaces. Accountable for sample procurement, inbound & outbound logistics, storage and workplace safety.
- Managed digital product data and compliance documentation across product development lifecycle. Ensured data integrity and regulatory readiness through SAP ERP and related enterprise systems.
Director, Marketing & Digital Operations (Chief of Staff)
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
04.2020 - 08.2022
- Chief of Staff for matrixed Marketing & Digital organization leading the holistic development of strategic planning, inclusive of annual and quarterly planning across digital and brand marketing. Accountable to the prioritization across brand partnerships and product initiatives, performance monitoring and investments.
- Senior level Program Manager leading partnership activation and relationship management across top national partnerships such as Ulta Beauty, Starbucks and Google.
- Strategic Lead for Marketing & Digital Learning Culture initiatives at Target including partnership activation, events and learning and development priorities.
- Critical thought-partner in the development and communication of content for executive leaders supporting their operating cadence and growth initiatives. Accountable for cross-functional Marketing & Digital priority progression, performance marketing and optimized Q4 routines and activations to deliver multi-million-dollar ROI.
- Cross-functional partner responsible for building customer experience and performance marketing strategies to deliver growth during key quarterly seasonal moments such as Back to School, Holiday programs, and exclusive partnership launches.
- Marketing & Digital pyramid DEI committee leader for the Racial Equity, Action & Change Committee.
Director, Global Growth Strategy Marketing & Digital
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
11.2018 - 04.2020
- Global strategic lead in delivering roadmap planning for capability development and investments in Target’s Global Capability Center (GCC) in India for Marketing & Digital pyramid.
- Partnered with senior leaderships to develop long-range organizational design crossing teams globally. Worked cross-functionally to balance competing strategies, assess trade-offs, evaluate resource decisions and execute transitions plans to ensure adoption and sustained success.
- Key Global resource planning partner and change agent collaborating with Human Resources, Strategic Workforce Planning and finance to deliver enterprise gross savings, footprint from 19% to 25% of total organization in less than two years and providing millions in payroll savings.
- Instrumental thought-leader in cultivating team members' global mindset for ways of working and building best practices for routines and communication.
- Developed sustainable global working models with clearly defined expectations and roles & responsibilities for teams to utilize.
Senior Manager, Digital Merchandising – Home Category Innovation
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
12.2017 - 11.2018
- Delivered actionable insights on customer behavior, competitive landscape and regional performance to inform digital platform strategy, digital product investments and ongoing digital platform experience optimization.
- Identified new business opportunities and strategic partnerships, such as Marxent and Google, to accelerate growth in sustainable augmented reality experiences. Provided strategic oversight and managed the execution between internal and external cross-functional partners to deliver product development at scale and enhance adoption for end-to-end workflows of emerging technologies.
- Key thought partner in developing and executing use of computer-generated imagery (CGI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) tactics across key go-to-market business channels including Target.com, Target App, marketing campaigns, social and in-store experiences.
- Managed emerging technology budget planning and prioritization efforts for digital merchandising resulting in the ability to scale 3D assets and foster cross-channel asset reuse, delivering multi-million dollars in cost savings to the organization.
Senior Digital Site Merchandiser
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
07.2016 - 12.2017
- Owned and evolved digital merchandising strategies to drive global growth, localized conversion, and culturally relevant customer experiences across Target.com and Target App experience for Apparel, Accessories and Home growth categories.
- Key cross-functional partner in developing and driving guest-led product performance across assortments, colors, best sellers and seasonality using data-driven insights to influence buying and planning decisions.
- Improved product discoverability and on-site conversion by tailoring navigation, categorization, sorting logic and homepage storytelling supporting local demand trends and cultural calendars across brand and social partnerships, search engine optimization (SEO) & Email marketing campaigns.
- Strategically led creative briefing and product roadmaps aligned with enhancing user experience and user interface (UX/UI) across Target digital and go-to-market marketing channels delivering innovation and category growth.
National Accounts, Marketing Manager - Best Buy & Pacific Sales (B2B)
LG Electronics
Minneapolis, MN
10.2014 - 07.2016
- Responsible for the flawless execution of LG brand message at Best Buy and Pacific Sales across all key marketing platforms such as digital, TV, Radio, events and in-store experiences.
- Full ownership of integrated and paid media partnership activation and marketing strategies for key B2C sales tactics at Best Buy inclusive of top tier national partnerships such as The Rachel Ray Show and NCAA Collegiate Sports delivering millions of dollars in annual growth.
Digital Content Strategist
Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
02.2013 - 10.2014
- Developed and governed product level data quality strategies for all digital channels at Target.
- Researched, scoped and implemented Product Information Management software (PIM) to support product data source of truth and change management workflow.
- Partnered cross-functionally to deliver product content, product level data and guest purchase path initiatives across digital platforms.
- Executed strategic business plans aligned to key priorities for the apparel & accessories business across Target digital channels.
- Developed an Omni-channel Marketing asset reuse program, attributing to enterprise-wide savings of $15 million by reducing variable expenses.
Digital Content Strategist
MARCOMM Agency | Target Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
03.2012 - 02.2013
- Led business strategies and executed key priorities aligned to brand category marketing and digital merchandising business goals for the electronics and entertainment category across Target digital channels inclusive of driving growth in Target’s exclusive artists program.
- Managed exclusive cell phone provider partner relationship to support Hardlines category growth.
- Streamlined timeline and processes for implementing placements across Target digital channels and aligning with larger integrated brand marketing plans.
Manager, Business Development (B2B)
Sportsdigita
Minneapolis, MN
09.2011 - 03.2012
- Managed all B2B business development initiatives for start-up organization in sports industry, delivering multi-million ROI to help company grow into profitable business model.
- Created and implemented sales goals and strategies to gain market share and voice in across omni-channel marketing campaigns and media outlets.
- Developed innovative emerging technology to support marketing strategies and brand initiatives for digital sponsorships, fan engagement and other client-specific needs while performing comprehensive project management.
Advertising Account Executive (B2B)
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Minneapolis, MN
04.2011 - 09.2011
- Managed B2B advertising accounts to deliver impactful campaigns for local and regional businesses by prospecting, pitching and closing integrated media solutions.
- Built and maintained long-term client relationships and developed customized marketing strategies across digital, print and event platforms that met revenue targets.
Senior National Account Manager (B2B)
Wasserman (Bluemedia)
Tempe, AZ
08.2008 - 04.2011
- Managed national sports and experiential marketing accounts, driving revenue through sponsorship, media and venue-based advertising programs.
- Led Project Management and flawless execution of partnership activation for key accounts.
- Established and scaled a Midwest office to expand regional market presence and accelerate revenue growth. Led national installation partnerships, coordinating execution across venues to ensure brand consistency, on-time delivery and high-impact fan experiences.
Education
Executive Education Mini Masters - Marketing
University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business
01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Marketing, Magna Cum Laude
Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business
01.2007
Skills
- Global B2B and B2C program leadership across retail strategy, operations and innovation
- Proven leader in technology implementation and translating roadmaps into scalable execution
- People-first, collaborative builder with a track record of developing high-performing teams
- Expert in solving complex, cross-functional challenges within highly matrixed organizations
Affiliations
Women in Retail Leadership Circle
Certification
- Applied Agentic AI for Organizational Transformation Currently Enrolled Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Certified Strategist Strategic Management 07/2020 Section4: Professor Scott Galloway
- The Science of Well-Being 12/2020 Yale University
Timeline
Senior Director, Project Management & Operations Product Development
Lakeshore Learning Materials
08.2022 - Current
Director, Marketing & Digital Operations (Chief of Staff)
Target Corporation
04.2020 - 08.2022
Director, Global Growth Strategy Marketing & Digital
Target Corporation
11.2018 - 04.2020
Senior Manager, Digital Merchandising – Home Category Innovation
Target Corporation
12.2017 - 11.2018
Senior Digital Site Merchandiser
Target Corporation
07.2016 - 12.2017
National Accounts, Marketing Manager - Best Buy & Pacific Sales (B2B)
LG Electronics
10.2014 - 07.2016
Digital Content Strategist
Target Corporation
02.2013 - 10.2014
Digital Content Strategist
MARCOMM Agency | Target Corporation
03.2012 - 02.2013
Manager, Business Development (B2B)
Sportsdigita
09.2011 - 03.2012
Advertising Account Executive (B2B)
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
04.2011 - 09.2011
Senior National Account Manager (B2B)
Wasserman (Bluemedia)
08.2008 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Science - Marketing, Magna Cum Laude
Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business
Executive Education Mini Masters - Marketing
University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business