The MOps Leap: Transitioning into Strategic Marketing Roles with Rick Collins

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On todays episode, we talk with Rick Collins, Vice President of Demand Generation at ConnectWise, to explore his unconventional yet inspiring journey from IT to marketing operations and ultimately into executive marketing leadership. Rick shares how he transitioned from managing systems to driving demand, the pivotal career moments that shaped his path, and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you're early in your marketing ops career or looking to break into leadership, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways on navigating transitions, building trust, and expanding your influence.

Tune in to hear:

• Rick’s unique career path from IT and QA into marketing operations and eventually to a VP role in demand generation.
• How to leverage technical and relational skills to create career mobility within marketing.
• The importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and challenging assumptions—internally and externally—for leadership growth.
• Insights into managing through organizational change, including private equity acquisitions and team restructuring.
• Tips on transitioning from managing ICs to managing other managers, including the importance of communication, presentation skills, and executive alignment.

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Chapters

1. The MOps Leap: Transitioning into Strategic Marketing Roles with Rick Collins (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Rick Collins' Career Journey (00:00:48)

3. Early IT Career and Technical Foundations (00:08:05)

4. Transitioning to Marketing Operations (00:17:32)

5. Building a Marketing Ops Team (00:24:24)

6. Stepping into Demand Generation Leadership (00:33:49)

7. Managing Across Different Leadership Levels (00:38:45)

8. Final Thoughts and Connecting with Rick (00:45:30)