Data-driven marketing and operations leader with 16+ years building high-performing teams, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and scaling business operations across finance, credit cards, travel, and healthcare.
I'm Jim Sanders — a data-driven digital marketing and operations leader based in Chicago with 16+ years of experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets across fast-growing, highly regulated verticals including finance, credit cards, lead generation, travel, and healthcare.
I specialize in architecting full-funnel paid media strategies — from Google and Microsoft Ads to Meta, LinkedIn, programmatic, CRM, and sports marketing partnerships — while also leading the operational systems, team structures, and cross-functional processes that make high-performing organizations run.
As a founder and co-founder of multiple businesses, I've built companies from the ground up — hiring teams, managing P&Ls, developing processes, and scaling operations across diverse industries. That entrepreneurial DNA makes me equally comfortable in the boardroom, in the weeds, or anywhere in between.
I've directly managed partnerships with the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, CF Montréal, Chicago Bears, and Charlotte Hornets.
The same drive that builds high-performing marketing teams and scales multi-million dollar budgets carries over into everything I do — including learning to fly.
Jim is a marketing mastercraftsman with a laser focus on technique and a keen intuition around what resonates with customers. He thinks holistically about how marketing strategy aligns with the larger business. And he is a phenomenal leader with a knack for mentoring junior and mid-level marketers. Working with Jim made me trust my instincts, question my own assumptions, make bold bets, and optimize every cent of ad spend. Everyone should be so lucky.
I've worked for/with Jim for many years and it was great! He's an incredibly talented and forward thinking marketer and a leader who will go to bat for you and have your back. Anyone who locks him down will be incredibly lucky to have him!
Jim is the performance marketer you want on your team! He leads with a clear and thoughtful vision, but isn't afraid to get hands-on-keyboard when it matters. He's the guy you want if you're looking for impact from day one!
Also giving props to Jim! He's an amazing leader, has great insight and will roll up his sleeves with the rest of us! An asset to any team!!
Beyond the boardroom and the campaign dashboards, I live life at full throttle. Whether I'm out on the water, teeing off, or jumping out of a plane — the same drive that fuels my career carries into everything I do.
