Director of Marketing & Brand Experience

The Shepherd Real Estate Team serves move-up buyers, first-time homeowners, and downsizing sellers across Mission Viejo, Irvine, Lake Forest, and South Orange County. We close 3–5 transactions a month, we run two growing masterminds — Chain Breakers and our AI Mastermind — and we have a clear vision: to be the most recognizable, most trusted, and most referred team in the markets we serve.

What we don't yet have is the person to build and own the brand that matches that vision. That's who we're hiring.

This is not a social media job. This is not a graphic design job. This is a brand leadership role for someone who understands that every touchpoint — from the moment a listing goes live to the moment a client closes — is an opportunity to create an experience that generates referrals, builds recognition, and grows Darren Shepherd's presence as a market leader.

You will report directly to Darren Shepherd. No layers. No committees. You'll have the autonomy to make decisions and the accountability that comes with it.

"Proximity is power. This person sits next to the vision and helps the world see it."

WHAT YOU'LL OWN — THE FIVE PILLARS

• LISTING & PROPERTY MARKETING: From signed agreement to closed transaction — you build the full marketing launch plan within 24–48 hours. Open house strategy, event design, postcard campaigns, lead capture, social retargeting, and remarketing sequences for every listing.
• DARREN SHEPHERD PERSONAL BRAND: Darren records. You publish, repurpose, and distribute. Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, and any platform you identify as valuable. Every platform optimized, consistent, and growing his name across every market he touches.
• TEAM BRAND IDENTITY: Audit our current brand. Deliver recommendations on naming, colors, messaging, and positioning. We want a luxury feel without the luxury price point — clean, modern, process-driven, and memorable. Then execute the vision.
• CLIENT EXPERIENCE COORDINATION: The "all good news" role. Buyers and sellers should feel held, informed, and celebrated from contract to close. You coordinate vendors, manage transitions, and ensure every client feels like they are our only client.
• MASTERMIND REFERRAL GROWTH: Manage and grow Chain Breakers and our AI Mastermind. Build the email and campaign infrastructure in Constant Contact. Develop referral partner relationships outside California through community building and content.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AT 90 DAYS

• Brand audit delivered with clear, actionable recommendations
• The content calendar is built, approved, and running without reminders
• Social media posting consistently — brand looks polished and cohesive across all platforms
• Paid ad campaigns are live and generating measurable leads
• Listing marketing is handled start to finish without Darren's involvement
• Follow Up Boss and Constant Contact nurture sequences are active for buyers, sellers, and past clients
• Chain Breakers and AI Mastermind communities have active content and email cadence

COMPENSATION DETAILS

• Base Salary: $65,000 – $72,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Flexible schedule
• Direct access to team leadership — no corporate bureaucracy

WHY THIS ROLE

• You build the brand from the ground up — creative freedom with real accountability
• Your work directly drives revenue — you'll see the line between your campaigns and closed deals
• Front-row seat to two growing masterminds — Chain Breakers and the AI Mastermind — as we expand nationally
• Real estate knowledge and industry immersion built in — you'll understand the business, not just market it
• A compensation structure that scales with you — the better the team performs, the more you earn
• A professional, focused team that communicates daily and moves fast

TO APPLY

Submit your resume and a link to your portfolio or work samples. Applications without a portfolio will not be reviewed.

We are not looking for the right answer. We are looking for how you think.

We are hiring immediately. Only candidates local to South Orange County or the Temecula/Murrieta area will be considered.

SCREENING QUESTIONS — Please address the following in a cover letter:

• Do you currently live in South Orange County or the Temecula/Murrieta area?
• Please share a link to your portfolio or examples of past marketing work.
• Describe a paid ad campaign you built from scratch. What was the goal, what did you test, and what were the results?
• What AI tools do you use regularly in your marketing workflow, and how?
• In 3–4 sentences: How would you approach building Darren Shepherd's personal brand in South Orange County in the first 90 days?

Salary : $65,000 - $72,000