Alin Vlad

Ecommerce Director | AltMBA Alumnus

LinkedIn

Rasadnitei 6, district 6, Bucharest, Romania

About

Accomplished Ecommerce Director and growth strategist with over a decade of experience driving profitability and digital transformation for leading technology and retail brands. Expert in leveraging customer-first marketing, data-driven strategies, and advanced automation to achieve significant business growth, including a 359% net margin increase and consistent double-digit season-over-season profitability.

Work Experience

Director of Ecommerce

OTTER DISTRIBUTION

Aug 2023 - Present

Led ecommerce strategy and operations, driving significant growth, digital transformation, and profitability while optimizing operational efficiency for a leading retail distributor.

  • Drove substantial financial growth, doubling revenue since FW20, increasing Net Margin by 359%, and improving Contribution Margin by 30%, alongside achieving consistent double-digit season-over-season profitability increases (e.g., FW Growth +23%, SS Growth +29%).
  • Orchestrated significant digital transformation, including the migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2 for enhanced scalability and security, and implementing AI-driven tools like Nosto, Algolia, Klaviyo, and Funnel.io to optimize performance marketing (POAS) and customer retention.
  • Rebuilt and optimized a lean, high-performing team without increasing headcount, surging departmental performance by aligning clear individual KPIs with strategic department goals.
  • Directed comprehensive commercial strategies, involving direct assortment planning, pricing, and the launch of exclusive online products, leveraging data-driven decision-making to optimize inventory and promotional activities.

Chief Marketing Officer

OTTER DISTRIBUTION

Nov 2019 - Aug 2023

As Chief Marketing Officer, built and scaled the e-commerce department from scratch, establishing foundational strategies for user acquisition, retention, and monetization.

  • Built and scaled the e-commerce department from scratch, establishing foundational strategies for user acquisition, retention, and monetization.
  • Navigated the full e-commerce funnel, maximizing operational efficiency and driving sustainable growth across all digital marketing channels.

Chief Marketing Officer

CyberGhost VPN

Aug 2017 - Oct 2019

Led a 16+ member marketing team, overseeing web design, growth marketing, and social media, resulting in a 300% increase in online revenue.

  • Spearheaded marketing operations for CyberGhost VPN, leading a 16+ member team across Web Design, Growth Marketing, and Social Media Marketing.
  • Drove a 300% increase in online revenue, significantly expanding market share and achieving aggressive growth targets.
  • Boosted Average Order Value (AOV) by 75% and doubled the number of units sold per month through targeted marketing and sales initiatives.

Chief Marketing Officer

cognitiveSEO

May 2017 - Aug 2017

Directed marketing initiatives, enhancing search visibility and product development for cognitiveSEO through strategic content and feature launches.

  • Implemented a comprehensive Content Audit Strategy, resulting in a 20% increase in search visibility and enhanced organic reach.
  • Led the successful launch of the Keyword Tool & Content Assistant, securing a #3 ranking on Product Hunt with over 700 upvotes.
  • Developed the BrandMentions Launch Roadmap and managed a 5-member team, ensuring effective product introduction and market penetration.

Director of Online Sales & Marketing

Heimdal Security

Apr 2014 - Apr 2017

Built and led a 10-member Online & Support department, driving significant growth in website traffic and user base for Heimdal Security.

  • Built and directed a 10-member Online & Support department, overseeing diverse teams including marketers, copywriters, web designers, developers, and support technicians.
  • Grew website traffic from 5,000 to 130,000 visitors/month in under 2 years, with 90% attributed to organic growth, significantly expanding digital footprint.
  • Achieved a 500% boost in paying user base and increased renewal rates from 24% to 70% through strategic customer acquisition and retention strategies.

Owner

All Inbound

Feb 2012 - Dec 2014

Founded and operated All Inbound, a platform for sharing insights and strategies in Inbound Marketing, establishing thought leadership in the field.

  • Established and managed a specialized online platform, creating and curating content focused on Inbound Marketing strategies and best practices.
  • Positioned the platform as a valuable resource for professionals seeking insights into inbound methodologies, fostering thought leadership in the domain.

B2B Inbound Marketing Manager

Bitdefender

Jan 2014 - Mar 2014

Developed and executed the B2B Inbound Marketing strategy for Bitdefender, enhancing lead generation and conversion.

  • Developed and executed a comprehensive B2B Inbound Marketing strategy for Bitdefender, aligning with overall business objectives.
  • Managed and optimized marketing automation flows, landing pages, and email campaigns within Hubspot to drive lead generation.
  • Increased lead conversion rates by 20% through the implementation of targeted content and personalized messaging.

Global Social Media Coordinator

Bitdefender

May 2012 - Jan 2014

Managed Bitdefender's global social media presence and coordinated integrated marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility.

  • Managed Bitdefender's global social media presence across major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Pinterest), enhancing brand reach and engagement.
  • Coordinated integrated marketing campaigns with Campaign & Product Management teams, ensuring consistent brand messaging.
  • Enhanced brand visibility and authority by positioning Bitdefender as a security expert and actively engaging with relevant online communities.

Community Manager

BullGuard

Sep 2011 - May 2012

Led the growth of BullGuard's social media presence, significantly increasing website traffic and lead generation through active community engagement.

  • Led the growth of BullGuard's social media presence, resulting in increased website traffic and lead generation.
  • Boosted forum traffic by 150% and improved prospect engagement through active community management and compelling content creation for the company blog.
  • Provided customer support and analyzed metrics using Google Analytics, optimizing content and managing download portals.

Web Content Specialist

BullGuard

Dec 2010 - Sep 2011

Managed website updates and social media presence for BullGuard, ensuring content consistency and optimizing performance.

  • Managed website updates for BullGuard.com, ensuring content consistency across international sites and optimizing page performance.
  • Utilized Google Analytics to create and optimize landing pages, improving funnel conversion rates and accelerating content update speed.
  • Oversaw BullGuard's social media presence across Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, engaging in online conversations and managing campaigns.

EN/FR Senior IT Support Technician

BullGuard

Apr 2007 - Dec 2010

Provided technical support and customer service to BullGuard users, developing strong communication and problem-solving skills.

  • Provided accurate technical support and courteous customer service to BullGuard users and potential customers via email and live chat.
  • Moderated and engaged on the BullGuard Forum, effectively addressing user inquiries and concerns.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless customer experience and satisfaction, resolving complex IT issues.

Customer Service Representative (French)

Softwin

Jun 2006 - Mar 2007

Provided technical assistance for IT, Phone, and TV services to native French speakers via email and chat.

  • Delivered technical assistance for IT, Phone, and TV services to native French-speaking clients through e-mail and chat channels.
  • Ensured effective communication and problem resolution for a diverse customer base, enhancing service quality.

Education

International Business and Economics

Academia de Studii Economice din București

Sep 2007 - Jun 2010

Certificates

AltMBA7 Alumnus

AltMBA

Jan 2021

Inbound Marketing Certified Professional

HubSpot

Jan 2018

Microsoft Certified Professional

Microsoft

Jan 2009

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist

Microsoft

Jan 2008

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician

Microsoft

Jan 2008

Languages

French (Proficient) , German (Basic) , English (Fluent) , Romanian (Native)

Skills

Ecommerce

  • E-Commerce Consulting
  • Online Retail
  • Online Sales Management
  • Ecommerce Growth & Profitability
  • POAS Optimization
  • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
  • Omnichannel Expansion
  • Digital Transformation
  • User Acquisition
  • Retention
  • Monetization

Marketing Strategy & Automation

  • Inbound Marketing
  • Growth Hacking
  • Performance Marketing
  • Customer-Centric Marketing
  • Marketing Automation
  • Content Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • SEO
  • Brand Development

Technology & Platforms

  • Magento (1 & 2)
  • Klaviyo
  • Nosto
  • Algolia
  • Funnel.io
  • Hubspot
  • Google Analytics
  • Web Design
  • AI-driven Search
  • Personalization

Leadership & Business Acumen

  • Building & Leading KPI-Driven Teams
  • Strategic Planning
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Team Leadership
  • Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Business Growth
  • Operational Efficiency