The Director of Marketing & Communications provides internal and external marketing communications support to the other departments within the organization. Develops and implements marketing strategies and activities to achieve objectives of the organizational strategic direction and resource development tactical plan. Directs and coordinates activities to pilot new channels of engagement utilizing research; technology such as the website and other social media; and traditional communications. Works with vendors, including public relations, promotional companies, printers and graphic designers.
Brand Management:
- Formulate a strategic marketing and communications plan to maintain high visibility and relevance year-round.
- Compose and issue press releases for news, achieving one major media hit per month.
- Assist with all written items to be sent to donors or stakeholders to ensure consistent branding as directed by the CEO.
- Produce e-news to be sent to United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s mass distribution list.
- Support United Way partners on co-branding opportunities as directed.
- Formulate situational talking points and communications plans for special projects as directed by the CEO.
- Attend conferences to develop public relations/communications skills.
- Provide and construct documents to ensure that staff and volunteers are equipped with timely and effective talking points.
- Develop meaningful working relationships with media contacts by providing excellent service and responding to requests in a timely manner.
- Oversee the production of all public service announcements and other video or audio media.
- Utilize the UWW Message Platform to formulate effective messages and stories.
- Provide leadership, including design and production, on all collateral projects for United Way of Southwest Louisiana.
- Evaluate, recommend, and monitor brand execution, as required by Partner Agencies by the Partner Agreement.
Corporate and Community Engagement:
- Direct and implement United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s marketing strategy and adhere to United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s branding standards. Markets and implements plans consistent with the organization’s Strategic Plan, which provide continuity and consistency between the various interrelated functions of United Way of Southwest Louisiana.
- Create and distribute media alerts related to programs and events, as needed.
Market Intelligence:
- Identify key market segments and opportunities to tailor messages.
- Provide real-time feedback to the CEO on all considerations regarding United Way of Southwest Louisiana branding or messaging.
- Take measures to understand customer perceptions of United Way of Southwest Louisiana and utilize this information on planning marketing and communications strategies.
- Work with CEO to ensure that adequate data is being captured to know our constituents’ needs as donors to United Way of Southwest Louisiana.
Communication:
- Development and implementation of a year-round communication/marketing plan for UWSWLA that utilizes key messages and effective marketing strategies.
- Management of external communication through web, electronic, print and social media platforms.
- Responsible for writing, editing, messaging and consistency in materials.
Digital Strategy:
- Research and develop innovative and effective plans around digital strategy to target multi-channel marketing programs which successfully build profitable, long-term relationships.
- Execute social media strategies across platforms, including: creating engaging content, posting, keeping profiles up-to-date, monitoring pages, and tracking and analyzing metrics.
- Stay current on the latest technologies and identify new opportunities.
- Develop and update content on United Way’s website and troubleshoot issues as needed.
- Create and/or edit content and distribute e-blasts (e-newsletters, evites, etc.) using applicable software.
- Position www.unitedwayswla.org to be a premier source for information about United Way of Southwest Louisiana.
- Position UWSWLA to be a premier source of information on all social media outlets.
- Leverage social media and online engagement opportunities.
- Coordinate the design and production of all collateral/literature to be used to promote United Way of Southwest Louisiana.
- A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience of marketing experience.
Performance Requirements:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to adapt writing style to the medium used.
- Knowledge and skill in desktop publishing.
- Ability to perform on a targeted timeline.
- Ability to effectively collaborate with others for results.
- Ability to function independently within established guidelines.
- Strong project management skills.
- Experience managing a marketing campaign.
- Ability to create concepts for materials and communications.
- Ability to juggle several high priority projects simultaneously.
- Extremely detail oriented and possess the ability to work efficiently and effectively with all levels of the organization.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusion.
- Self-motivated.
Additional Requirements for Hire:
- Proof and maintenance of a valid driver’s license.
- Proof and maintenance of Vehicle Insurance.
- Must pass a Louisiana State Police Background Check.
- Must pass a drug test.