Director of Marketing and Communications

The Marketing Director is responsible for coordinating all marketing and communication efforts, including coordination of all internal and external communication, ensuring brand compliance, community relations and collaborations with community agencies to achieve the goals of the Akron Area YMCA. Adhere to: Workers' Compensation Procedures, Risk Management & Liability policies, etc… Writing: Use creative writing skills to craft articles, video scripts, emails, promotional appeals and online content to ensure a consistent message to all audience sectors.

POSITION SUMMARY: This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Marketing Director is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of all marketing and communication efforts. This position is responsible for implementing policy decisions, in conjunction with their supervisor. The Marketing Director is responsible for coordinating all marketing and communication efforts, including coordination of all internal and external communication, ensuring brand compliance, community relations and collaborations with community agencies to achieve the goals of the Akron Area YMCA. All activities are done to further the YMCA Mission. OUR CULTURE: Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Marketing and Communication: Develop and implement strategic marketing plan(s) to achieve Association's short-and long-term goals to support sales and revenue objectives. Research, analyze and monitor financial, technological, and demographic factors to capitalize on market opportunities. Plan, create, and coordinate advertising and promotional activities, including but not limited to: print, online, video and other electronic media, and direct mail. Implement and coordinate website, social media and other digital communication strategies to expand visibility and increase member and community engagement across all digital platforms. Track/report web traffic trends. Public Relations: Plan and implement public relation strategies, policies and procedures. Field and direct responses to all media-related inquiries. Research and write copy for the Akron Area YMCA's promotional materials. Develop and maintain good contacts and relationships with local media outlets. Ensure that YMCA-related communications do not compromise the Akron Area YMCA's tax-exempt status. Create positive and proactive internal and external communication. Crisis Management: Develop and manage Crisis Communication process for the association, to include serving as spokesperson for the association when required. Brand Compliance: Coordinate efforts with leadership team to ensure branch compliance with YUSA brand standards. Maintain brand compliance for the association. Financial Development: Direct marketing and communication efforts for all financial development activities of the association in coordination with the Senior Vice President of Development. Budget Management: Develop, manage, and monitor the department operating budget and meet or exceed budget targets. Participate in the annual budget development process in coordination with the Senior Vice President of Finance. Membership Growth: Work with DAXKO Operations Manager and Membership Focus Group to develop and direct high-quality member engagement, retention strategies and programs which support the mission and established goals. Strategic Planning: Support strategic planning efforts which include multi-year plans as well as annual goals, both departmental and individual. Risk Management: Ensure the safety of all members and staff. Adhere to: Workers' Compensation Procedures, Risk Management & Liability policies, etc… Writing: Use creative writing skills to craft articles, video scripts, emails, promotional appeals and online content to ensure a consistent message to all audience sectors. Record Keeping: Maintain and file all applicable association reports and records, including payroll and business office forms. Work with Association Services Offices for approval prior to entering into contractual relationships. Networking: Represent and promote the YMCA in the local community and develop positive working relationships with other organizations, businesses, and governmental entities. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies in service delivery area. Leadership: Serve as a member of LEAD (Lead. Engage. Achieve. Develop.) and participate as a member of the Membership Focus Group for the association. Participate in regional and national YMCA marketing peer groups. Personal Development: Use the YUSA's Leadership Competency Model as a guide to improve those areas identified in your development plan and leverage those areas identified as strengths. Other duties as assigned. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | ABUSE PREVENTION: Upholding the YMCA's commitment to the safety and well-being of youth in our programs is a core responsibility of all staff regardless of position. Attend required abuse risk management training. Screen employees and volunteers for abuse risk according to policies and procedures. Train, supervise, and require adherence of employees and volunteers to policies and procedures related to abuse risk. Provide employees and volunteers with regular feedback about boundaries with consumers. Respond quickly to policy and procedure violations. Respond quickly and seriously to all reports of suspicious and inappropriate behaviors. Communicate the YMCA's commitment to abuse prevention. Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Collaboration: Builds strong, strategic relationships with current and prospective partners inside and outside the Y. Recruits key organizational partners with diverse perspectives and talents to meet community needs and critical social issues. Collaborates with openness and desire to share leadership. Engaging Community: Stewards the Y cause, promoting and protecting the brand and reputation as a global, inclusive organization within the community. Effectively communicates community benefit and the Y's impact for all stakeholders. Builds bridges within the community so that all segments of society have access to the Y. Communication & Influence: Uses effective and persuasive communication skills to represent the Y as a thought leader in the community. Proactively communicates during critical and important situations, such as crisis or disaster situations. Gets things done through others by effectively reading and interpreting the culture, decisions, networks, and politics in the organization. Innovation: Demonstrates courageous and intelligent risk taking with awareness of societal, economic, and political issues and their impact on the strategic direction of the organization. Rewards and recognizes new and relevant ideas and approaches even if not successful. Functional Expertise: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment. Uses best practices, guidelines, and industry standards as a framework to improve performance. Demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in the technology associated with the job. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field (preferred). 3 or more years of experience in marketing, public relations, and communications. Demonstrated public speaking and community relations experience. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proven organizational and customer service skills. Established working relationships with local media preferred. WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel or bend. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Must be able to read, write, hear and speak the English language in a legible and understandable manner. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Occasionally works in loud noisy environments, such as special events. May be required to work outside and, on occasion, may encounter inclement weather. Ability to view/enter data for long periods of time.