Director for Marketing Communications
Full Time
Washington, DC 20036
$110,000 - $150,000 a year
Posted
Job description
Director for Marketing Communications (Brand and Audience Engagement)
About Urban Institute:
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.
Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity
For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit
https://www.urban.org
.
The Opportunity:
Central to Urban’s mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. The Director for Marketing Communications will develop, execute, and manage the Urban Institute’s marketing communications strategy to increase visibility, engagement and impact. The candidate will play a vital role in expanding the Institute’s audience, with responsibilities ranging from market research to advertising and social media strategy.
Reporting directly to the Senior Director for Brand and Audience Engagement, the Director for Marketing Communications be responsible for positioning and centralizing Urban’s research, publications, and tools—and Urban itself—with key audiences across multiple channels. Using market research, social media, marketing communications, and advertising innovations, the Director for Marketing Communications will plan and execute effective marketing and communications initiatives and projects that build the Urban Institute brand and strengthen relationships with key constituencies.
What You’ll Do:
Marketing Communications
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Develop, plan and implement an annual marketing communication strategy that supports Urban’s strategies and objectives, builds relationships with key audiences, and generates demand for the Institute’s research, products, publications, and services.
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Develop marketing communications that build the Urban Institute brand and strengthen relationships with key constituencies.
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Coordinate marketing campaigns across multiple channels, ensuring consistency of content, brand identity, voice and tone of all communications.
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Serve as liaison with internal and external stakeholders for messaging/theme materials and key communication strategy development.
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Create a network of strategic internal and external partnerships to boost marketing efforts and develop a storytelling plan for the organization.
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Plan, direct, and coordinate marketing budgets in accordance with departmental and organizational goals and objectives.
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Stay up-to-date on new marketing and communications technologies, trends, and ideas.
Social Media
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Develop and implement social media strategies¾defining goals, target audience, strategy, tactics, assets and metrics¾ and report on them.
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Integrate social media strategies with forward-thinking content to amplify Urban’s message, engage stakeholders, and build new audiences.
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Ensure the implementation of policies, procedures and best practices across all Urban social media channels.
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Develop written, visual and verbal reports and evaluation materials to document and report on Urban’s social media performance and campaigns, identifying areas for improvement.
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Oversee organizational training on the use of social media and serve as an ambassador and role model for the effective use of social media in both organizational and personal contexts.
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Provide guidance for research center social media managers, assisting them in navigating Urban policies, maintaining a handbook of best practices, connecting social media. managers and supporting a culture of collaboration while maintaining a sensitivity to the unique social media needs and goals of individual research centers.
Market Research
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Analyze and synthesize market research, primary/secondary research, and survey data to inform marketing strategies and expand engagement in Urban’s research, products, publications and services.
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Design qualitative and quantitative research plans for Urban programs and products in all stages of the product life cycle.
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Review industry research to identify trends that could affect Urban. Interpret data, write reports, and make actionable recommendations.
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Identify the factors that shape stakeholders’ perceptions of Urban and the strengths and weaknesses of communication products.
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Stay current with all available market research and advise on factors that may influence the effective positioning of the organization.
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Work closely with other team members to create reporting dashboards and analyses that will help drive Urban’s overall business metrics.
Advertising
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Oversee and maintain Urban’s advertising strategy to promote the achievement of Urban Institute goals and objectives.
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Manage the advertising budget, ensuring all media buys are timely and include in-kind donations.
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Provide insight and analysis of marketing trends, audience landscape and drivers affecting public policy.
Supervision
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Build and lead a highly efficient team of communications professionals focused on marketing, branding and engagement.
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Supervise and develop performance standards for direct reports whose primary roles are social media, writing and editing, advertising/digital marketing, and audience analytics.
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Recruit, hire and onboard candidates for positions and recommend appointments, promotions, or reassignments to such positions.
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Plan and schedule ongoing production-oriented work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work.
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Give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.
Who You Are:
Essential Skills
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Bachelor’s degree in marketing, analytics or statistics, communications or related field; or commensurate experience.
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Minimum five years of experience developing and managing marketing campaigns in a nonprofit, political or public policy setting with increasing responsibility.
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Experience developing and managing marketing budgets.
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Ability to translate complex and varied inputs, including digital behavioral data and analytics, market research, industry and competitive trends and more, into a clear, cohesive narrative that leads to actionable strategies.
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Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, project, time management and analytical skills
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Expert knowledge in developing strategies to reach new social media and digital audiences to gain support for and involvement in an organization’s mission programs and public offerings in a nonprofit, political or public policy setting. This includes defining goals, target audience, strategy, tactics, assets and metrics, implementing them and reporting on them.
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Expert experience with social media management platforms like Sprout Social and Hootsuite and digital advertising on various platforms, including Google Ads, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
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A leader committed to creating an inclusive culture and representative workplace who embraces a diversity of thought and experience.
Preferred Knowledge
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Strong knowledge of marketing technology and the ability to oversee the implementation of the latest digital tools to support engagement efforts.
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Demonstrable experience developing effective marketing strategies and campaigns,
including those that address branding, product promotion and social engagement. -
A solid understanding of market research and data analysis methods.
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A thorough knowledge of marketing principles and the ability to apply marketing techniques in both digital and non-digital channels.
What You’ll Experience:
No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.
Urban’s greatest asset is our people.
The target salary range for this position is $110,000 - $150,000. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This position has the opportunity to be fully remote.
As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by January 18, 2022, and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work. Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at
humanresources@urban.org
. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
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