United Way of the Bluegrass Inc. is hiring: Director, Marketing & Engagement

United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) works to create opportunities for all members of our community to have a better life. We focus on the building blocks of a good life—a quality education, financial stability for individuals and families, and good health. We bring together the voices, expertise, and resources to define, articulate, and implement a common agenda for change for our region. That is what it means to "Live United" in Central Kentucky

The Director of Marketing and Engagement, a dynamic and experienced professional, plays a pivotal role in shaping the marketing, communications, and engagement strategies for United Way's 10-county service region. The Director’s primary responsibilities, including planning and executing UWBG's strategic marketing and communications activities, directly contribute to our mission of creating a better life for all community members. The Marketing and Engagement unit is a critical part of the Resource Development (RD) department and works collaboratively with the Community Impact (CI) department. This position is a non-remote role that has the ability to work one day a week remotely with approval from department leadership.

Areas of focus include strategic message development, external communications, public relations, community affairs, special events, volunteer events, and digital marketing.

How You'll Help

Join our team and lead content and digital marketing, external communications, and community engagement. Reporting to the Vice President of Resource Development, this role will play an integral part in the success of UWBG's marketing, communications, and events, helping to increase our brand awareness and tell our story.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and execute the organization's overall marketing, engagement, and communication strategy, working closely with the management team, program staff, and UWBG vendors.
• Champion the UWBG brand by serving as brand manager and ambassador for all UWBG products and services.
• Develop and manage the messaging, image, and positioning of UWBG’s brand to key stakeholders by serving as a strategic thought partner.
• Oversee all content marketing, communications plans, special events, volunteer activities, advertising/promotions, and media relations.
• Responsible for all the assets development (email marketing, video production, photoshoots, event support, advertising, collaterals, content development, event social media plan, website updates, promotional items, etc.).
• Understand the principles of branding and design to create and update marketing materials as needed.
• Create tracking and prepare marketing reports to brief stakeholders on key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Support and manage other marketing projects as needed.
• Partner with internal teams to direct high-level marketing and promotional plans, strategy recommendations, brand alignment, marketing, and communication strategies.
• Ensures all communications and design have appropriate brand identity and messaging; authors and/or reviews, edits, and approves external communications from various departments.
• Develop multi-touch stories for collateral, website, newsletter, and other communications while supervising contractors and social media plans.
• Organize press opportunities/events and prepare media responses.
• Develop robust plans and successful execution of special fundraising events.
• Assist in all other duties assigned to reach desired goals through teamwork

CORE UNITED WAY COMPETENCIES

• MISSION-FOCUSED - A top priority is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This competency drives performance and professional motivation.
• RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED - Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• COLLABORATOR - Understands the roles and contributions of all community sectors and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• RESULTS-DRIVEN - Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good, creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• BRAND STEWARD - A brand steward who understands their role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the more outstanding network.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COMPETENCIES

• GENERAL MARKETING ACUMEN: NUTS AND BOLTS OF MARKETING- takes a strategic, long-range view, sees the big picture, and identifies with the wants and needs of United Way's diverse stakeholders (donors, volunteers, advocates, community partners, news media, and others). It uses integrated storytelling techniques to tell United Way story, shares vital messages, and engages and influences critical stakeholders in a compelling and influential manner.
• PRODUCT MANAGEMENT: TAKING IMPACT PRODUCTS TO MARKET—promotes United Way's strategy to support the mission by using the product management process to frame and package "community-building strategies" into products. Packaged products are to be attractive, appealing, and "sellable" to increase the engagement and commitment of current and new supporters and donors.
• CREATING BRAND EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE (Individuals, Donors, Partners)- brings United Way’s brand to life and enables everyone who interacts with United Way to experience the power of our mission. Recognizes and acts on the needs of external and internal customers. Focuses on building sustainable relationships with donors through a brand experience designed to create positive sentiment and behavior change – to increase brand commitment.
• EFFECTIVE AND ENGAGING COMMUNICATION– is an effective and passionate communicator, articulating United Way’s message to inspire others to serve the organization and the community. Designs, shapes, and executes a comprehensive, multi-faceted donor and stakeholder plan that supports the organization's strategy and objectives, builds relationships with key audiences, and works to position United Way as the leader in community impact.
• DONOR INFLUENCE- uses data to plan and execute strategic marketing and communications activities and materials to support donors' development and engagement. Develops and manages messaging image and positioning of United Way’s brand to donors. Partners strategically with CI and RD professionals and others to obtain information relevant to donors and to create feedback materials and products that make a positive sentiment, behavior change, and brand commitment among prospective and current donors.
• VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT- creates a brand experience that attracts, engages, and retains volunteers. Bring United Way’s brand to life so prospective and current volunteers experience the power of United Way’s mission. Is attentive and responsive to the needs of volunteers. Partners strategically with CI and RD professionals and others to obtain information relevant to volunteers and to create feedback materials and products that make a positive sentiment, behavior change, and brand commitment among prospective and current volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or Public Relations preferred, OR equivalent work experience.
• 5-7 years of relevant marketing and communications experience, supervisory experience preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience are essential for this position.
• Experience planning and executing special events and negotiating and managing vendor contracts
• Experience managing volunteers preferred
• Ability to independently and proactively work on critical projects. Initiative and self-direction are essential to this position.
• Experience in mission-driven marketing communications. Nonprofit experience preferred
• Experience working directly with print, broadcast, and media
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships both internally, across the organization, and externally with vendors, media partners, and other stakeholders
• Attention to detail and ability to write, edit, and respond quickly
• Ability to write reports, copy-write for press release development, and draft business correspondence as well as speeches and presentations for senior executives
• Skills with online ticketing programs and survey tools are preferred.
• Skills with Adobe Creative, WordPress, SEO, and UX/UI best practices preferred
• Experience with mobile giving platforms and text-to-give programs, strongly preferred
• Webpage editing and HTML skills for website story editing and posting, preferred
• Advance experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.) as well as Google collaboration tools (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.) is a must.
• Experience with email marketing platforms like Mailchimp.
• Experience managing successful media and print advertising.
• Well-versed with design tools like Canva & experience with builders platforms like Formstack.
• Experience with social media content development.
• Experience with basic HTML, CRM platforms, and video editing software.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours on occasion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee is regularly required to communicate, in oral and written formats, with others in person, over the phone, and via other devices. The employee must travel by car regularly to locations throughout UWBG's regional footprint. Access to a reliable automobile and the ability to drive it is essential to this position. The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects weighing up to 25lbs.

BENEFITS

Our robust benefits package includes employer-subsidized premiums on employee-only health, dental, and vision plans; 3%- 6% employer contributions to 401(k); employer-paid life/STD

APPLY

Please visit UWBG's Career Opportunities. A complete application will include a resume and cover letter.