Chief Marketing Officer

(Chicago/Hybrid) The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) will lead our Marketing and Communications strategic initiatives to drive growth and broaden awareness for the organization among the Christian Evangelical community. The CMO is responsible for the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing, public relations, communications, and branding strategies that define and communicate the IFCJ brand through effective storytelling about the compelling humanitarian impact of IFCJ’s mission and the spiritual connection of Christians to the Jewish roots of their faith. The CMO is responsible for leading the organizational strategic initiative to reach beyond our core demographic to a broader Evangelical market that supports Israel and the Jewish people.

As a member of the leadership team, the CMO will serve as an advisor to the U.S CEO/GCOO to ensure the Fellowship’s strategic focus is appropriately communicated internally and externally. The CMO provides strategic leadership for the organization and is jointly responsible for culture, policies, and strategic decisions that drive the organization’s success.

This position is based out of our headquarters located in downtown Chicago.

We are seeking an individual with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related business fields. A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related business fields is preferred. A minimum of 7 years in a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading a team is required. Non-profit experience is preferred.

Essential Job Responsibilities Include:

1. Brand Marketing and Communications Strategies:
   • Lead and manage the IFCJ brand by effectively implementing strategies and messaging with the IFCJ primary target audience – evangelical Christians. This includes oversight of public relations, podcasts, social media, SEO, website content, radio, influencer marketing, TV, print, digital, and events.
   • Lead marketing and brand innovations, evolve best practices, establish KPIs, and analyze performance.
   • Develop and execute all marketing and public relations strategies to enhance The Fellowship’s, CEO Yael Eckstein’s, and other brand ambassador’s positioning and maintain image.
   • Build awareness for the purpose of ensuring that IFCJ is seen as a thought leader on humanitarian response to crisis “on the ground” and as the leader of Christian/Jewish relations.
   • Develop a strategic content approach to create compelling, engaging, and relevant content that resonates with the target audience.
   • Lead strategic partnerships and collaborations with external agencies, vendors, and influencers to amplify brand reach and awareness.
   • Collaborate with Office of the President (Israel and U.S.), global marketing team, Integrated Fundraising, Major Gifts, and operations to ensure seamless alignment and execution of marketing initiatives.
2. Market Research, Analysis, and Budget Management:
   • Responsible for development and management of department budget.
   • Lead team in driving investment and analyzing ROI of marketing efforts. Provide marketing analytics and dashboards to inform evolution of marketing programs, including new, progressive growth opportunities and where to stop investing resources.
   • Monitor market trends and donor feedback and adapt branding strategies to stay relevant.
   • Measure, analyze, and report on marketing campaign performance to inform future strategies to achieve goals defined by key performance indicators.
   • Monitor competitors and industry trends to inform strategic decisions.
   • Utilize data-driven insights to evaluate content and channel performance and make recommendations for continuous improvement.
3. Marketing and Communications Leadership and Management:
   • Oversee marketing team including content, education, social media, editorial, archives, brand, and creative services.
   • Serve as Ambassador for CEO in high-level donor meetings.
   • Serve as a trusted advisor to the Global Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the senior leadership team on the development and implementation of strategic marketing and brand-building campaigns and growth.
   • The CMO is the link between the marketing communications department, leadership, and the Board of Trustees, executing innovative stakeholder communications strategies to inform relevant parties about activities and accomplishments of the department and its program.
   • Identify resources externally to support growing writing and content needs both in Israel and the U.S.
   • Model and participate in promoting a fast-paced, results-oriented, and collaborative organizational culture that values learning, continuous improvement, and commitment to quality.
   • Guide brand building, brand identity, and strategic positioning initiatives to strengthen the brand portfolio.
   • Develop and oversee the Marketing and Communications department leadership team, providing direction, mentorship, and support to achieve strategic objectives.
   • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive and effective marketing campaigns.
   • Recruit, train, manage, and nurture Marketing and Communications staff through goal setting, mentorship, evaluation, and recognition.
   • Carry out leadership and managerial responsibilities in accordance with The Fellowship’s policies and applicable laws.
4. Technical Skills & Abilities:
   • In-depth knowledge of marketing channels, tools, and best practices.
   • In-depth understanding of marketing, recurring revenue business models, and acquisition methods.
   • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
   • Strategic thinker with a passion for brand building and market positioning.
   • Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal skills.
   • Ability to lead and direct a team.
   • Demonstrable success creating, articulating, developing, implementing, and tracking strategies geared to market and revenue growth.
   • Commitment to continuous development of best practices and innovation in all areas of marketing and practice development.
   • Understand and leverage faith-based motivators that drive response from the Evangelical Christian community, ensuring communications are on brand, in IFCJ voice, and appeal to our constituents.
   • Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, empower, and motivate staff to perform with excellence.

The Fellowship is an organization of bridge builders whose vision is that Jews and Christians will reverse their 2,000-year history of discord and replace it with a relationship marked by dialogue, understanding, respect, and cooperation. Together we are able to help more than a million Jews in need each year. Our success is built on a culture that celebrates the differences in who we are, what we have experienced, and how we think.

Experience all The Fellowship has to offer and make an impact in a global nonprofit. We offer medical, vision, and dental, retirement saving, paid time off, and many other benefits. We are located on Wacker Drive, across from the Chicago Riverwalk. Please submit your resume and salary requirements.

Key words: Marketing, Communications, Leadership

We are an equal opportunity employer (EOE).