Marketing Director Job at Whitaker Publishing LLC in Springfield

Are you a self-motivated, resourceful problem-solver with a “we’re all in this together” attitude? Are you passionate about connecting 417-landers to what’s best and what’s next in our community, helping them to fully enjoy their life in 417-land?

Whitaker Publishing is a regional lifestyle company in southwest Missouri. The multimedia company owns and produces 417 Magazine, Biz 417, 417mag.com, biz417.com, 417 Custom Publishing and high impact thought-leadership events.

Four One Seven is looking for a Marketing Director with a passion for excellence in project management, marketing strategy, and event planning. If you are looking for opportunities for growth and advancement and you’re ready for the next step in your career, apply today!

We currently have an opening for a Marketing Director. This position will lead the strategic vision and execution of all marketing initiatives to drive the growth and influence of the 417 brand. This role demands a big-picture thinker who is also a skilled executor—someone who can inspire a team, manage multifaceted projects, and deliver measurable results through innovative marketing campaigns, exceptional events, meaningful client engagement, and effective sales strategies. A key focus will be crafting and implementing marketing campaigns that amplify the success and visibility of 417’s events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE AREAS OF THE MARKETING DIRECTOR

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to the strategic direction of the company while championing 417’s Mission and Core Values.
• Inspire, mentor, and empower a high-performing marketing team to excel and achieve ambitious goals.
• Shape and lead the marketing strategy to drive brand growth, align initiatives with business objectives, and amplify the success of 417’s signature events through innovative campaigns.
• Foster collaboration across teams to ensure alignment, efficiency, and innovation in marketing efforts, particularly as they relate to event promotion and execution.
• Develop and manage the annual marketing and events budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize impact and ROI.
• Utilize data and market insights to identify opportunities for audience engagement, event attendance growth, and brand expansion.
• Develop and implement marketing and sales strategies to support revenue growth, streamline workflows, and expand opportunities for event sponsorships and beyond-the-page initiatives.
• Oversee the planning, promotion, and execution of dynamic events that elevate brand visibility, foster audience engagement, and create memorable experiences.
• Perform additional duties as required to support the overall growth and success of the organization.

The ideal candidate will excel in professional communication, have a strong attention to detail, demonstrate good judgment and the ability to evaluate tasks and prioritize effectively, excellent design skills, visual creativity, and strong understanding of typography.

A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field required. At least five years of previous experience is required.

Evaluations and Outcomes:

• The position will be evaluated after 90 days with annual performance appraisals.

Working Conditions

• Normal working conditions in an office environment absent extreme factors. Travel will be required, even after hours or on weekends, for local community events.

Skills and Strengths

• 5+ years of marketing, content creation and social media experience.
• Strategic with long term and holistic thinking about acquisition, retention and engagement tactics and expected results.
• Data driven with the ability to analyze, and most importantly, understand data. Data must be used to tell a story, fuel strategic thinking and optimize tactics.
• Have an understanding of HTML, website development, CMS systems, online advertising, ecommerce, retargeting, paywall functionality, etc. and above average knowledge of direct marketing, database development, marketing automation, social media strategies and email marketing.
• Prior experience with HubSpot and/or any ESP is ideal.
• Relationship driven with strong communication skills. Solid working relationship with (and the respect of) the sales, marketing, ad design and editorial teams. Ability to offer input in meetings and confidence to share ideas.
• Revenue and results driven to understand the importance of tracking all efforts to results, metrics and ultimately, revenue.
• Proactive and not reactive. Must think proactively at all times about acquisition and retention, literally scouring the organization for opportunities to acquire new readers, drive loyalty and fuel engagement.
• Passion for growth, technology, publishing, events and audience experience.
• Ability to stay ahead of trends, adapt and be among the first to report on changes in the industry and technology that will ultimately affect the organization.
• Socially fluent voice.
• Organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Management of a workload with multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Unparalleled customer service.
• Creative thinking, critical thinking, negotiation, decision making and problem solving skills.
• Oh—and last but not least, a passion for excellence.

Environmental Requirements

• Mainly sedentary in an office environment with the exception of event weeks.
• May be required to lift up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Flexible in working extended hours.
• Drivers license and access to reliable transportation required.

To make it as simple for you as possible only name, email, phone, resume and cover letter are required to apply.

We’re Four One Seven, a life-enrichment company in Springfield, Missouri, serving more than 325,362 audience members monthly across our titles of 417 Magazine and Biz 417. In addition, we have robust digital properties to support each title, produce award-winning publications and have a custom publishing division and an event-planning division. While we're at it, we host parties and events for movers, shakers and everyone in between.