Youth Villages is looking to hire an individual who will be responsible for planning, development and implementation of all of the Organization’s marketing, communications, and public relations activities, both external and internal. This highly motivated individual will create, lead, and implement, key messaging against various targets, building brand awareness through PR and media relations, and developing marketing strategies to referral sources. In addition, the individual will oversee development and implementation of support materials and services in the area of marketing, communications and public relations and will direct the efforts of the marketing, communications and public relations staff.
Within the Organization, the position has primary working relationships with the CEO, CMO, company officers, development team and other internal departments. Outside the organization, the position coordinates, primarily, with the national and local media and supporting marketing agencies.
The ideal candidate will possess the ability to think and act strategically, while also demonstrating the hands-on skills required to develop marketing programs across a broad range of audiences and media. The ideal candidate will have a passion for marketing and public relations and possess the leadership and communication skills to create compelling, market-driven programs that drive results.
Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Sr. Director of Marketing Communications at Youth Villages will be responsible for building and executing a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing/branding strategy to support national growth efforts. This position will oversee PR, media relations and internal communications and will work closely with the Director of Digital Strategy and Creative Services (recent hire).
Requirements:- Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing, communications or other related field Master’s degree preferred. 10 + years professional marketing communications, public relations experience; prefer hands-on, progressive experience in national media relations with a technology focus. At least 5 years of experience managing a team
- Extensive experience in the creation of marketing plans; with focus on media relations, public relations and crisis communications. Must have strong working knowledge and successful track record in each of these areas
- Demonstrated ability to direct multiple projects, set priorities, work independently, problem solve, work as part of a team and excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- High level of creativity, attention to detail, ability to effectively prioritize and multi-task, flexibility and comfort in fast-changing and ambiguous environments
- Must be a team player, able to work closely with cross-functional development groups and anticipate and react to changes quickly
- Demonstrated ability to oversee and direct multiple projects, set priorities and timelines, work independently, problem solve, and excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- High level of creativity, attention to detail, ability to effectively prioritize and multi-task, and flexibility and comfort in fast-changing environment.
- Must be a team player, and able to work closely with cross-functional teams within the company and anticipate and react to changes quickly
- Proven track record to develop and grow talent within the organization
- Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of marketing, communications and public relations activities
- Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational and personal sales skills.
- Experience developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, developing, supervising and appraising personnel
- Demonstrated successful experience writing press releases, making presentations and negotiating with media
- Demonstrated experience with developing teams, building personal development plans and mentoring direct reports while setting professional growth goals
- Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams. Strong oral and written communications skills. Ability to manage multiple projects at a time
- Out-of-town, overnight travel required as needed
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support strategic communication goals, messaging/brand strategy & other critical marketplace data & direction
- Oversee the organization's public relations, media relations, and crisis communications strategies and objectives, and ensure that they are consistent with organization’s overall long-term goals and priorities
- Help to oversee that creative services (internal team) delivers an exceptional product reflecting the brand identity and serves our internal clients with an organized, timely product
- Oversee and direct the planning, development & execution of the organization’s marketing & communications initiatives, aligning with the digital and social teams to ensure fully integrated plans.
- Work with across PR, social and digital to develop content strategy for online channels
- Work closely with Development, Recruiting, Business Policy and Procedures, Strategic Partnerships and Managed Care and Referrals teams, as well as other key Youth Villages teams to identify business needs, implement marketing plans, track marketing effectiveness and ROI, and guide growth strategies
- Conduct and interpret public opinion surveys
- Follow issues in the news (national and local) and in the industry; identify how those issues might affect the organization, and develop strategies to address issues as needed
- Provide input and assistance to organization personnel in preparing materials which are to be made public
- Prepare and advise leadership and management on media crises (both real and potential) and public relations activities; serve as the point person for all crises that may have media attention
- Support and work directly with the CEO on special projects on an as needed basis
- Frequently remains in stationary position for periods of time
- Person must be able to travel to all Youth Villages locations
- Regularly needs to move throughout office to access file cabinets and office machinery
- Constantly operates a computer and other office machinery such as calculator, copy machines, and printer
- Frequently moves, ascend/descend, and traverse to gain access in rural and metro campuses
