Director of Marketing and Communications

POSITION SUMMARY:

Twin Cities PBS is one of the most innovative public media organizations in the country. Every day, it uses the power of media to advance local storytelling, help young people succeed, and support adults in the pursuit of lifelong learning.

The Director of Marketing and Communications leads Twin Cities PBS marketing and communications efforts supporting strategic priorities and initiatives. This position develops and implements integrated, audience-first marketing and communication strategies and plans across channels, platforms, and projects serving a multitude of vertical businesses across the organization. The role manages a team of people, develops audience, creates and oversees processes, and collaborates cross-functionally with an eye towards optimization using data and insights. The position is also responsible for managing the organization’s digital ecosystem including the website and social media channels; developing communications collateral including press releases, blog stories, and executive speeches; and serving as organizational press contact. The successful candidate will be strategic, innovative, deadline-oriented, collaborative, and a skilled copywriter and storyteller with a passion for public media. This position reports to the Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategy within the MarComm department.

Compensation: $130,000 to $140,000 annually in addition to company provided****benefits.

Hybrid Work Environment: Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Twin Cities Metro area and report to onsite office a minimum of three days per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

INTEGRATED MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY (60% of time)

• Develops short-term and long-term integrated marketing and communications strategies that align with department and organizational goals and cater to key audiences.
• Leads team members to create and execute cross-channel marketing and communications plans including but not limited to social media, email newsletters, website content and programming, traditional and digital advertising, direct mail, targeted press and media outreach, and community activations.
• Intakes, prioritizes, and assigns projects and tasks based on organizational and marketing goals. Creatively problem solves to address and prioritize internal and external marketing opportunities and resources.
• Serves as the primary liaison and central point of contact with content production teams, revenue teams, and other partners to gather information and craft marketing and communications strategies in service of cross-departmental priorities. Identifies cross-promotional opportunities that drive mutual benefit and positive ROI. Clearly disseminates information to direct reports to ensure they effectively and efficiently execute marketing and communications plans and deliverables. Provides information and clarity to partners on project status and outcomes.
• Manages the planning and execution of overall marketing and communications editorial calendar for products, content verticals, and goals.
• Collaborates with the Vice President on PR strategies, issues management, brand reputation efforts. Manages media relations and develops contacts with media members, influencers, and community leaders. Acts as corporate spokesperson and responds to members of the media in a timely manner. Composes and distributes press releases. Works with Marketing and Content teams on press kits. Develops communications and associated materials for diverse external stakeholders including community partners, government officials, funders, members, donors, and audiences.
• Recommends process improvements and strategies to facilitate two-way flow of information and streamlining of marketing and communications functions. Creates best practices and standardized tools, templates, and documentation to support and explain MarComm work.
• Works continuously to assess and maintain the integrity of the Twin Cities PBS brand (visual identity, tone, voice) and its cohesive, consistent application across all internal and external touchpoints.
• Leads the management and maintenance of the Twin Cities PBS digital ecosystem including the website, email, and social media channels.
• Supports community activations that further the Twin Cities PBS mission and vision.
• Collaborates with other PBS and public media organizations to develop and enhance station relations efforts, resulting in greater reach for local content productions.
• Understands the user journey from acquisition through philanthropy and markets to key audiences appropriately based on their position in the marketing funnel.
• Manages marketing, communications, and promotional budgets for content verticals and strategic priorities, making sure all projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Measures, analyzes, and tracks KPIs that assess marketing and communications success across platforms in line with marketing industry and public media standards and delivers ongoing reporting for senior management. Makes data-driven decisions and optimizes marketing campaigns and strategies for ongoing effectiveness. Researches current benchmark trends and audience preferences to determine the most appropriate mix of media to promote and present content to audiences.

MARKETING TEAM LEADERSHIP (20% of time)

• Provides and supports professional development and skill building for the Marketing team. Builds a culture of continuous learning in line with rapid marketing industry evolution.
• Focuses performance on the strategic plan by mentoring and motivating staff to develop a culture that lives the mission and drives results.
• Creates and assesses performance benchmarks and goals for individual staff members by platform and audience focus.
• Leads, mentors, inspires, and guides team and staff members throughout their Twin Cities PBS careers.
• Oversees the hiring, staffing, evaluation, overall management, and training of staff.

COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION (15% of time)

• Collaborates seamlessly with a broad range of internal clients representing a variety of departments and disciplines. Customizes the approach to client management and handles daily interactions with mutually beneficial synergy opportunities in mind.
• Collaborates with other Department Leaders including Creative Services and Marketing Operations, Events and Community Outreach, Sponsorship, Content (History, Arts & Culture, Public Affairs, Children’s Media), and Advancement (Membership, Major Giving, Institutional Giving, Revenue Operations) to develop fully integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Works effectively with key external parties including paid talent, volunteer talent, the public, agency partners, production companies, and public media station relations contacts across the country.
• Manages and leads recurring team meetings and cross-departmental meetings to improve productivity and performance and meet station goals.
• Develops effective and visually compelling presentations for senior management that succinctly summarize key marketing and communications strategies, plans, and data-driven outcomes. Collaborates with Evaluation and other teams to integrate key insights into comprehensive reports and recaps.

Other duties as assigned (5% of time)

• Participates as an active member and leader of the Twin Cities PBS Marketing team within the MarComm department. Contributes to shared goals and collaborates with colleagues on achievement of priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field.
• 8+ years of marketing leadership and strategy development, including the development and execution of cross-channel campaigns to grow awareness and engagement with new and existing audiences.
• 5+ years of management experience with direct reports.
• Experience with marketing content strategy implementation, working with sophisticated editorial calendars and other content management tools.
• Proven experience effectively counselling senior-level executives and other business partners and activating a communications strategy with C-Suite executives.
• Proven experience in change management and working quickly in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Proven experience copywriting and developing effective presentations.
• Proven experience with email marketing platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in PR and media relations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications technologies, all social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.), and digital content.
• Proven experience with CRM and CMS systems.
• Proven experience with project management systems.
• Experience with Google Analytics and other digital analytics platforms.
• Experience and knowledge of SEO and other search engine marketing techniques.

Preferred Experience

• MBA or master’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field.
• 15+ years of marketing and communications leadership and strategy development.
• 10+ years of management experience with direct reports.
• Background in broadcast media production and/or digital storytelling.
• On-camera experience with broadcast, social, or digital content.
• Experience with design software and tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.).

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Advanced analytical skills with passion for data and metrics with ability to interpret data and provide recommendations for optimizing marketing and communications strategy and campaigns.
• Storyteller with exceptional copywriting, editing and proofreading skills, including understanding and effectively translating complex subject matter into simple messages.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver innovative, multiplatform marketing and communications strategies, plans, and tactics with measurable outcomes.
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to remain organized and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and limited resources.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external constituents in a friendly and professional manner.
• Exceptional ability to lead and inspire teams and keep them focused on organizational goals and strategies.
• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter, and motivate self to achieve success.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and collaborate to achieve goals.
• Strong focus on audience and end user needs**.**
• Strong organizational and time management skills. Able to multitask in a fast-paced, time sensitive production environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of AP and Chicago style writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with all team members.
• Commitment to advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) priorities within the organization.
• Culturally adaptive with empathy, experience, knowledge, and ability to work with diverse communities.
• Ability to work outside of regular office hours, when required.
• Ability to travel to locations in the greater metro area on a frequent basis. Occasional travel out of the state.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.