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About the role
The Marketing & Communications Program Lead works directly with the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications. Together, they will develop, implement, and measure a strategic communications and community relations program that supports the mission and goals of The Imagine Institute.
The ideal candidate has a commitment to the diversity and dynamism of the early learning field, is a strong project manager, and finds reward in creating stellar content to showcase the amazing work and mission of The Imagine Institute. Those who are bilingual in Spanish and/or Somali are highly encouraged to apply.
Essential Functions
- Works cross-functionally with digital, content and design specialists to deliver compelling content with a coordinated content calendar.
- Assists with developing and implementing tactical plans to increase brand awareness, such as brand campaigns, media plans, websites, social media, sponsorships, industry events, and other communication mediums.
- Distributes strategic system and site-specific content to prioritize stakeholders via targeted appropriate digital and social media platforms, blogs, traditional media, etc., to increase visibility, care site usage, and inform the public about The Imagine Institute’s programs and mission.
- Works with leadership to increase positive visibility internally and externally and maintain proactive media relations.
- Serve as project management support and on occasion project lead for various marketing and communication-related projects including website and collateral development.
- Ensures the site’s external and internal website content is current and updated with relevant content.
- Work with leadership to increase positive visibility internally and externally and maintain active media relations.
- Helps to create and distribute press releases as applicable and pitch feature stories; suggest topics, and stories, produce and distribute to appropriate channels.
- Maintain the confidentiality of information coming into and being disseminated out of the department.
- Develop communication plans that raise awareness and increase stakeholder engagement for care site, regional, and system strategic priorities.
- Write, edit and proof materials to ensure quality and accuracy of care site/regional/system content.
- Collaborate with staff to find opportunities to leverage content for integrated marketing and communication strategies and tactics.
- Assist in developing annual plans and budgets for assigned communication areas and monitor budgets for efficiency, effectiveness, and stewardship.
- Helps manage social media platforms.
- Perform keyword research in collaboration with program campaigns and implement SEO optimization
- Ensure Communication and Marketing programs meet The Imagine Institute’s standards and compliance with Imagine policies and funding agency contract requirements
- Demonstrate initiative by seeking out additional ways to improve systems, protocols, and processes to help the program achieve its goals
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field; or, 4 years of direct experience in the field
- Experience managing communications for an organization preferred
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience working with governmental agencies a plus
- Experience in early childhood education or workforce development preferred
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in public relations, social media, or marketing.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to simplify complex concepts under tight deadlines.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with strong presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely for both internal and external audiences, including (but not limited to) content for news releases, media advisories, fact sheets, white papers, executive speeches and presentations, employee newsletters, blogs, social media, etc. Writing samples must be provided.
- Demonstrated ability to form and maintain relationships with media.
- Demonstrated knowledge of design and social media tools such as Hootsuite, Canva, Visme, Adobe Creative.
- Experience in analyzing web data and metrics reporting a plus
Requirements
- Must be able to sit, or stand, for long periods of time using office equipment and computer
- Must be comfortable updating website and social media pages and learn new tech tools
- May require moderate lifting of supplies and materials from time to time
- Collaborative and flexible team player with strong organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and simultaneously on multiple tasks with conflicting deadlines
- Commitment to the diversity and dynamism of participants, colleagues, and stakeholders
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English are required. Secondary fluency in Somali, Spanish, or another language preferred
- Ability to give and receive feedback in a professional manner
- Ability to patiently explain technology and policies to participants, colleagues, and stakeholders
- Must be able to occasionally work long and irregular hours, sometimes including weekends