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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Statewide Marketing and Communications Manager

• Location: Hybrid – Harrisburg, PA (including some in-state travel)
• Employment Type: Part-time (20 hours/week)
• Reports To: Director of Statewide Initiatives
   

Are you ready to shape the narrative of innovation throughout Pennsylvania?

Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) is seeking a bold, savvy, and strategic Statewide Marketing and Communications Manager to enhance our brand across the state. In this high-impact role, you will drive the statewide marketing strategy while unifying the brand presence and messaging across four regional centers, amplify our impact, and engage with key audiences, including entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and the media. If you are inspired by storytelling, collaboration, and driving genuine economic change, this flexible part-time position presents a unique opportunity to champion innovation and foster economic growth in a vibrant, mission-driven setting.

About Us

For over 40 years, Ben Franklin Technology Partners has been a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and regional economic growth throughout Pennsylvania. Through investments, mentorship, and strategic resources, BFTP empowers early-stage startups and established manufacturers to grow and thrive. Learn more: www.benfranklin.org

Key Responsibilities

Statewide Strategy and Coordination

• Develop and execute a unified statewide marketing and communications strategy with regional teams and the Director of Statewide Initiatives.
• Align messaging and priorities across regional leads and external partners on shared communications initiatives.
• Lead in creating statewide campaigns, legislative reports, and multimedia storytelling.
• Act as the primary marketing and communications liaison to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other state-level economic development agencies.
• Oversee and maintain statewide communications assets, including social media, websites, and brand materials.

Branding and Messaging

• Ensure consistent brand identity, tone, and messaging across all regions and platforms.
• Collaborate with regional marketing teams to refine and manage brand guidelines effectively.
• Provide strategic oversight of statewide public relations and crisis communication efforts.
• Work with external consultants and the Director of Statewide Initiatives to create and maintain effective advocacy messaging and content to advance statewide BFTP priorities.

Digital and Content Management

• Manage and optimize BFTP’s statewide website, email marketing, and social media channels.
• Create and oversee digital content (e.g. blogs, video, newsletters, reports, etc.) highlighting BFTP’s success stories and impact.
• Leverage data analytics tools to track, analyze, and report digital performance; adjust strategies to maximize engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement & Events

• Support planning and promotion of statewide events, innovation showcases, and legislative briefings.
• Collaborate and oversee statewide media relations and press releases.
• Establish and strengthen connections with media outlets, partner organizations, and collaborators within the ecosystem to enhance BFTP's reach.

Collaboration and Leadership

• In partnership with the Director of Statewide Initiatives, lead regular communications calls and working groups across regional centers.
• Identify and manage shared marketing vendors and resources when appropriate.
• Support and guide regional teams on marketing tools, trends, and best practices.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimally requires a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field (master’s preferred) and seven or more years of directly related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Progressive professional work experience in marketing, communications, or brand strategy, ideally in innovation, economic development, or the nonprofit/public sector, is highly strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to design and lead integrated marketing strategies across complex organizations.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, including experience creating content for executives and media outlets.
• Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities across regions.
• Proficient with CRM systems, email marketing platforms, social media management, website CMS, and analytics tools.
• Skilled at collaborating with diverse stakeholders in a decentralized, hybrid environment.
• Based in Pennsylvania, able to travel in-state (occasionally overnight) as needed.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Understanding Pennsylvania's entrepreneurial ecosystem, public policy, and economic development landscape. 
• Experience in legislative communications or messaging related to government affairs. 
• Graphic design skills or visual communication abilities are a plus.

This job requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid US driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

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