Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Join the Merrimack Valley Y Team - Together We Thrive!The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.Job DescriptionThis position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Merrimack Valley YMCA serves on the CEO’s senior leadership team and provides high level strategic leadership in marketing and communications to advance the YMCA’s mission. The Vice President – Marketing and Communications is responsible for providing vision and leadership for market-driven and innovative membership and program solutions throughout the Y. The VP leads the marketing, communication, digital and virtual portfolio. This includes all activities related to conceptualizing and implementing innovative, high impact marketing strategies and achieving targets resulting in increased brand awareness, growth in membership and program revenue, new partner and corporate engagement. The VP partners with the COO related to strategy development and implementation. The VP partners with the CEO on public relations and positioning. The VP leads the planning and execution of the three major events of the Association (Annual Meeting, Golf Tournament and Gala). As a senior leader in the Y, the VP will play an integral role in defining, developing, and executing strategic and tactical plans to achieve our business and mission objectives. This position requires a seasoned leader with the ability to build strong, collaborative partnerships throughout the organization while developing and coaching a support team.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent; Master’s degree preferred.YMCA Organizational Leader certification preferred.Eight or more years of professional experience with a background in marketing and communications in the YMCA or another non-profit preferred.Ability to relate to top community leaders and diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.Proficiency in all Microsoft office products and social media platforms.Knowledge of the media and its use in gaining exposure for YMCA events and programs.Strong interpersonal, public relations and communication skills, including the ability to make presentations and handle media inquiries. Proven track record in influencing and building success through effective peer and matrix relationships internally and externally. Effective supervisor, team leader and coach.High level marketing and brand strategy experience showing innovative and proven revenue and engagement results.Eloquent, articulate and persuasive written and oral communications.Innovative thinker and creative problem solver with a willingness to challenge the status quo.Specific experience with social media, digital and interactive methods to drive brand awareness and acquisition. Personal interest, use and fascination with technology.Demonstrated ability to understand changing market dynamics, translate them into short and long term actionable strategy, gain approval and widespread support, and generate tactics necessary to ensure plans are realized. Fearless in the face of changing customer behaviors.Strong analytical, technical, and project management skills; Demonstrated success in designing and delivering quality programs and materials within targeted timelines and simultaneously managing multiple projects.Deep commitment to the Y’s mission and communities served.Marketing Essential FunctionsMentor, motivate, and lead the support team in day-to-day operations with an emphasis on a service culture, objectives and success. Develop and retain talented employees, leading the team to become a high performing, highly engaged experience organization.Provides leadership in the assessment, evolution and development of market informed process, programs and services that support the Association’s objectives.Employs multi-pronged strategies including digital, video, website, social media, affiliation, product research, analysis and strategy to drive engagement.Develop and manage associated budget and monitor achievement of plans, taking corrective action as needed to ensure objectives are met.Membership And Program Acquisition And ExperiencePartners with the COO and Membership and Program Teams to establish best-in-class approaches for acquisition, retention, engagement and renewal for all Y members and programs.Oversee the creation, production and implementation of inspiring campaigns, programs and materials that build the brand and drive sales, renewal and retention.Coordinate and monitor performance metrics and coach throughout the organization to ensure success.Understand and interpret market dynamics for use in optimizing strategy and/or gaining efficiencies and developing new programs to best meet key business, sales, and revenue objectives.TechnologyDesigns, oversees the development of and deploys exceptional digital experiences for members and participants.Build out and oversee the Y’s virtual platform including partnering on the regional and national level to enhance the experience.Drives integration of experience across all platforms and stakeholders.PositioningEnsure public relations and media involvement that develops and strengthens our image and builds brand awareness, relevance, reputation, and esteem among target audiences.Play a key role in the development, communication and reporting of the strategic plan.Plan and execute the three main Association special events (Annual Meeting, Golf Tournament and Gala).Foster relationships and collaborate with local community leaders to advance the Y and our strategic objectives.Collaborate with YMCA colleagues regionally and nationally to learn, share and employ proven experience and marketing strategies. Help elevate efficiency and effectiveness through active contributions and participation in leading-edge experience, marketing and innovation initiatives.Ensure Y-USA Brand Compliance and leads brand audits as necessary.RelationshipsEnsure an effective partnership with our Chief Operating Officer to develop a communications strategy for all fund-raising initiatives and support strategies through the development of all print, online and multi-media financial development communications.As a senior leader, provide visionary thought leadership to help drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.Represents the CEO in the community as needed.Performs other duties as assigned.Cause-Driven Leadership CompetenciesCommunity and Collaboration - ensures community engagement; promotes the global nature of the Y.Communication and Influence - The ability to convey a message in a way that inspires, motivates, or persuades others to take action, make decisions, or adopt a certain viewpoint.Volunteerism - leads a culture of volunteerism ensuring engagement, inclusion, and ownership.Relationships – Initiates the development of relationships with influential leaders to impact and strengthen the community.Quality Results – Determines benchmarks and ensures appropriate leadership to meet objectives.Emotional Maturity – Shares authority and demonstrates courage and humility.#J-18808-Ljbffr