Marketing and Communications Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION

October 2022

TITLE: Marketing andCommunications Manager

REPORTS TO: Director of Communications and Public Affairs

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY: 

assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of the Association’s communications and marketing strategy and is responsible for increasing member engagement and public outreach on AAA activities, products and services.

SCOPE OF ORGANIZATIONAL/FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Marketing and Communications Manager collaborates across AAA departments to develop unified messaging strategies designed to increase awareness of the value of anthropology and its contributions to society with students, employers, current and prospective members, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Tasks include writing and copy-editing and selecting appropriate channels (both internal and external) for distribution.  The position also effectively guides the strategic use of all social media channels.

Media relations skills are especially important. A broad working knowledge of traditional and social media will include having an eye for what is newsworthy, then write and pitch AAA content (ideas/experts/articles) and establish relationships with key media targets.

Good understanding and knowledge of integrated marketing communication in both traditional and new media and strong understanding of how to implement projects within an advertising and marketing environment.

The position also monitors content management systems and email marketing platforms and assists with developing and placing content on the AA website.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES MANAGED/SUPERVISED: None

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Communications Strategy

• Collaborates with the Director/Communications in designing comprehensive communications strategies and campaigns that advance AAA’s objectives.
• Manages working relationships with staff and members to assist with communications needs and ensure messaging is consistent with overall communications strategy.
• Works with partner and coalition organizations to develop messages and materials to support communication goals.

Media Relations

• Manages the development and implementation of effective media strategies and campaigns that contribute to a well-defined media presence for AAA projects.
• Cultivates relationships with key media targets (e.g., science writers and allied journalists) to increase the rate of feature story placements highlighting the association’s work and that of our members.
• Actively monitors, tracks, and circulates relevant media coverage.
• Writes and edits communications materials in collaboration with the Director/Communications, such as press releases, pitch memos, editorial board memos, op-eds, and letters to the editor.

Marketing

• Develops and implements initiatives to increase web traffic on the association homepage and other online social media portals.
• Develops and implements strategies to promote meetings, conferences and other AAA events.
• Demonstrated graphic design skills for marketing collateral using InDesign or equivalent a plus
• Utilizes data and analytics to measure success and ROI of campaigns and uses insights to make recommendations regarding the effectiveness and prioritization of messages and member touchpoints to best optimize campaigns.
• Assists in the creation and placement of ads on our social forums and monitors Google Ad Grant program.

Writing, Web & Multi-Media Communications

• Assists with overall website gatekeeping for quality assurance.
• Writes and edits communications materials such as statements, newsletters, communications toolkits, presentations, fact sheets, articles, papers, policy briefs, brochures, and other materials for public dissemination.
• Develops strategies for, and manages, AAA social networking initiatives. Monitors trends in the use of social media tools and applications and implements a social media strategy that communicates the association’s products and services to internal and external audiences. Identifies opportunities and writes text for social media messaging.
• Manages the association’s eNewsletter. Creates content and provides communications advice and guidance for both internal and external contributors.

Other

• Serves as gatekeeper for outgoing emails to maintain quality assurance. 
• Contributes to and participates in broader AAA-wide projects and/or committees as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education :  Undergraduate degree (BA or BS) in communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing. 

Experience :  At least 3 – 5 years of experience in a communications or marketing capacity, preferably for a non-profit or membership-based association.  Experience with media relations is a must. Proficiency with content management systems and email marketing platforms (e.g. Salesforce Marketing Cloud) is preferred. Familiarity with creating content for social media is also highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities :  Strategic thinker and planner in the fields of communications and marketing. Keen attention to detail as well as demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Exceptional oral and written communications skills with capability of drafting concise, compelling text. Graphic design experience for flyers, logos, adverts, web banners, etc. a plus.

 Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Flexible and able to routinely juggle multiple competing priorities and work in teams of both support and senior staff to meet project goals.