Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

Position Summary: The Senior Director of Marketing & Communications serves as an integral member of the Development Department's senior management team. Responsible for maintaining and elevating The Salvation Army's visibility as a nonprofit leader in providing a vast array of programs and services to people in need across Michigan's Great Lakes Division, which encompasses all of Michigan with the exception of the Western Upper Peninsula (Marquette, Ishpeming, Escanaba).

The Senior Director of Marketing & Communications will work alongside The Salvation Army's existing public relations agency and internal marketing & communications team to develop and implement a strategic, integrated communications and marketing plan to drive broader awareness and increased donor support for the organization and its leadership among its various internal and external audiences.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual integrated marketing & communications plan that sets and guides the strategy and messaging for all public relations, marketing, advertising, and social media initiatives to consistently articulate and further The Salvation Army's mission.
• Consistently review national Salvation Army integrated marketing & communications plans and materials to ensure national/local messaging consistency and to implement those elements that best benefit metro Detroit and the Great Lakes Division.
• Identify challenges and emerging issues impacting the not-for-profit industry, in general, and The Salvation Army, specifically, and work with leadership and board and committee members to address opportunities and challenges and the solutions to strategically address them.
• Oversee all tactics detailed in the marketing & communications plan, including:
  
  
  
  • Messaging for all Salvation Army campaigns and initiatives.
  • Print collateral including, but not limited to, content development and design of newsletters, brochures, annual reports, news releases and other media materials, promotional flyers, etc.
  • Website and other electronic communications to ensure consistent messaging and timely posting of new and updated information such as event announcements, client testimonials, etc.
  • Media relations efforts - both proactive and reactive - as well as help strategize media responses in crisis situations.
  • Broadcast, digital and/or print advertising creative and placement, as well as video production.
  • Appropriate budgets for integrated marketing & communications initiatives.
  
  
  
  
• Provide strategic direction to the Director of Integrated Marketing by providing expert guidance on the development, execution, and optimization of key marketing initiatives. This includes creating and managing comprehensive campaigns across direct mail, email marketing digital marketing, e-commerce, and social media channels. Leverage data-driven insights to enhance decision-making and ensure alignment with organizational goals, while overseeing data processing activities to improve campaign efficiency and performance. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive innovative marketing strategies, maximize donor/volunteer engagement, and contribute to the overall success of the integrated marketing framework.
• Track and measure the effectiveness of integrated communications efforts, providing recommendations for program adjustments, as necessary. Manage the Divisional Events Coordinator to enhance existing and create new public events to raise money and awareness.
• Manage the Divisional Volunteer & Christmas Coordinator to recruit volunteers and maximize Christmas income.
• Work with the Director of Corporate Relations on brainstorming corporate partnership benefits and developing partnership proposals and support of public events.
• Provide content and direction to the Manager of Creative Services in developing print and electronic collateral materials and websites.
• Work with The Salvation Army's existing public relations agency in determining initiatives and tasks according to scope of work and budget agreements.
• Oversee and facilitate promotional requests/collaborations from the national and territorial Salvation Army offices and The Salvation Army ARC, as well as those from corps community centers throughout metro Detroit and the Great Lakes
• Participate, as requested, in board and committee meetings and facilitate initiatives arising from these meetings, as assigned.
• Process requests from other development supervisors, which include but are not limited to the Senior Director of Development, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Directors of Gift and Estate Planning, and Donor Relations Directors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Supervises the Director of Integrated Marketing & Mail who manages a direct mail, email marketing, and social media team.
• Oversees another five direct reports who handle many functions including, but not limited to, graphic design, video production, brand management, public relations, volunteer recruitment and management, annual Christmas/Red Kettle fundraising campaign, web content, event planning, writing, storytelling, advertising & media buys.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or related field is required, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• 10+ years of experience with a proven track record of progressively increasing responsibility.
• Experience in managing a team and developing and implementing strategic marketing & communication plans is also highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic, integrated marketing & communications programs to advance an organization's mission and goals.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages and disseminate it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels.
• Successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media.
• Creative, thoughtful, and capable of working within the ever-changing social media landscape understanding best practices in utilizing new media technologies.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
• Working knowledge of TEAMS and SharePoint
• Proficient in Social Media Platforms
• Understanding of Graphic Design Tools
• Data Analytics Tools
• AI Marketing Tools
• Email Marketing Platforms (Knowledge with Classy is preferred)
• Understanding of Video Editing Software
• Customer Relationship Management Tools (Knowledge with Salesforce is preferred)
• Presentation Software
• Willingness to learn new software as needed

Certificates and Licenses:

• Complete Safe From Harm training, and keep current as needed
• Must have and maintain a current valid chauffeurs driver's license and pass the Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). (Candidates will have 30 days to acquire a chauffeurs driver's license after hire date).
• Additional certification(s) (ie. PRSA Accreditation) or an advanced degree a plus.