Marketing Communications Specialist

Under the direction of the director of marketing, events and communications, this role serves as a central figure to Poynter’s ambitious marketing strategy. This role assumes accountability for the strategic planning, orchestration and realization of the Poynter Institute’s world-renowned training brands within the marketing team. This marketing professional will be a skilled marketer and writer across mediums, and will have the ability to promote and drive enrollment for local teaching events held at Poynter. They will tell Poynter’s story with a goal of reaching a broader audience, and promote our teaching programs on our website, social media platforms, email communications, newsletters and more, sharing the transformational impact of Poynter teaching and will support the impactful programs and events Poynter produces. This pivotal role guarantees that each communication exemplifies and elevates the Poynter Institute’s dedication to advancing quality journalism.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communication Planning and Execution: In partnership with brand managers, develop and execute omni-channel communication plans designed to meet program objectives including enrollment targets, open rates, and brand awareness. This position will develop new marketing strategies to support both in-person and virtual trainings offered by Poynter, and will share goals for enrollment requirements.
• Excellent writing and editing skills: Regularly produce written materials including newsletters, targeted emails, press releases, social media posts, website stories and promotional content designed to increase Poynter brand awareness and achieve program goals.
• This role demands an individual with substantial expertise in digital marketing, web and campaign strategy. In this position, you will plan and optimize a digital approach, work with the engagement and digital teams to execute, and, monitor performance, and communicate results with the organization.
• Overall audience engagement: As a critical part of this role, this marketing leader will cater to the needs of the journalists and future leaders enrolled in our trainings. Beyond course enrollments, they will provide support and oversight to all communications and activities associated with this core group, including partnership with the donor teams, events, and repeat communications designed to foster brand loyalty and advocacy.
• Event support: In-person training activities are instrumental to the success of Poynter teaching. This person will support pre-, during-, and post-event communications required to ensure a successful brand experience. This also includes necessary on-site event management, signage, swag, and other marketing needs required.
• Teaching brand leadership: This position will formalize and execute brand-related recommendations for the teaching team. This will include on-site branding opportunities, as well as guidelines for teaching courses including templates and hashtags.
• This position will ensure that assignments are completed in a timely manner and are carried out in accordance with the Poynter brand vision and 3-5 year goals.
• Utilization of content management systems for online publishing. Active execution in WordPress. Regular utilization of customer relationship management systems and marketing automation tools. Experience in Salesforce and MailChimp. General office software suites.
• Leadership with marketing and promotions, integrated marketing, strategic communications and public relations principles and practices.
• Develop and execute email marketing campaigns, with a strong understanding of email marketing principles, strategy and practices. Report on results, making and implementing proposals to improve key performance metrics.
• Strong planning, organization and time management skills to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines. Expectation to manage work through Asana as a Product Owner. Product Owner training will be provided if required.
• Metrics are critical to success, and it is required that this person manage several systems to report on metrics throughout given programs. This also includes gathering metrics specific to grant requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, enrollment goals, Google analytics, Mailchimp, SFDC, and CVENT.

Weekly activities include:

• Build teaching product pages
• Write, schedule and send email campaigns
• Write and deliver the Weekly Training Digest Newsletter
• Recruitment management through outreach and communications with subject matter experts
• Curating existing pages and content (making changes to programs in real time, redirects, front page displays, etc.)
• Onsite promotional needs for teaching programs
• Other duties as assigned

RELATIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:

This role reports to the Director of Marketing, Events and Communications and works closely with leaders throughout Poynter, including senior leadership. Externally, this position works with media and corporate partners, vendors, carriers and others outside the institute, including the general public. There’s considerable need for tact and cooperative spirit.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related fields is required or substituted with equivalent experience. An appreciation for Poynter’s mission of strengthening journalism is essential. Past experience in journalism is an advantage for this position, but not a requirement.

• Excellent writing and editing skills, spelling and grammar, with knowledge of AP style strongly preferred.
• At least three years of experience in email marketing, with a strong understanding of email marketing principles, strategy and practices.
• At least three years of experience with marketing, events, and promotions, integrated marketing, strategic communications and/or public relations principles and practices. Work in education, non-profit, philanthropic or media fields is a plus.
• Strong planning, organization and time management skills to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently to carry out complex assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across units and groups within the Institute.
• Knowledge of content management systems for online publishing. Experience in WordPress a plus.
• Knowledge of customer relationship management systems and marketing automation tools. Experience in Salesforce, CVENT, and MailChimp is a nice to have.
• Understanding of Google Analytics, Facebook and LinkedIn analytics for assessing impact of campaigns.
• Strong skills in general office software (Google suite or Microsoft suite) and a solid digital publishing acumen.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Most of the time, general office environment and computer work. We prefer this employee is based in Tampa Bay, and the expectation is to work in the St. Petersburg office 2-3 days a week. Occasional travel outside the office to conferences and event locations locally and in other cities nationally and internationally. Requires periodic support work at Poynter events which could include lifting of 25 pounds and extended periods walking or standing. Occasional night and weekend work in support of events is required. Routine deadlines, disruptive work schedule and unpredictable events.

Salary range: $58,000 to $65,000 (commensurate with experience)

EOE No phone calls, please. Position is in St. Petersburg, FL, with two days a week required in office.

Send cover letter and resume via email to: marketingjob25@poynter.org

Poynter, a nonpartisan, non-profit 501(c)(3), is a leading brand in training journalists through professional development programs at news organizations and colleges online and in person. Poynter is a leader in training newsroom leaders and media executives in leadership, ethics, storytelling, diversity and inclusion, business models and digital transformation. Clients include television, radio, magazines, newspaper and news websites, college students and professors, and those in the corporate and non-profit sectors.

Full-time staffers enjoy a competitive benefits package and the added bonus of a paid two-week winter break at the end of each calendar year in addition to PTO allotment. Poynter values diversity and encourages folks from all backgrounds to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $58,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Saint Petersburg, FL 33710: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person