Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa hiring Director of Marketing and Communications in Waterloo-Cedar Falls Area | LinkedIn (2024)

Overview of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA):

We lead by developing meaningful connections with people and organizations who love where they live. Through our dedication to community collaboration, we gain both a broad understanding of the needs of our community and the means to address them. We strive for excellence in our stewardship of the financial resources entrusted to us, our engagement of volunteers and donors, and our grantmaking that supports nonprofit organizations.

We are proud to have a dynamic staff team who foster trusted relationships with one another. We believe we do our best work together and strive to create a culture where belonging is emphasized, and employees are valued for their unique contributions.

We are firm in our commitment to racial equity and have been a leader in our community in advancing equity work. We strive for continual innovation in our work to maximize the impact made within the communities we serve.

Job Purpose:

The Director of Marketing and Communications works directly with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to strengthen and improve the quality of life across CFNEIA’s 20-county region through the effective development of marketing and communications strategies. This position is responsible for implementing marketing and communications plans that build and sustain brand awareness of the Community Foundation and for providing marketing and communications solutions that align with the organization’s mission and strategic plan goals. Additionally, as a leader on the Impact Team, this position is responsible for full engagement in the implementation of our impact model in which asset development, grantmaking, and nonprofit relations are integrated to maximize impact to the community.

The position plays a role in strengthening the Community Foundation’s presence throughout the region as aneffectivefunder and community leader.The person in this position must demonstrate professional and personal commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and must be able to work in a team environment to ensure organizational goals are attained.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy, Leadership, and Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to develop marketing plans and strategies to support the goals of the Community Foundation and increase brand awareness.
• Provide leadership in implementation of marketing and communication plans through effective project management and organization-wide collaboration to ensure deadlines are met and projects meet strategic objectives and quality standards.
• Participate with Impact Team colleagues to identify opportunities for strengthening and enriching stakeholders’ experience with the Foundation, including fundholders, donors, professional advisors, nonprofits, and volunteers.

Content Management and Creation

• Plan, coordinate, and produce powerful content, from inception to completion, that inspires and engages Community Foundation audiences across multiple media platforms, including blog posts, articles, social media posts, newsletters, website content, and video scripts, that align with the organization’s tone of voice.
• Manage and maintain content calendars to ensure a steady flow of content.
• Create visual content, such as graphics, print materials, social media imagery, photography, and video, that align with the organization’s brand.

Affiliate Foundations Strategy and Implementation

• Lead strategic marketing and communications efforts to increase Affiliate Community Foundation awareness and growth, and work with CFNEIA Impact Team and Affiliate Volunteer Impact Committees to create affiliate specific marketing and communications plans.
• Plan and develop affiliate marketing/communications materials to promote local foundation impact and promote important programs, such as grant cycles, trainings, and events.
• Manage media relationships to generate coverage across the Community Foundation’s affiliate region, including, identifying and pitching story ideas to local media, serving as the primary contact for media inquiries and arranging for requested interviews, and developing and distributing media releases.

Digital Media Management

• Develop and implement a digital strategy that includes social media, website, and email marketing to engage core stakeholders and community members.
• Manage organic and paid content across all platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, and others as determined necessary.
• Identify, analyze, and measure trends and content to assess how well it’s performing and optimize user experience
• Prepare reports and analytics on the overall performance of various marketing campaigns, including KPIs.
• Assist in maintaining website.

Programs and Funds Communication

• Collaboration with Women for Good program lead to create, manage, and implement communications plan for CFNEIA Women for Good program.
• Work with Teen Trust program lead to create, manage, and implement communications plan for CFNEIA Teen Trust program.
• Develop print and digital collateral for new funds established with the Community Foundation.

Responsibility Level:

The Director of Marketing and Communications reports directly to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. The Director is expected to be a strategic and creative partner, to specialize as a marketing/communications expert on staff, and to be a leader in maintaining and expanding the brand of the Community Foundation. The Director will work effectively and collaboratively with staff, fundholders, nonprofits, volunteers, and the community at large. Director may supervise 1-2 staff and/or interns.

Skills/Qualifications/Personal Characteristics:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience, degree in marketing, graphic design, advertising, public relations or English preferred.
• 5+ years experience preferred in a marketing communications role.
• Expansive knowledge of digital marketing practices including website, social media, and email marketing platforms and SEO.
• Superior writing, proofreading, and editing skills.
• Creative, conceptual thinker with a keen eye for detail
• Experience using project management software to create timelines and track progress
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud suite of products
• Solid portfolio, including written, print, and digital samples.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.
• Solid communication and presentation skills
• Photography and video production experience is favorable.
• Proven ability to partner/collaborate with key stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel required (valid driver’s license required)
• Work style characterized by self-motivation, initiative, and integrity.
• Flexibility within a changing and sometimes stressful environment
• Commitment and ability to work both independently and as part of small office team.
• Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and values and demonstrated respect for its constituents.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Travel

• Up to 25% travel is expected for this position.