Director, Marketing & Communication Services

Smithbucklin; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

In-office days Mon Tue Thu

Job summary

Smithbucklin in Chicago is seeking a Director, Marketing & Communications to lead data-driven marketing, strategy and audience growth for client organizations. You will translate priorities into integrated campaigns, manage budgets and guide a cross-functional team.

The role emphasizes brand visibility, digital experience, thought leadership, and partnerships, with hybrid work and a 40-hour week. Travel 3-5 times annually is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in marketing or related field.
• 15+ years total relevant professional experience in marketing environment.
• Experience with digital marketing strategy, marketing technology, media relations, analytics, audience segmentation and evolving channels.
• Proficient in budgeting and financial management.
• Strong people and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate organizational priorities into integrated marketing, communications, brand and audience-growth strategies.
• Lead strategies to grow, engage and retain members and expand participation in programs and events.
• Advance brand, reputation and industry influence through thought leadership and external visibility.
• Provide strategic leadership for the website and owned communications channels.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure a cohesive client experience and brand.
• Use insights and performance data to improve personalization and marketing investment.
• Develop and manage client marketing budgets and reporting.
• Lead and mentor team members, guiding workload and skill development.

Skills

Digital marketing

Marketing technology

Analytics

Audience segmentation

Budget management

People management

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM platforms

Marketing automation

Web CMS

Analytics tools

Job description

Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Director, Marketing & Communications to join our team in our Chicago office.

The Director, Marketing & Communications, is a senior leader responsible for using data, marketing technology and marketing strategy to identify and drive opportunities for client growth. Working as part of a client leadership team, this individual will translate organizational priorities, audience insights and performance data into focused growth strategies and measurable action plans. The role will have particular emphasis on increasing brand awareness, membership, member engagement, participation in programs and events, revenue and organizational reach.

The individual will be directly engaged in advancing client priorities; including identifying opportunities, shaping strategy, mobilizing cross-functional resources, monitoring results and adjusting approaches based on performance. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with deep marketing strategy experience and a demonstrated ability to turn insight into action and measurable growth.

At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.

What You Will Do:

• Partner with executive director and client leadership team to translate the organization's strategic priorities into integrated marketing, communications, brand and audience-growth strategies.
• Lead strategies to grow, engage and retain members and expand participation in programs, events, products and other revenue-generating opportunities.
• Advance the organization's brand, reputation and industry influence through thought leadership, media relations, content strategy, strategic partnerships and other external visibility initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership for the organization's website, digital experience and owned communications channels, ensuring they support members’ needs, organizational priorities and future growth.
• Partner across membership, education, technology, conferences, regions, committees and other stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and consistent client experience and brand.
• Use audience insights, segmentation, marketing technology and performance data to strengthen personalization, improve conversion and inform marketing investment.
• Develop and manage client marketing budgets, including tracking and reporting.
• Manage and provide day-to-day direction to team members, ensuring clear priorities, appropriate workload allocation, quality of work and alignment with client objectives.
• Support the professional development and growth of team members through coaching, regular feedback, performance guidance and identification of opportunities to build skills and take on increased responsibility.

This Role Might Be for You If You…

• Thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment and is energized by achieving results through partnership, shared accountability and the collective contributions of others.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to influence, align and work across teams to advance goals, recognizing that success in this role depends on collaboration rather than individual contribution alone.
• Excel in a fast-paced environment with the ability to shift gears quickly and manage expectations and priorities proactively.
• Gain professional satisfaction being accountable for work from inception through completion by providing strategic direction and advising on tactical approaches.
• Have the ability to travel 3-5 times a year.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 15+ years total relevant professional experience in marketing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with digital marketing strategy, marketing technology, media relations, analytics, audience segmentation and evolving marketing channels and platforms.
• Proficient in budgeting and financial management.
• Strong people management and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA/BS with a concentration in strategic/integrated communications, marketing, or business.
• Experience working in a collaborative environment (agency or professional services firm experience is a plus.
• Experience with marketing automation and CRM platforms, analytics, digital advertising, and web/content management systems, with the ability to use marketing technology and performance data to inform strategy and improve results.

Where Do You Fit?

Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.

Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.

Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $125,000-$140,000.

At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.

Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.