Director of Marketing And Development

Uptown Columbus, Inc.; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Uptown Columbus, Inc. seeks a dynamic Marketing & Development Director to lead marketing, communications, brand development, sponsorship, fundraising, and revenue development for Uptown Columbus.

You will partner with the President & CEO, Board, local businesses, and community partners to tell the Uptown story and advance strategic priorities. The role focuses on building integrated campaigns, elevating the Uptown brand as the Heartbeat of the City, expanding visitation, sponsorship revenue, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years in marketing, communications, development, tourism, or nonprofit management.
• Proven success developing campaigns and partnerships.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing social media and digital marketing platforms.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead marketing and development strategies to increase awareness, visitation, partnerships, and revenue.
• Develop integrated campaigns and protect the Uptown brand and messaging.
• Cultivate media relations, press materials, and promotional opportunities.
• Identify and secure sponsorships, grants, and donor opportunities; manage a development pipeline.
• Coordinate events and cross-promotional opportunities with partners and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with partners to promote Uptown as a regional destination and economic driver.
• Prepare reports and updates for the President & CEO and Board.

Skills

Strong written communication

Presentation skills

Project management

Digital marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Digital marketing tools

CRM systems

Job description

The Marketing & Development Director is responsible for leading the marketing, communications, brand development, sponsorship, fundraising, and revenue-development efforts of Uptown Columbus, Inc. The position plays a key role in promoting Uptown as a premier destination to Live. Work. Play. and Shop!

This position is responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing and development strategies that increase awareness, visitation, engagement, partnerships, sponsorship revenue, private support, and economic activity throughout Uptown.

The Director works closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, businesses, community partners, tourism organizations, event partners, sponsors, media, and other stakeholders to tell the Uptown story and advance the organization's strategic priorities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Marketing & Brand Strategy

• Develop and execute Uptown's annual marketing and communications strategy.
• Maintain and strengthen the Uptown brand and its position as the Heartbeat of the City .
• Promote Uptown as a destination for residents, visitors, businesses, families, and tourists.
• Develop campaigns that promote Uptown's restaurants, retail, businesses, events, entertainment, recreation, RiverWalk, attractions, and public spaces.
• Coordinate seasonal and special-event marketing campaigns.
• Develop strategies to increase visitation, length of stay, repeat visitation, and local spending.
• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all Uptown platforms and materials.

2. Public Relations & Media

• Develop positive media relationships and proactively promote Uptown initiatives, events, businesses, projects, and success stories.
• Prepare press releases, media advisories, talking points, feature stories, and other communications.
• Coordinate media interviews and promotional opportunities with the President & CEO and appropriate staff.
• Identify opportunities to position Uptown in local, regional, and national media.
• Help manage the organization's public messaging and reputation.

3. Sponsorship & Development

• Develop and implement an annual sponsorship and development strategy.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate, foundation, individual, and community partners.
• Develop sponsorship packages and proposals for Uptown programs, events, marketing initiatives, and special projects.
• Maintain a comprehensive sponsorship/development pipeline.
• Track prospects, commitments, renewals, deliverables, and revenue.
• Build long-term relationships with sponsors and donors.
• Identify new sources of unrestricted and project-specific revenue.
• Assist the President & CEO and Board with major donor and corporate-development opportunities.
• Coordinate sponsor recognition and fulfillment to ensure commitments are delivered.
• Identify grant opportunities that align with Uptown's strategic priorities.
• Coordinate grant research, applications, supporting materials, and reporting.
• Develop funding proposals for capital projects, placemaking, public spaces, events, tourism, transportation, safety, and other initiatives.
• Maintain a calendar of grant opportunities, deadlines, awards, and reporting requirements.
• Work with the President & CEO and appropriate staff to develop measurable outcomes for funded projects.

5. Events & Promotions

• Support the marketing and revenue strategy for Uptown events and programs.
• Develop promotional campaigns designed to increase attendance and economic impact.
• Coordinate event sponsorship opportunities and sponsor activation.
• Work with event partners, businesses, tourism organizations, and community groups to maximize cross-promotion.
• Evaluate event marketing performance and recommend improvements.
• Help identify opportunities to create new events, programs, and experiences that generate visitation and revenue.

6. Tourism & Economic Vitality

• Promote Uptown as a regional destination and tourism asset.
• Work with Visit Columbus, Columbus Chamber, City partners, hotels, attractions, restaurants, retailers, and other stakeholders to increase visitation.
• Develop collaborative marketing opportunities that encourage visitors to explore Uptown, stay longer, and spend locally.
• Support major tourism opportunities, including sporting events, festivals, conventions, and regional events.
• Help communicate Uptown's economic impact and value to the community.

7. Business & Community Partnerships

• Develop strong relationships with Uptown businesses, property owners, community organizations, tourism partners, educational institutions, and civic organizations.
• Create opportunities for Uptown businesses to participate in marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative promotions and cross-marketing.
• Serve as a resource and connector for businesses looking to promote their Uptown presence.
• Help strengthen the overall Uptown experience for businesses, residents, and visitors.

8. Board & Organizational Support

• Prepare regular marketing and development reports for the President & CEO and Board of Directors.
• Provide measurable updates on marketing performance, sponsorships, fundraising, media exposure, digital engagement, and campaign results.
• Assist with development of annual goals, budgets, work plans, and performance measures.
• Participate in Board, committee, staff, and community meetings as requested.
• Represent Uptown professionally at community events and partner meetings.

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Marketing & Development Director will be evaluated based on measurable outcomes, including:

Marketing

• Growth in digital reach and engagement
• Website traffic and email engagement
• Media coverage and earned media value
• Growth in Uptown visitation and engagement where measurable

Development

• Annual sponsorship revenue
• New sponsors and donor prospects
• Corporate and foundation support
• Grant applications and awards

  Partnerships

  • Number and quality of business/community partnerships
  • Tourism and regional promotional partnerships
  • Sponsor and partner satisfaction

  Events

  • Sponsorship revenue
  • Marketing reach
  • Economic/visitor impact where measurable
  • Successful sponsor activation and fulfillment

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, business, nonprofit management, development, tourism, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, development, fundraising, tourism, economic development, nonprofit management, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated success developing marketing campaigns and partnerships.
  • Demonstrated ability to generate sponsorship or development revenue.
  • Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
  • Experience managing social media and digital marketing platforms.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities.
  • Ability to build relationships with businesses, sponsors, donors, community leaders, media, and public partners.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common digital marketing tools.

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in destination marketing, downtown development, tourism, events, or community development.
  • Experience securing corporate sponsorships and grants.
  • Experience working with boards, civic organizations, municipalities, or public-private partnerships.
  • Knowledge of the Columbus, Georgia region and its business, tourism, arts, recreation, and community landscape.