Director of Marketing & Communications

The Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Kentucky Science and Technology Center seeks a Director of Marketing & Communications to own the development of a comprehensive marketing, branding and communications strategy for KSTC and its programs.

The Director will lead a cross-program operating model and collaborate with program leaders to implement a unified marketing plan that increases statewide and national visibility for innovation-based economic development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive marketing and communications roles.
• Experience managing the marketing and communications of a small to medium sized organization; innovative non-profit experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support direct staff and internal customer demands.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills; ability to influence across diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to translate and communicate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategies across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written, oral and digital communications skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, own and execute an end-to-end integrated marketing, branding and communications model and strategy across KSTC and its programs.
• Serve as the organization’s chief brand architect and steward, ensuring a consistent identity across KSTC and programs.
• Maintain brand standards, editorial standards, and digital asset library; oversee website, social media and email marketing.
• Oversee external communications: media relations, public affairs, executive communications, crisis communications.
• Develop high-impact, scalable communications that position innovation-based economic development as a Kentucky priority.
• Establish and maintain strong internal communications practices across programs; foster engagement.
• Build, lead and mentor a marketing team; manage external vendors and contractors.
• Implement data-driven marketing practices with clear metrics and dashboards.
• Oversee departmental budget and staffing to align with strategy.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Collaboration

Stakeholder influence

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Communications/Public Relations or related field

Job description

POSITION

The Kentucky Science and Technology Center is seeking a Director of Marketing & Communications. The Director of Marketing and Communications owns the development of a comprehensive marketing, branding and communications strategy for KSTC and all of its programs.

KSTC operates a diverse portfolio of programs which operate semi-autonomously with regard to marketing and communications. Working with the program leaders, the Director will develop and lead the implementation of a marketing and communications operating model and strategy encompassing KSTC and all its programs, balancing and fusing program-level marketing needs with the KSTC-level plan. The strategy should advance KSTC's mission, strategy and statewide/national visibility, expanding the audience's understanding around innovation-based economic development and KSTC's leadership in that space.

The Director will serve as a member of the executive leadership team and manage a team, operating at both a strategic and operational level. A key aspect of the role will be to develop and facilitate consistent, organization-wide messaging, branding and communications while recognizing the unique nature of the programs and their audiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Brand Stewardship

• Develop, own and execute an end-to-end integrated marketing, branding and communications model and strategy and in collaboration with program leadership; develop a clear, robust operating model for implementation of program-level marketing activities utilizing various staffing approaches and with clear cost and schedule targets.
• Serve as the organization’s chief brand architect and steward, ensuring a consistent and clear identity and impact across and between KSTC and its programs and initiatives with respect to both internal and external audiences.
• Maintain brand standards, editorial standards, style guide and digital asset library across KSTC. Oversee digital presence, including website, social media and email marketing.

Communications & External Affairs

• Oversee and guide all external communications, including media relations, public affairs, executive communications, and crisis communications.
• Develop high-impact, scalable communications that position innovation / tech-based economic development as a critical component to Kentucky's economy and KSTC as a leader in the space, combining creative, qualitative storytelling with data-driven quantitative reporting, delivered through various mediums and channels.

Organizational Communications

• Establish and maintain strong internal communications practices that reinforce cross-program success, collaboration, organizational storytelling, organizational alignment, culture, and transparency to foster engagement and culture. Execute in partnership with peer leaders.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing marketing and communications team which includes direct reports as well as functional reports inside KSTC programs.
• Develop and manage a roster of external MarComm vendors, agencies, and contractors.
• Implement data-driven marketing practices, establishing clear metrics and performance dashboards to measure audience reach, engagement, and impact.
• Oversee departmental budget, planning, and resource allocation. Develop a cost management process that allows leadership to forecast and allowing proper staffing of the MarComm team.

Executive Leadership Team Responsibilities

• Serve as an active member of KSTC's executive leadership team, contributing to enterprise-wide strategy, decision-making, and organizational direction, including organizational positioning, stakeholder engagement, and growth strategy.
• Support the development of organizational reporting, including Board of Directors materials.
• Model and reinforce a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive marketing and communications roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing the marketing and communications of a small to medium sized organization; experience with an innovative, entrepreneurial non-profit preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support direct staff and internal customer demands.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to translate and communicate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategies across multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong written, oral and digital communications skills preferred.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Clear communicator in verbal and written communication.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization.
• Results-oriented and driven to achieve organizational goals.

COMPENSATION

In the spirit of pay transparency, we can share that the pay range for this position is $85,000-95,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Please keep in mind that this range is the base pay only and does not consider other components that make up the total rewards package for the position. If you are hired, your overall compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience which may result in total compensation outside of this range.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

KSTC is an innovative organization looking to change the way businesses manage human resources and payroll administration. At KSTC, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. We strive to create an environment that is welcoming, entrepreneurial, inclusive, and rewarding. But first, here's a little more information about what we do.

BENEFIT PROGRAM

• Featured benefits for full-time team members include:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Pet insurance and pet discount program
• 401(k) plan
• Generous paid time off policy
• Generous holiday schedule

Equal Opportunity Employment

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the organizations comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which it has operations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and compensation.