Senior Manager, Marketing & Communication Services

Smithbucklin; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithbucklin in Chicago seeks a Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications to lead data-driven marketing initiatives across client organizations, translating audience insights into growth strategies and measurable actions.

You will manage campaigns, budgets, and a marketing team, collaborating with client leadership to raise brand awareness, membership and event participation while leveraging marketing tech and AI insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10-12 years total relevant professional experience in marketing to include proven managerial skills.
• Proven track record for designing, leading, implementing and tracking traditional & digital marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Serve as staff for not-for-profit organizations to lead and manage marketing and communications campaigns for multiple client organizations.
• Develop and deliver marketing/communication plans/campaigns to achieve awareness, engagement and membership goals.
• Show how data, digital marketing and AI strategies drive desired business outcomes.
• Oversee campaign creation and production, lead a marketing team, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work.
• Develop and maintain relationships with client leadership and internal teams.
• Manage client marketing budgets, track and report results.
• Direct day-to-day work of junior team members and align priorities with client objectives.

Skills

People management

Project management

Budget management

Digital marketing

Marketing analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree

BA/BS in marketing/communications

Tools

HTML

Marketing automation

Digital advertising 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 Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications to join our team in our Chicago office.

The Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, is a marketing leader responsible for using data, marketing technology and marketing strategy to identify, contribute and advance opportunities for client growth. Working as part of multiple client leadership teams, 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 engaged in supporting the advancement of client priorities, including identifying opportunities, contributing to strategy development, coordinating cross-functional resources, monitoring results and adjusting approaches based on performance. The ideal candidate combines analytical capabilities with broad 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:

• Serve as a staff member for not-for-profit organizations responsible for developing, leading and managing marketing and communications campaigns for three or more client organizations in a fast-paced, multi-client environment.
• Develop and deliver marketing and/or communication plans/campaigns to deliver the desired business outcomes such as awareness building, engagement and/or sale of membership, event registration or programs to members and constituents.
• Ability to speak to how you have used data, digital marketing and AI strategies to reach desired business outcomes.
• Play a hands-on role in creating and overseeing the implementation of campaigns (i.e., information gathering, writing, copyediting and production management) as well as leading a marketing team through the definition of project roles/responsibilities, managing team performance and ensuring a quality product and timely delivery.
• Develop, cultivate and maintain relationships with client leadership (e.g., Board members, key volunteers, internal management team) and other team members.
• Develop and manage client marketing budgets, including tracking and reporting.
• Manage and provide day-to-day direction to junior team members, ensuring clear priorities, appropriate workload allocation, quality of work and alignment with client objectives.

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.
• 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.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10-12 years total relevant professional experience in marketing environment to include proven managerial skills.
• Proven track record for designing, leading, implementing and tracking the performance of traditional and digital marketing and communications campaigns.
• 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) and/or experience working for an AMC or association.
• Proficient in basic HTML, marketing automation and digital advertising applications.

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 $90,000-$115,000.

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.