Job Opportunities

Job Title: Director of Advocacy and Marketing 

Preferred Location of Work: Columbia, SC

The Director of Advocacy and Marketing will develop external and internal marketing and communication strategies focusing on increasing brand awareness and expanding donor engagement. The Director will also lead a comprehensive advocacy program to drive legislative initiatives within the nonprofit’s footprint across South Carolina.

Essential Duties: Marketing, Advocacy, and Communications

• Creates, implements, and measures results of marketing and communications plans and strategies, including social media.
• Manages creation, production, and distribution of all materials to ensure consistent and effective branding.
• Establishes departmental budget and ensures expenses and return on investment (ROI) targets are met.
• Develops positive community perception through media, public relations, and communications with stakeholders.
• Manages website design and functionality and ensures up-to-date content.
• Provides executive leadership communication and reports.
• Supports community relations initiatives and coordinates research initiatives.
• Directs all media relations programs and public relations initiatives.
• Creates and oversees the Digital Advisory Council/group.
• Creates and provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive advocacy program.
• Develops, implements, and coordinates grassroots advocacy strategy, integrating online and offline engagement.
• Recommends improvements and innovative marketing strategies.
• Builds and strengthens relationships with local, state, and federal legislators, government agencies, neighborhood and business leaders, and key strategic partners.
• Creates issue-specific education pieces and talking points using available research and data, and presents findings in easy-to-understand and digestible formats for multiple audiences.
• Works with member agencies and partners, community organizations, government institutions, and trade organizations to advocate for the passage of appropriate legislation.
• Monitors state/federal legislation, budgetary process, administrative regulations, and government activities and provides leadership on public policy issues related to the organization’s mission.
• Keeps abreast of potential changes in the policy landscape through regular information gathering via reading, research, meetings, events, partner relationships, etc.
• Ensures that all advocacy is carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing lobbying and political involvement; maintains and documents all procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements for the Director of Marketing

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or related field; master’s degree
• Seven+ years of progressive and strategic experience in marketing and communications.
• Supervisory experience is required.
• Superb writing and editing skills with the ability to translate program initiatives and impact into reports for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal, and customer service skills; comfortable with public speaking.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Self-starter, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and creative problem solver.
• Ability to relate effectively and professionally with other staff, volunteers, agency representatives, and the public.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Authorization to work for any employer in the US without current or future sponsorship.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the tasks outlined in this job description.

This position operates primarily in an office setting within the branch. The position requires sitting at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time and involves extensive computer work with frequent interruptions. Vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This position requires monitoring warehouse operations in a warehouse environment internally and externally consisting of hot and cold temperatures. With forklift traffic in the facility and products stacked and stored throughout, this position requires someone who is mobile and who can hear and watch for traffic and normal hazards of a warehouse environment. Occasionally, this role is required to respond to organizational needs outside of normal working hours. The position is highly deadline driven.