Director of Marketing & Communications (WAMU)

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Time Type:

Job Type:

FLSA Status:

Summary:

WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

The Director of Marketing and Communications serves in a key support role to the Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Engagement, assisting in the development and execution of all consumer marketing and communications activities for WAMU. The Director will oversee all external and internal-facing communications and collateral, including media relations. This role will also initiate and implement marketing and advertising campaigns exclusive to WAMU and in partnership with outside entities, as well as develop key messaging by audience segment optimized for distribution across on-air, digital, social, and print platforms.

The Director will work in close collaboration with the larger Advancement team to ensure proper branding and messaging is consistent across all platforms and channels. This position will coordinate and collaborate with the Content and Underwriting Teams to build marketing for WAMU original content and events strategy. This position will collaborate with American University UCM in response to media inquiries.

This is a revenue generating position with an annual goal.

Essential Functions:

1.) Consumer Marketing and Branding Development

• Consumer marketing and branding development to raise the station’s regional and national profile, communicating our value proposition in our original and syndicated programming, and building top-of-funnel awareness for fundraising conversion.

• Develop key messaging using audience segmentation.

• Develop and implement targeted marketing campaigns to support station goals and events singularly and in partnership with third parties.

• Oversee all marketing collateral and presentation development.

• Collaborate with Annual Giving colleagues to ensure a unified journey from acquisition to conversion.

• Assist Annual Giving colleagues in design collateral for fundraising campaigns and promotion.

• Identify and execute ad buys.

• Assist and collaborate on marketing of nationally syndicated programs to major markets as required.

• Ensure consistent and accurate articulation of WAMU’s desired message, brand, and position both internally and externally, resulting in deeper listener engagement and diverse audience growth.

2.) Communications Strategy and Development

• Develop effective external and internal communications strategies that support various functions and goals of the station and leverage on-air, digital, social, electronic, direct mail and print distribution channels to stakeholders in the community, at WAMU, and within the larger American University community.

• Oversee all copywriting and editing across channels for marketing purposes.

• Identify creative storytelling approaches to share WAMU’s value including newsletters, annual report, and other channels to be identified.

• Manage media relations in collaboration with WAMU leadership and UCM.

3.) Market Research

• Perform research and analysis on all marketing and communications programs and benchmarks station’s performance against industry standards.

• Work closely with key internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities to grow audience in the DMV and promote WAMU intellectual property.

4.) Budget Management

• Assist in building and managing department budget in terms of revenue and expenses as they relate to marketing and communications programs.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Manage staff in the development and execution of marketing and partnerships including part-time Sr. Graphic Designer and Advancement and Marketing Writer.

Competencies:

• Collaborative Leadership.

• Displaying Creativity.

• Prioritizing and Organizing.

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.

• Supporting Coworkers.

• Managing Performance.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.

• 35 hours per week.

Salary Range:

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 5 - 8 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent.

• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

Travel Required:

• Occasional travel outside the region.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.