Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Reports to: President and is a member of the Foundation’s Leadership Team

This position will work closely with the President, CEO and senior management and is responsible for effectively articulating and leveraging the Foundation’s overall mission, vision and values, positioning it as a visionary leader in fostering innovation through incentivized competition and achieving its revenue goals.

As a member of the Leadership Team this position will be responsible for:

  • Working with the President and the other leadership team members to identify and develop strategic alliances, raise financing, communicate with BoT members, and close/grow major partnerships.
  • Defining the appropriate marketing organization for the Foundation’s maturity/size.
  • Communicating regularly with prize and departmental leads to build and drive overall marketing and communications strategies and activities.
  • Providing expert counsel to senior leadership on communication policy, media relations, and marketing and branding issues.
  • Acting as a role model for peers and the Foundation’s junior staff.

As the leader of the Marketing & Communications department, this executive will be responsible for crafting and refining strategy and then ensuring successful execution of goals.

Strategic

  • Develop and drive a comprehensive integrated external and internal marketing and communications plan in concert with the strategic goals and objectives of the Foundation and its active prizes, prizes in development, fundraising and partnership initiatives.
  • Define and direct marketing programs for demand creation, lead generation and sales follow-up in concert with VP’s of Alliances and of Sponsorships.
  • Build appropriate marketing and communications structure that provides coordination and efficiency of marketing and messaging across all departments while providing for flexibility within departments to execute specified marketing and communications functions in all “traditional” (TV, radio, print) and Web 2.0/social media.
  • Develop strategic media/press initiatives and drive them across our Public, Sponsor, Donor, Team, Government and Industry constituencies.
  • Work with top tier press and media (including social media) to ensure Foundation is well positioned.
  • Ensure that communication throughout the organization is reviewed and aligned from a strategic perspective while incorporating industry-wide best practices.

Execution

  • Work with President and leadership team to develop critical marketing and branding plans and materials including Foundation brand book, partner co-branding system and guidelines, style guide, brand films and companion print and web materials.
  • Ensure execution of marketing and communication plans through effective leadership of the Foundation’s Marketing & Communications department
  • Oversee marketing management of active prizes including market research for prizes and consulting services requirements, interface with Sponsorships, Prize Development and Prize Operations for development, “product” pricing and operating prize lifecycle management.
  • Review, revise, construct and establish marketing and communications policies, protocols and procedures and best practices for the organization and ensure compliance.
  • Develop Foundation Marketing & Communications budget, planning strategies and allocation of resources in coordination with active prizes, prizes in development and departments (Sponsorship, Alliances, Creative Services).
  • Develop and track metrics and success criteria for all marketing programs and activities.
  • Leverage external advertising, branding, marketing and PR firms and partner marketing, PR and media resources in alignment with our brand values and strategic goals.
  • Organize and manage appropriate issues management and communications efforts as necessary to ensure quick, effective, and positive response in the event of crisis situations.

Qualifications

  • Proven leadership ability
  • 17+ years marketing & communication experience; 7 years in a senior management role with an established track record in marketing, communications, public relations, media relations and/or reputation.
  • Strong analytical skills in sales, marketing, and business (competitive) strategy.
  • Experienced in exploiting all traditional and Web 2.0/social media
  • Creative thinker.
  • Strong presentation and superb writing skills with the ability to write and speak to a wide range of target audiences.
  • Deep understanding of the technology/innovation/philanthropy markets
  • Demonstrated ability to manage often-outsourced marketing activities (PR, corporate identity system, website, etc.)
  • Experience in choosing, deploying, and using marketing and sales software applications.
  • Highly networked with coveted press and media contacts.
  • Strong project management and organization skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a results-driven, team-oriented environment.
  • Ability to inspire internal teams and rally support for traditional and non-traditional media solutions by developing methodologies and metrics to demonstrate success.
  • Ability to understand and efficiently leverage the dynamics of a relatively small organization.
  • Strong negotiating and influencing skills.
  • M.B.A. desired.
  • Strong MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel skills.

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact us at resumes@patchassociates.com.