Director, Marketing Communications

POSITION: Director, Marketing Communications
LOCATION: Washington, DC
CONTACT: Julie Perez, Human Resources Manager
BACKGROUND
OPEN: July 23, 2010 CLOSED: Until filled
SALARY: Commensurate with experience

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas: assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families.

Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org.

JOB DESCRIPTION
NCLR is seeking a Director of Marketing Communications based in its Washington, DC headquarters. This position is housed in the Strategic Communications Group (SCG) department and reports to the Deputy Vice President of SCG. The Director is responsible for developing and executing innovative integrated marketing communications strategies that enhance the visibility of NCLR through events while providing a platform for sharing NCLR’s story.

The Director of Marketing Communications will work closely with SCG peers, including the Senior Director of Events and Production and the Directors of Graphics and Publications, Quality Control, and Sponsorships. In addition, the Director of Marketing Communications is responsible for building strong relationships with the NCLR executive leadership team as well as the policy and program component leaders to ensure maximum impact for outreach and coordinated efforts to promote and position NCLR events. The Director must be sensitive to critical and political relationships that can enhance the impact and value of NCLR events, focus on NCLR’s priorities and key messages, ensure that the most value is gained by thinking strategically about audience and NCLR presence, and understand the value of NCLR’s brand. The Director must be an innovative thinker motivated by productivity and efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop an integrated and effective marketing communications plan for each NCLR event.
  
  
• Cultivate, develop, and/or strengthen critical community and political relationships that lead to new marketing/promotion opportunities; take advantage of business/partnership opportunities; engage key NCLR constituencies; and add value and impact to NCLR events through these and other activities.
  
• Develop key messages for NCLR events which communicate the value and opportunities of participating in NCLR’s events and engaging with NCLR.
  
  
• Promote attendance to those audiences who will derive the most value from and offer the greatest impact for having attended/participated; develop promotion and outreach campaigns that reach existing and new constituencies/audiences.
  
• Coordinate with NCLR’s Office of Media Relations to enhance media strategies related to communications support of NCLR events; leverage exposure and promotion of events through relevant press opportunities.
  
  
• Collaborate with the Sponsorships team to identify and activate marketing opportunities through sponsor relations; identify new sponsor opportunities that enhance the NCLR brand; support marketing/promotion efforts; and generate revenue.
  
  • Provide a marketing perspective on all creative aspects related to visual elements of NCLR events, including NCLR branding, video modules, print (program book, invitations, etc.), venue décor, signage, collateral (premiums, etc.), and website in collaboration with SCG’s Graphics and Publications team, Quality Control team, Events and Meetings team, and Sponsorships team.
  
• Secure and ensure NCLR’s reputation as a community leader and responsible partner at the location of each NCLR event; deliver the highest level of customer service to all internal and external customers.
  
• Ensure that all aspects of marketing, communications, and community relations are addressed by the Marketing Communications team pre-event, onsite, and post-event.
  
  
• Provide event analysis and statistical reports (pre- and post-) of the marketing communications plan, promotion campaigns, and related efforts; report results; identify new opportunities, challenges, and trends.
  
  
• Maintain a solid, comprehensive understanding of NCLR and the U.S. Hispanic media, culture, community, consumer, market insights, and market trends.

Team Leadership and Management

• In conjunction with the Deputy Vice President, lead and motivate the Marketing Communications team to effectively implement the strategic plan through marketing, promoting, and building community relationships around NCLR events.
  
  
• Supervise a team of professional staff and consultants.
  
  
• Collaborate with various SCG teams and NCLR’s Office of Media Relations to maximize and leverage opportunities with media partnerships and develop messaging that communicates, supports, and enhances the NCLR value proposition.
  
  
• Ensure accurate documentation of media trade relationships and full utilization of resources and opportunities available through media partnerships.
  
  
• Participate in and contribute to overall SCG component management via the Deputy Vice President and Directors including providing input on budget process, human resource responsibilities, and enforcing the organization’s policies.
  
  
• Cultivate a positive working relationship with vendors and work with NCLR’s Office of Finance to ensure accurate and timely payment to vendors.
  
  
• On occasion, represent NCLR, SCG, and/or SCG’s Deputy Vice President at events, meetings, and other functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A. or B.S. minimum, with at least four to six years of demonstrated success in marketing and communications and at least two years in a managerial position.
  
  
• Proven results in developing and implementing an innovative, successful marketing/outreach plan with an array of activities that add value, impact, and visibility, and engage various and appropriate key audiences.
  
  
• Excellent communication skills resulting in cultivating high-impact relationships with community leaders, elected and appointed officials, key NCLR constituencies, and other influentials.
  
  
• Demonstrated success in managing, developing, and coaching a high-performance Marketing Communications team.
  
  
• Highly analytic with the ability to integrate the activities of the various and related functional areas for seamless and streamlined execution and communications.
  
  
• High ethical standards; possessing maturity, tact, and polished diplomatic skills.
  
  
• Team player, self-motivated, and able to work independently while maintaining ties to the team through communication and coordination.
  
  
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work as part of a team and to lead groups of peers, including monitoring work plan progress and keeping projects on track.
  
  
• Familiarity with the U.S. Hispanic community, Hispanic nonprofit organizations, and the Hispanic consumer/market.
  
  
• Ability to travel and work a modified/extended-hour schedule during event planning and execution.
  
  
• Demonstrated commitment to the goals and mission of the National Council of La Raza.
  
  
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; both oral and written required.
  
  
• High energy and high degree of initiative, with the ability to function effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
  
  
• Substantial experience in managing staff and budgets preferred.
  
  
• Willingness to carry out a wide range of activities, including professional and logistical tasks.
  
  
• Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) preferred.
  

Please Note: Only those applicants who submit a cover letter along with a résumé will be considered for this opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.

SEND COVER LETTER AND RÉSUMÉ TO:
National Council of La Raza Raul Yzaguirre Building 1126 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Attn: Julie Perez, Human Resources Manager Fax: (202) 776-1775 Email: hrmail@nclr.org No phone calls please.