Marketing Director

The Marketing Director assumes both the strategic and tactical responsibilities for leading the Marketing & Communications for Ashé Cultural Arts Center.  The Marketing Director is responsible for the overall communications, messaging, and outreach for the organization, focused on Ashé CAC’s brand perception and positioning, working in close coordination with the Chief Executive and Equity Officer.  In this role, the Marketing Director will interface with the City of New Orleans Media/Press leaders, Ashé’s leadership team, Board of Directors, local and national media outlets, consultants, contractors, and service providers. The Marketing Director reports directly to the CEO.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Perception and Positioning 

• Develop and implement an integrated, organization-wide strategic communications plan to broaden awareness of Ashé’s brand identity across key stakeholder audiences, locally, regionally, and nationally 

• Create a brand/marketing/public relations strategy that will allow Ashé leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, multi-level external audiences, including the media, public officials, community partners, stakeholders and key influencers 

• Lead in the development, execution, and positioning of communications messages; manage imaging; ensure consistency of external messages 

• Oversee the drafting of correspondence, talking points, press releases and media messages to meet public relations and communications needs of Ashé and at the request of Ashé’s CEO, Efforts of Grace Chairman of the Board, and leadership team members 

• Strategically position Ashé as subject-matter experts in cultural arts, cultural economy, community development, equitable development, and cultural and equity strategies as part of further branding the organization within New Orleans, the national, and international cultural arts and development community 

• Serve as Ashé’s primary spokesperson for media inquiries 

• Manage strategic planning for media relations efforts 

• Approve media releases produced by partners, agencies and contractors 

• Support/conduct program, product, department and initiative messaging 

• Manage communications staff  

• Select and supervise external media consultants 

• Proactively seek media attention and raise awareness among media outlets 

  Other Responsibilities 

• Manage an organization-wide marketing and communications calendar  

• Establish and disseminate policies, procedures and guidelines for Ashé’s marketing and communications activities. 

• Manage the dynamic prioritization process of Ashé’s marketing and communications initiatives  

• Ensure quality, accuracy and completeness of writing, editing, messaging, graphic integrity and production of materials 

• Authorize, evaluate and monitor the use of the Ashé logo, name, photography, quotes, attributions, etc. 

• In conjunction with legal, authorizes the rights for external bodies to use Ashé’s intellectual and brand-related property 

• Ensure Ashé’s brand integrity 

• Support Ashé’s participation in industry conferences and other events to ensure maximum exposure and benefits 

• Set goals and monitor work and evaluate results to ensure that the departmental goals and objectives are met and are in line with the needs and mission of Ashé

• Prepare reports on marketing and communications activities, campaign performance, website analytics, and contributions to business development; present to leadership team as required 

• Develop and maintain departmental budget 

• Other duties as assigned by the CEO 

Qualifications and Job Requirements: 

• At least five years of experience in public/media relations, marketing and communications   

• Experience in messaging for community development organizations, cultural arts and/or public policy is a plus 

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university is preferred, but not required; creative discipline also preferred  

• Considerable knowledge of marketing and communications principles, practices and techniques including experience with new media and digital advertising 

• Extensive “hands on” execution experience writing copy, producing videos/slideshows, and managing branded identities across multiple platforms is a plus 

• Proven effectiveness in digital marketing and social media strategies, designs marketing plans that fully leverage new technologies 

• Existing relationship with PR firms and media outlets at the local, regional and national levels a plus 

• Strategic thinker who excels at developing ideas and is able to execute 

• Track record in proactively identifying communications opportunities and developing supporting programs 

• Excellent project management and reporting experience; strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines; ability to manage competing interests and strong personalities 

• Works comfortably in highly collaborative environment; team-oriented with ability to lead teams and gain consensus 

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)  

• Ability to excel in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and able to take a positive team approach to working with industry, government, and other partners; ability to set and enforce priorities and deadlines 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel, Internet Explorer, PowerPoint and other graphics and/or presentation software; knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, CRM systems and other specialized software is a plus 

• Self-starter and takes initiative, with strong judgment and an understanding of when to escalate issues and to whom 

• Ability to gain working knowledge of Ashé initiatives, programs, policies, procedures and practices 

• Motivated by challenges and opportunities with limited resources and budgets in a nonprofit environment 

• Professional demeanor at all times; ability to act as a public representative of Ashé  

Attributes: 

• Vision  

• Interpersonal skills 

• Sense of Humor 

• Assiduousness

• Team building ability 

• Presentation skills 

• Comfort with complexity 

• Ability to adapt and thrive in an accelerative environment 

• High ethical standards and commitment to fairness and equity 

Working Conditions: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual may be required to travel within the New Orleans area and United States; international travel is not required. 

Physical & Mental Demands: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to speak and hear 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus 

• Read and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) 

• Ability to maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time 

• Ability to analyze and interpret data 

• Ability to effectively communicate with seniors, peers and juniors with equal respect

NOTE: 

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Application Process: 

To apply for this position, send the following documents via email to alecia@ashenola.org 

• Resumé 

• Cover Letter 

In your email, please note “ASHÉ MARKETING DIRECTOR” in the subject line.