Vice President of Advancement & Marketing

Summary

Reporting to the CEO/President, the VP of Advancement & Marketing is responsible for developing and executing a clearly defined marketing and communications strategy consistent with the mission and strategic goals of the organization that raises awareness of the Chautauqua experience, working with the Advancement Team to boost annual visitation and sales, strengthens constituencies, enhances brand equity and awareness, and increases financial contributions. This individual develops strategy and tactics to create interest, demand, and recognition of Lakeside with consistent advertising and public relations, as well as traditional, digital, social media, and expanded efforts in marketing and communications.

Salary range: $70,000 to $90,000 Commensurate with experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (To include other duties that may be assigned.)

Overall Leadership

 Overall Leadership

·         Provides executive leadership to Lakeside Chautauqua’s relationships with its various external stakeholders, knitting together the work of its advancement and marketing efforts, approach to philanthropy, key strategic stakeholders.

·         Creates and executes the resource/budget plan for the Advancement & Marketing Department.

·         Oversee and provide leadership to staff of Marketing and Advancement. 

·         Interacts closely with the Lakeside Chautauqua Board of Directors; Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Board of Directors and The Memorial Garden at Chautauqua Park Board of Directors: presents at meetings and serves on several Board committees including the Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Governance Committee.  

·         Plays a lead role in Board stewardship and development.

Philanthropy/Generosity

·         Working closely with the President, Lakeside Chautauqua Board of Directors and Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Board of Directors managing and soliciting a portfolio of important individual and institutional donor relationships; articulate and promote the organizations vision and case for support to potential donors and partners with the goal of expanding support. 

·         Working closely with the Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Board of Directors, and the Lakeside Fund volunteer team, develops and coordinates a cohesive annual giving effort to increase annual gifts through advertising, publications, and events related to the Lakeside Fund.

·         Working closely with the Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Board of Directors and the Endowment for Life Initiative volunteer team, President/CEO, develops and coordinators major giving and legacy giving efforts.

·         Inform the President on his major gifts portfolio, making sure important background research is complete and that strategic asks are clear, all with the goal of achieving fundraising goals that support an aggressive strategic growth initiative.

·         Identify, coordinate, and solicit Corporation, Foundation and Agency grants to support the Chautauqua Program and institution.

Strategic Partnerships

·         Oversee the identification and implementation of key external strategic partnerships, with an emphasis on building mission relationships on core new programs, including a targeted outreach to key local and regional stakeholders. 

Marketing

·         Manage the Marketing & Communications team

·         Develop, implement, and evaluate short and long-term integrated marketing and communications plans that support the mission, advance the brand identity, align strategic marketing goals, raise awareness of the Chautauqua experience, boost annual visitation revenue and ticket sales, grow visibility to internal and external stakeholders and increase financial contributions

·         Identify, interpret, and capitalize on market research to better understand target audiences and build relationships with new, existing, and local markets, 21st century guest expectations, industry standards, philanthropic best practices, digital marketing trends, evolving technologies, enhancing multicultural and diversity outreach, shifts in the economy and consumer travel trends; recommend and implement tactical plans

·         Responsible for implementing the editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all marketing and communications, including branding, public relations, advertisements, press releases, Lakesider newspaper, newsletters, brochures, radio spots, billboards, displays, website, social media platforms, e-newsletters, and other marketing collateral

·         Ensure all marketing communications across various channels and departments support the mission, equally represent the four pillars of Chautauqua, adhere to the brand standards, remain consistent and align with strategic marketing goals, and support the Association’s and Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation’s strategic and tactical plans.

·         Develop a comprehensive media plan and provide concept input on all magazine, billboards, radio, newspaper, social media, and online advertisements; work with designers to convey message and finalize artwork; send to various publications in a timely manner

·         Develop digital communications strategies, including social media, e-newsletters, advertisements, etc.

·         Develop strategic vision for local, regional, and national marketing outreach.

·         Maintain an understanding of the philanthropic sector; to develop and edit effective communications to donors, including appeals, newsletters, newspaper articles, e-newsletters, social media posts and direct mailing campaigns

·         Analyze and evaluate analytics, surveys, and competitor activity by developing benchmark criteria to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing tactics

·         Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance brand identity, broaden awareness of programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of programs across key stakeholder audiences

·         Identify, develop, and implement a strategic communications plan to build relationships with new, existing, and local markets

·         Research, develop and direct Lakeside website and app content to increase new users and engagement; incorporate chat system into communications strategy; evaluate Google Analytics; manage Chautauqua Trail website; maintain and troubleshoot both websites; serve as contact for domain name and SSL certificate renewals; search engine optimization; update website as needed  

·         Generate and organize content, collect pictures, and edit annual Calendar of Events Brochure; coordinate production/distribution with designers and printer

·         Strategize and develop public relations program and message; set goals for efforts; work with the Marketing & Communications staff to implement

·         Develop crisis communications and media strategies

·         Adapt to new technology and emerging trends; attend webinars, training sessions, and professional development to stay up-to-date

·         Self-starter disposition with strong project management skills; ability to work collaboratively with all departments, donors, board members, volunteers, interns and administration

·         Thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities; availability to be flexible and work outside the normal schedule, including early morning meetings, evening editing sessions, special weekends and holidays

·         Participate and report at all Lakeside Chautauqua Board of Directors meetings as invited by the President/CEO

Qualifications: 

Education/ Experience

o    Education: bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred

o    Extensive working knowledge of advancement, marketing, advertising, and public relations best practices, especially used in non-profit organizations

Language Skills

·         Exceptional writing and copy-editing skills, as well as ability to adopt the style, tone, and voice of the organization’s leadership, particularly the voice of the CEO, as well as excellent organization skills and ability to handle multiple priorities with exceptional attention to detail

Technology:

·         Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook, as well as Adobe Creative Suite InDesign

·         Proficient and comfortable using instant messaging, including but not limited to Teams, Zoom, Skype, etc.

·         Digital experience leveraging emerging trends/technology, crafting effective digital strategies, managing, and engaging online experience; knowledge of managing non-personal social media networks and digital marketing campaigns, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Flickr, Constant Contact, etc.

Mathematical Skills:

·         Ability to calculate figures, trends, and percentages to reconcile business statements

·         A commitment to Lakeside Chautauqua’s mission and vision and a broader understanding of the Chautauqua movement.

Organizational Skills:

·         A track record of successfully managing complex programs and projects, with an emphasis on philanthropy, communications/branding, marketing/sales and strategic partnerships. 

·         Evidence of sound decision-making through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.

·         Ability to work with sensitive information.

·         Strong project management skills.

·         Ability to think strategically, anticipates future consequence and trends, and incorporate them into organizational plans.

·         Ability to motivate and create teams of people comprised of paid staff, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.

·         Strong, professional ethics, integrity, and accountability in all actions.

·         Non-profit experience with demonstrated results a plus.