Marketing and Communications Manager

Center of Life is seeking an experienced and strategic Marketing & Communications Manager to lead and develop the organization's Marketing & Communications department from the ground up. The Marketing & Communication Manager is a leadership role that will be responsible for successfully elevating awareness, understanding, and local and national visibility for Center of Life, its mission, its projects, and the scope and impact of its programming. The Marketing and Communication Manager will ensure that Center of Life's brand , messaging, digital content, and media relations strategies are consistent with our mission, values, culture, and the inspiring stories that unfold through our work every day. Center of Life is looking for an experienced self-starter and solutions-oriented candidate who will be able to leverage their communications, marketing, and media relations skills and expertise to establish a strong foundation from which to grow our reach.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to; building a deep understanding of Center of Life's work and translating that into a comprehensive brand; integrating brand strategy across all marketing materials; developing a strategic communications and media relations plan to promote COL, its projects, and programming; establishing data-driven approaches to engagement with partners, funders, media, and the communities we serve; developing realistic metrics and goals for increasing engagement with and building visibility among various target audiences (such as student participants, community members, supporters, donors, and alumni); leveraging and enhancing existing resources, content, platforms, and engagement to grow our reach; spearheading fundraising campaigns and annual reports in collaboration with our Development team; identifying new opportunities for Center of Life's work to be featured externally in service of recruiting new participants, donors, and supporters; establishing and maintaining Center of Life's digital presence via our website, social media, and email platforms.

1. Departmental Leadership & Development

• Develop and execute an overall integrated marketing, media relations, and communication strategy for Center of Life, with time-bound and outcome-driven metrics of success
• Develop departmental Standards of Practices and effective review processes; ensure their implementation and oversight
• Lead Center of Life's brand initiative, with support from Senior Leadership, ensuring consistency in design elements, branding guidelines, and aesthetic choices across all communication channels to maintain a cohesive and recognizable brand identity
• Establish a deep understanding of Center of Life staff and programming, meet regularly with Program Managers to assess and support each program's marketing needs
• Recruit, train, supervise, and retain all Marketing staff, including Media/Graphic Design Associate
• Oversee project management for all Marketing & Communication deliverables (i.e. Annual Reports, Special Projects)
• Demonstrate creativity and thoughtfulness in crafting messaging around Center of Life's story and mission, and adapting that storytelling for various formats and audiences
• Support Media/Graphic Design Associate with maintenance of organized and robust library of media content (photos, videos, copy) to be used in communication campaigns and efforts

1. Marketing Expertise & Analysis

• Maintain regular review, analyses, and reporting of data analytics of digital engagement, including SEO considerations; incorporate findings into a broader strategy
• Maintain up-to-date understanding of marketing trends and approaches
• Research trends in new technologies and best practices, attend professional development opportunities to incorporate into M&C strategy
• Learn, use, and manage COL's CRM/Email Creative Suite system to assist fundraising campaigns based on development and fundraising needs

1. Outreach & Partnerships

• Establish working relationships with a diverse list of media contacts, especially local outlets
• Build targeted media list for sharing Center of Life stories; actively and regularly engage in pitching stories to media and manage interviews and follow up to ensure key messages are accurately shared
• Identify opportunities to highlight COL in external publications and events
• Write and distribute press releases and submit events to appropriate local event calendars and outlets
• Learn and use COL's CRM/Email Creative Suite system to help implement fundraising campaigns alongside the Development Department
• Design and write copy for promotional email campaigns

1. General Center of Life Expectations:

• Maintain regular office hours
• Attend COL staff meetings
• Participate as an active member of Center of Life staff
• Adhere to all Center of Life's policies and procedures
• Meet bi-weekly with Immediate Supervisor and any direct reports
• Adhere to the security, accuracy and operability of the daily communication and program reporting needs of COL
• Contribute to the development of a supportive and collaborative work environment

Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in marketing or related field is preferred
• 6-7 years of experience working within a marketing environment, with demonstrated success in engaging various target audiences
• Excellent writing and communication skills; ability to concisely deliver information with accuracy and in various formats
• Demonstrated proficiency in incorporating stylistic design elements and aesthetic choices into marketing and communication materials to enhance visual appeal and effectively convey the organization's message.
• Proficiency in graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to create visually appealing graphics, illustrations, and layouts for various marketing collateral, including posters, brochures, flyers, and digital assets
• Awareness of User Experience design principles to ensure marketing materials and digital assets are user-friendly and visually engaging
• Strong organization, time management skills, and attention to detail
• Adaptability, creativity, and willingness to collaborate and engage proactively with various stakeholders
• Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances, FBI criminal background, PA Mandated Reporter Certificate and
• Commitment to the mission of COL

Salary and Benefits:

• Starting salary is $65,000 a year and is negotiable based on experience.
• Insurance in the forms of medical, dental, and vision
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• COL covers 100% of these premiums for each employee
• Closed for 11 paid holidays throughout the year, plus the week between Christmas & New Year's
• Paid vacation time and sick days
• Parental leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents

Center of Life is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.