An established leader in the Northeast Ohio civic landscape, College Now has changed the lives of students in our region since 1967. We do this by providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services to students from middle school through adulthood with a special focus on supporting those from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. An individual filling this position can expect to have an impact on Northeast Ohio students and families.
When you work for College Now, you are part of an innovative and visionary team, committed to College Now's mission, vision and values as we are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive workplace for team members. Offering superior benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to make an impact on the community, College Now is where careers are made and grown.
POSITION TITLE: Marketing and Communications Manager
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
STANDARD HOURS: 40 hours/week; Occasional evening and weekends
LOCATION: Hybrid, typically 2 days per week remote and 3 days per week in-office in downtown Cleveland
REPORTS TO: Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
SALARY: Starts at $55,000 and may increase based on relevant experience
Position Summary
Manages the development and implementation of the organization’s Advising Programs & Services communications and marketing needs, increasing community awareness and action.
Essential Functions
The Marketing and Communications Manager’s work consists primarily of the following essential functions:
Plan Development And Execution
- Collaborate with Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, marketing/communications colleagues and Advising Programs & Services team to implement innovative marketing and communications strategies to promote College Now’s robust in-school, out-of-school, adult services and community programming to increase the attainment of postsecondary education.
- Manage contractors’ work for Advising Programs & Services marketing projects
Digital Communications And Marketing
- Develop and lead innovative and eye-catching social media strategies for Advising Programs & Services, ultimately leading to increased awareness and enrollment in postsecondary education programs.
- Uncover student success stories to write and videos to produce for College Now’s website, social media, newsletters, fundraising materials, etc.
- Lead creation and dissemination of monthly student and parent newsletter and implement additional strategies to reach students and parents
- Manage photography and videography work, including shooting and editing video and photo content and producing final products
Public Relations
- Pitch appropriate news media on College Now stories of interest; respond to news media inquiries
- Oversee Advising Programs & Services events, ensuring that College Now branding and messaging are appropriately included
- Contribute Advising Programs & Services news and information for internal communications
Program Budgeting
- Track, review and recommend advising program marketing expenditures
- Track and record the budget to ensure expenses are on track/within budget and attend regular budget meetings as necessary
Additional Responsibilities
- Collaborate internally with Advising Programs & Services management team members to ensure seamless delivery of programs and projects
- Attend College Now organizational level managers meetings
Attend and/or organize community events/meetings/fundraisers on behalf of College Now (as needed)
Must Have Skills
- Experience working in a team environment with a collaborative focus.
- Ability to problem solve, troubleshoot complex situations, and manage issues with creative and effective solutions in a professional manner is critical.
- Skilled in active listening with team members as well as internal and external stakeholders.
- Actively able to anticipate both barriers and opportunities to marketing strategy design and implementation.
- Effective written and verbal communication including being highly competent in group presentations and audience management.
- Knowledgeable of high school and higher education landscape.
- Must have the ability to partner with schools, agencies, and other institutes of higher learning.
Must-Have Technical Skills
- Must be a social media expert with experience in professional settings; must be able to connect with high school students and their parents
- Strong writing for various audiences and modalities required; including marketing copy, articles, press releases, web copy, social media
- Experience with creating graphics
- Experience with e-newsletter platforms, e.g. Constant Contact, MailChimp, Emma, MassMailer
- Experience with web content management platforms, e.g. Wordpress
- Proficient in organization-wide suite of tools and resources (Microsoft Office)
- Strong organizational skills and effective time management skills are required
- Professionalism and strong customer service skills required
- Must be an innovative self-starter
Previous Work Experience
Minimum of 4 years prior experience working in communications and marketing. Prior experience working in a nonprofit organization or education is helpful. Familiarity with the communities College Now serves is desirable.
Educational Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution in Marketing, Communications, Journalism or related field.
DISCLAIMER: “
Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.”