JOB SUMMARY: The Marketing Specialist, reporting to the Marketing Manager, is responsible for the development and tactical implementation of marketing plans for the SOA. He/she will plan, develop and create effective, high-quality marketing communications and collateral to increase awareness, engagement and conversion of key target audiences critical to the success of the assigned initiatives and programs. He/she will work in cross-functional teams and be hands-on in executing projects and tactics on a wide variety of SOA programs, products and services.

We are currently working remotely but plan to move to a hybrid work schedule in December. We are also planning to open a satellite office in Chicago in first quarter of 2022.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Recommend, develop and implement multi-faceted marketing plans to promote assigned products and services with targeted campaigns to meet and exceed budgeted goals, objectives and KPIs. This includes, but is not limited to, professional development/education activities, virtual and live events and sponsored events to individuals and organizations.
• Meet with internal stakeholders to gather details and understand program/event/product promotional needs; formulate effective marketing and promotional plans, track registrations and update marketing tactics as needed. This includes creating schedules and coordinating workflow to ensure smooth implementation and timely completion of projects.
• Provide content and creative direction for the development and ongoing maintenance of effective and engaging marketing collateral for digital, email, web and occasional print. This includes copy development, editing, proofreading, web publishing via Episerver/Optimizely, and partnering with the Communications team to ensure that marketing materials and properties stay on-message and are error-free.
• Develop, build and deploy emails, multi-step email marketing campaigns and automated journeys that incorporate segmentation as part of the promotional execution of marketing plans via the Marketing Automation System.
• Communicate and present project status to stakeholders and management and prepare regular strategic campaign effectiveness reporting with recommended improvements, enhancements and testing strategies for future campaigns.
• Conduct market scanning and secondary research to gather and analyze key market and competitor information, and source for contacts to extend marketing reach in relevant industries.
• Coordinate marketing-related communications and activities with external organizations partnering on collaborative projects.
• Staff the SOA booth at various professional development events to promote member engagement, relations and products and services.
• Demonstrate excellent project management skills to simultaneously handle multiple projects at varying stages of development in order to meet deadlines.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Monitor updates on various writing style issues and questions.
• Edit documents or web copy as needed.
• Request reports and analytics as needed.
• Other duties as required or requested.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or a related field.
• Requires a minimum of (5) five years direct experience in program/product/event marketing or marketing communications, preferably in a professional association or non-profit organization.
• Experience in formulating and implementing product marketing plans, including launching new products and driving response.
• Experience working with international markets is a plus.
• Familiarity with different marketing tactics and tools, including direct marketing, social media and digital experience. Experience with Eloqua marketing automation platform and Episerver/Optimizely web content management is a plus.
• Strong understanding of market segmentation and achievements in building response rates and other desired measurements across channels.
  • Requires strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint and strong working knowledge of AP Style.
  • Ability to travel a minimum of 5-10%.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES including competencies that may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

• Sound analytical skills to track results of tactics and campaigns, provide analysis and make appropriate recommendations.
• Forward-thinking and innovative in recommending new marketing approaches and strategies.
• Excellent relationship skills to serve and function effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary and multi-talented team.
• Ability to anticipate project needs and potential roadblocks, and proactively propose resourceful solutions to mitigate them.
• Exhibit strong initiative and the ability and willingness to understand and support strategic and operational initiatives of the SOA.
• Organizational abilities and attention to detail are critical traits.
• Experience working with technical subject matter experts to develop communication materials is preferred.