Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications

POSITION TITLE: Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications JOB CLASSIFICATION: Full Time, Exempt REPORTS TO: Vice President, Marketing and Communications SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No LOCATION: Westerville, Ohio (Headquarters Office) TRAVEL: 30% within Ohio Position Summary The Special Olympics Ohio (SOOH) Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications will report directly to the Vice President, Marketing and Communications. This position will help lead the planning and execution of integrated marketing and communications strategies that increase awareness, strengthen statewide engagement, and promote the mission, programs, athletes, and events of Special Olympics Ohio. The Senior Manager will serve as a hands-on leader across storytelling, digital marketing, social media, media relations, brand management, website content, internal communications, and performance measurement. The role will work collaboratively across departments and regions to translate organizational priorities into clear, compelling, and measurable communications. Essential Job Functions (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.) Partner with the Vice President to develop and implement annual marketing and communications strategies, campaigns, calendars, goals, and performance measures. Strategic Communications & Marketing Support development and execution of statewide marketing and communications initiatives. Manage annual communications calendars aligned with organizational priorities and major events. Develop integrated campaigns that increase awareness, engagement, participation, volunteerism, and support. Partner with departments across the organization to identify strategic communication opportunities. Ensure messaging consistency across all channels and audiences. Storytelling & Content Strategy Lead development and management of a statewide storytelling program. Identify and capture compelling athlete, volunteer, coach, family, donor, and partner stories. Create / Develop content for digital, print, email, video, social media, and earned media channels. Manage editorial planning and content calendars. Maintain and grow a library of mission-focused content assets. Digital Marketing & Social Media Oversee day-to-day management of social media platforms and digital campaigns. Develop and execute content strategies that increase engagement and audience growth. Support website content management and optimization. Monitor digital performance and recommend improvements based on analytics. Identify emerging digital trends and opportunities for audience growth. Media Relations & Public Relations Build and maintain relationships with media outlets across Ohio. Develop media pitches, press releases, talking points, and media kits. Coordinate earned media opportunities surrounding major events, campaigns, and athlete stories. Track and report on media coverage and public relations outcomes. Support spokesperson preparation and media interview coordination. Brand Management Ensure compliance with organizational brand standards and guidelines. Develop communication toolkits, templates, and messaging resources. Provide consultation and communications support to regional teams and community based programs. Assist in maintaining a consistent voice and visual identity across channels. Internal Communications Support internal communication initiatives that enhance alignment and engagement. Develop content for staff, volunteers, board members, and organizational stakeholders. Assist with communication planning for organizational announcements and initiatives. Contribute to efforts that improve communication flow across departments and regions. Analytics & Performance Measurement Monitor and analyze marketing and communications performance metrics. Prepare regular performance reports and dashboards. Track media coverage, website performance, social engagement, email effectiveness, and campaign outcomes. Use data and audience insights to inform future communications strategies. Required Qualifications, Experience & Skills Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, graphic design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, digital marketing, or a related field; nonprofit or mission-driven experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to translate organizational goals into integrated communications plans, campaigns, timelines, and measurable outcomes. Exceptional writing, editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt content for different audiences and channels. Experience managing social media platforms, digital content, email marketing, website content, and communications calendars. Working knowledge of media relations, including pitching, press material development, interview coordination, and coverage tracking. Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and maintain exceptional attention to detail. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and experience with content creation, design, publishing, analytics, and project-management tools; Canva and Adobe experience preferred. Experience with photography, videography, short-form video, or creative vendor management preferred. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at varying levels of seniority. High energy and passion for the Special Olympics mission, inclusion, and athlete-centered storytelling. Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and receptive communication skills. Must be willing to travel independently to support periodic events throughout the state. Must be comfortable behind a camera for photography and videography initiatives. Position is full-time, exempt. Days/hours of work: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend work is required as position demands and may at times be extensive. Independent in-state travel is required, including independent overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of the position. Required to maintain and provide proof of a valid, current state driver’s license and automobile property and casualty insurance at all times. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr