Director, Marketing & Communication Services

Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Director, Marketing & Communications to join our team in our Washington, D.C. office.

The Director, Marketing & Communications, is a senior leader responsible for using data, marketing technology and marketing strategy to identify and drive opportunities for client growth. Working as part of a client leadership team, this individual will translate organizational priorities, audience insights and performance data into focused growth strategies and measurable action plans. The role will have particular emphasis on increasing brand awareness, membership, member engagement, participation in programs and events, revenue and organizational reach.

The individual will be directly engaged in advancing client priorities; including identifying opportunities, shaping strategy, mobilizing cross-functional resources, monitoring results and adjusting approaches based on performance. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with deep marketing strategy experience and a demonstrated ability to turn insight into action and measurable growth.

At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.

What You Will Do:

• Partner with client executive leadership to understand organizational priorities, growth objectives, market dynamics and performance challenges.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for growth across membership, programs, events, products, partnership other revenue or engagement opportunities.
• Translate organizational goals into defined audience, marketing and growth strategies with clear objectives, measures and expected outcomes.
• Develop and deliver business cases and recommendations that help determine where client resources and investments can have the greatest impact.
• Develop and deliver marketing and/or communication plans/campaigns to deliver the desired business outcomes such as awareness building, engagement and/or sale of membership, event registration or programs to members and constituents.
• Develop and manage client marketing budgets, including tracking and reporting.
• Manage and provide day-to-day direction to junior team members, ensuring clear priorities, appropriate workload allocation, quality of work and alignment with client objectives.
• Support the professional development and growth of junior team members through coaching, regular feedback, performance guidance and identification of opportunities to build skills and take on increased responsibility.

This Role Might Be for You If You…

• Thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment and is energized by achieving results through partnership, shared accountability and the collective contributions of others.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to influence, align and work across teams to advance goals, recognizing that success in this role depends on collaboration rather than individual contribution alone.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with the ability to shift gears quickly and manage expectations and priorities proactively.
• Gain professional satisfaction being accountable for work from inception through completion by providing strategic direction and advising on tactical approaches.
• Have the ability to travel. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 15+ years total relevant professional experience in marketing environment.
• Proven track record for designing, leading, implementing, and tracking the performance of traditional and digital marketing and communications campaigns.
• Proficient in budgeting and financial management.
• Strong people management and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• BA/BS with a concentration in strategic/integrated communications, marketing, or business.
• Experience working in a collaborative environment (agency or professional services firm experience is a plus), and/or experience working for an AMC or association.
• Proficient in HTML, basic coding, marketing automation, and digital advertising applications.

Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.

Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
 
Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $125,000-$140,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.

Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.