Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do. We are seeking an Vice President, Marketing and Communications to join our leadership team.

Position Details

The Vice President serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in informing strategic decisions affecting Merakey. This position is responsible for all communications and marketing. The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build Merakey’s visibility, impact, and financial resources.

The Vice President, Communications and Marketing has primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure, policies and processes to promote effective internal and external marketing and communications to engage employees and enhance the employment experience. This role is responsible for managing all marketing and communications activities as well as building external relationships with the organization's constituencies, including funders and the media.

The Vice President is responsible for the development of Merakey’s marketing and communication strategies. The VP will develop a best-in-class communications and marketing plans for Merakey, directly managing marketing, communications and branding activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organization's brand reputation and awareness. The VP is responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of Merakey and its leadership. This individual serves as ambassador for the organization and will build relationships with the media and other stakeholders in support of Merakey’s strategic initiatives. The goal is to advance the organization's position with relevant constituents, as well as to drive broader awareness of the organization. The VP is responsible for Merakey’s varied and integrated communications products and services including: newsletters and other print and digital publications; Web, E-news and other online communications; media and public relations; branding, presentations and marketing. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing and communications strategies aligned with Merakey’s mission, strategic priorities, and organizational goals.
• Lead enterprise-wide internal and external communications efforts designed to strengthen employee engagement, brand awareness, and organizational reputation.
• Develop and implement strategies to broaden awareness of Merakey, its services, leadership, and impact among key stakeholder audiences.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor and partner to senior leadership.
• Serve as a spokesperson and lead point of contact for media interactions that promote or impact the organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, community partners, funders, key influencers, and other external stakeholders.
• Identify and prioritize media, marketing, public relations, and communications opportunities.
• Prepare executive communications, including talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting materials.
• Oversee Merakey’s print and digital communications, including websites, social media, publications, annual reports, marketing collateral, and electronic communications.
• Lead branding and public relations initiatives that enhance and protect Merakey’s reputation.
• Oversee day-to-day Marketing and Communications operations, including budgeting, planning, vendor relationships, and staff development.
• Use data and trends to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support senior leadership decision-making.
• Lead, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing Marketing and Communications team.
• Partner across functions and with other senior leaders to ensure alignment, collaboration, and successful execution of enterprise initiatives. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Strategic or Organizational Management, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior management role within an in-house organization, consulting environment, or agency.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory or managerial experience.
• Demonstrated leadership of a comprehensive marketing, communications, media relations, and branding function.
• Extensive experience developing external communications across print and digital channels.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with senior-level stakeholders and positioning organizational subject matter with the media.
• Strong writing, editing, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Experience building, mentoring, and coaching teams of communications and marketing professionals.
• Proven ability to translate strategic thinking into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to influence and engage senior leaders, peers, direct reports, and indirect stakeholders.
• Executive presence and the ability to establish credibility with senior leadership and Boards of Directors.
• Ability to operate effectively at both the strategic and tactical level.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Passion for Merakey’s mission.