Communications Strategist

You are a member of an award-winning communications team. Using your experience, skills, and creativity, you develop and implement content strategies across traditional and digital media. You create engaging, informative digital media content; develop targeted email marketing; and pitch stories to the media. You are part journalist and part communications you help tell our story. You embrace and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and respect for your coworkers and customers. Whether working directly with customers or behind the scenes, our remarkable team is committed to education that aids in the dismantling of unjust systems and creating a more equitable and just society for all people. As such, we work to ensure that this mission achieves our racial and social equity goals in all that we do. We are seeking a highly motivated Communications Strategist to join our team. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. We offer a highly collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package , including 14 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team? Who You Are: You engage well with others and love getting to know those around you You are passionate about delivering extraordinary customer experience You are a problem solver, a quick study You are a team player and anticipate the needs of others You are energetic and inspire fun You are comfortable behind the scenes A dynamic job you will love: ESSENTIAL DUTIES The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent the exhaustive list Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job. CONTENT CREATION & COORDINATION Strategizes and implements marketing messages across a wide variety of platforms. Collaborates with the Director of Communications and External Affairs, Communications department colleagues, and other internal stakeholders to conceive, plan, and execute consumer-facing communications campaigns. Develops and manages cross platform content plans for web pages, blog, media releases, social media, targeted email marketing, and/or other content as deemed necessary. Coordinates and executes editorial calendars to ensure consistency in marketing messages and to support the Library's priorities and strategic plan. Keeps current on Library services, programs, events, and initiatives to be able to create relevant and timely content to increase awareness and participation. Collaborates with Library staff and partner organizations to leverage, develop, and track opportunities to promote HCLS and its resources and initiatives internally and externally. Ensures all content complies with equity, diversity, and inclusion best practices. Generates highly creative copy and images that engage, inform, and motivate. Measures and reports on the performance of all digital marketing campaigns and assesses against goals (KRAs and KPIs). Creates monthly reports, analyzes data, and shares insights with Communications team and other departments/branches. Assists in the development of promotional strategies and concepts. Liases with Friends & Foundation of HCLS communications committee as needed Performs administrative, special projects, and other duties as needed. SOCIAL MEDIA Manages HCLS presence on social media, including development of content strategy, scheduling, audience analysis, analysis of paid social media campaigns, and tracking of monthly paid and organic posts. Uses data to maintain, boost, or adjust content to meet Library's strategic goals. Adjusts strategy and planning documents as needed when environmental factors change. Promotes and ensures consistency of the HCLS brand and provides a friendly, professional, and consistent voice. Monitors and responds to customer feedback. Serves as an advocate for HCLS in social media spaces, engaging in dialogues and answering questions where appropriate. Liases with social media ambassadors by providing content direction, training, and feedback. Identifies potential negative or crisis situations, mitigates issues, and alerts supervisor to potential significant crises with recommended courses of action Creates and posts content in real time during major Library events. Develops and enforces social media guidelines as defined by the brand. TARGETED DIGITAL MARKETING Creates and deploys email marketing campaigns, including weekly newsletters, to targeted recipient lists. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to identify featured content for segmented emails to targeted audiences. Reviews and sends targeted email marketing messages. Designs, creates and manages targeted promotions and ad campaigns that support the Library's priorities and strategic plan. Works with graphic designer and multimedia producer to produce creative multimedia ads; implements media buys and develops reports on campaign effectiveness. Works with Director of Communications and External Affairs and media partners to execute external buys such as paid search, social, and email campaigns Creates successful messaging campaigns with compelling copy and graphics to reach targeted audiences. Work alongside Director of Communications and External Affairs to manage and reconcile third-party media budgets MEDIA RELATIONS Develops and maintains good relationships with, and pitches stories to, local media outlets, local government, and other influencers. Responds to media inquiries. Creates and maintains tip sheet and media release calendar. We are guided by these shared responsibilities: Contribute to achieving HCLS' racial and social equity goals. Please view the Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative. Effectively live the Seven Pillars of HCLS' strategic plan (Authentic Values, Strategic Vocabulary, Everyone a Leader, Winning Teamwork, Community Partnerships, The Power of Us, and Fiercely Loyal Customers), motivating others to do so as well Advance HCLS' educational mission, effectively communicating our curriculum, which comprises Three Pillars (Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, Instructive & Enlightening Experiences) Requirements Do you have what it takes? MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field - or related experience Two to four years of experience developing digital marketing plans and email campaigns with successful measurements and analytics Knowledge of latest trends and best practices in social media and digital communications Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage several tasks simultaneously. Excellent critical and creative thinking skills. Ability to interact and collaborate with colleagues from all levels of the organization. Experience with email marketing platforms Fluent in Meta Business Suite Experience using AdWords Tag Manager Experience with Google Analytics a plus Working knowledge of Microsoft Office required, Canva and Adobe CS a plus Some experience with video production, editing, scripting writing/supervision, and uploading a plus Successful candidate will also possess the following: Strong analytical skills and a collaborative personality Ability to troubleshoot quickly and efficiently Strong organizational and time management skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to adapt to changes of direction Your job at the library will be active: Job requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, pulling, pushing and driving. In addition, strenuous activity may be required for such activities as setting up equipment or meeting rooms for events Some driving may be required Additional Details Position currently located at HCLS Administrative Branch Works under the supervision of the Director of Communications and Partnerships Full-time: 37.5 hours per week; typically Monday - Friday between 8 am & 5 pm; evenings and weekends required for HCLS signature events Grade 9: Salary: $46,356 - $81,286 annually Position closes Friday, December 6, 2024 EEOC Statement Howard County's diversity is its greatest asset. Howard County Library System embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. All communities, including communities of color and immigrant communities, are fundamental to our spirit of service, workforce and long-term success. Equity and empowerment are top priorities. We believe all Howard County residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. Among our goals is for our workforce to reflect the community it serves. We are actively working to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Howard County Library System takes pride in providing equal employment opportunities.

Created: 2024-11-13