Marketing & Communications Director

The Marketing and Communications Director will provide direct supervision to the Writer and Content Creator and work with the Chief Public Engagement Officer to manage the AAR’s brand, marketing initiatives, and communication strategies. The person in this role should have a passion for digital marketing, visual design, and branding. They should be a proactive storyteller and well-versed in content management and curation across digital platforms. Their skills and experience should range from nonprofit leadership and organizational planning to hands-on website management. They will keep abreast of trends and conversations around the academic study of religion. They must be collaborative, strategic, and audience focused, using metrics (or data) to measure and drive success. They will work with the Chief Public Engagement Officer to create, launch, and manage, a comprehensive marketing campaign.

Marketing

• Design and implement innovative campaigns that increase awareness of AAR’s programs, membership benefits, and the overall mission
• Actively manage all AAR websites and multimedia platforms, ensuring alignment with branding, goals, programs and mission
• Uses effective storytelling in the promotion of the brand, the organization, and its mission and goals 
• Provide direct supervision to the Writer and Content Creator 
• Ensure that content is updated, engaging and consistent across all websites and social media channels, managing the design, look, and feel
• Orchestrate content strategies across multiple platforms, from AAR websites to social media channels, email networks, videos, and print materials when needed
• Manages all AAR websites, ensuring content is engaging, current, aligned, and consistent across the various sectors/units
• Regularly generate, curate, and assign content as needed for campaigns, strategic initiatives, and presentations 
• Collaborate with others to develop and implement programs and communications material for targeted audiences that enhance awareness of AAR’s events, publications, services and programs  
• Implement and manage a content calendar that aligns with marketing and programmatic efforts 
• Serves as internal marketing consultant for programs and services 
• Manage the design and production of AAR promotional and collateral materials  
• Manage digital marketing activities through research, strategic planning, and implementation
• Review and analyze data and metrics to report impacts, define strategies and drive decision making
• Recruit and manage freelance writers, graphic artists, photographers, vendors, and related resources
• Manage interns and temporary student workers, where appropriate

Annual Meeting

• Collaborate with others to plan, create and publish marketing content and materials for the Annual Meeting 
• Work the Annual Meeting as assigned to support the successful execution of the event 

Staff Liaison

• Participate in the committee/jury/task force meetings, as assigned
• Ensure that the work of the committee/jury/task force is aligned with the charge of the Board of Directors
• Ensure that committee/jury/task force Chair stays abreast of AAR policies and procedures
• Facilitate communication between committee/juries/task force and AAR staff regarding activities, including requests for action and/or proposed policies
• Maintain important documents relevant to the committee/jury/task force, such as previous committee rosters, minutes, policies and procedures, and other important records.
• Guide the management and usage of AAR budgetary allocations for the committee/jury/task force where applicable
• Guide the timely development and submission of all required reporting, i.e. the annual committee report
• Make regular reports to AAR staff on activities, work, and changes related to committee(s)/jury/task force
• Ensure that new Committee Chairs and members complete proper orientation to their role and responsibilities

General

• Serve as a contributing member of the Management Team of AAR
• Prepare, administer, and monitor area budget and work plan
• Stay abreast of industry trends and work with the leadership team to strategize, develop, implement, evaluate and revise (as necessary) plans to allow the AAR to serve as a leader among learned societies
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and assist with implementing new processes
• Ensure marketing and communications policies and standard operating procedures are aligned with best practices and are in accordance with AAR’s strategic direction and organizational goals
• Coordinate and collaborate with the staff and leadership of other departments as necessary
• Other duties as assigned