Director, Marketing and Communications

Summary:

Responsible for planning, development and implementation of all the Garden's marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities both external and internal. Responsible for the development of marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities to support the Garden's strategic objectives of attendance, revenue and infinity. Directs the efforts of the marketing, communications and public relations staff and coordinates at the strategic and tactical level with other Garden departments. Manages all aspects of marketing and communications plans including monitoring expenditures and evaluating overall effectiveness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• 
  Guide all Garden wide branding and marketing effort, by creating an annual marketing plan and communication strategy that supports the Garden's strategic goals and objectives. The plan will include (but not limited to) all forms of media, creative, advertising, promotions, public relations, social, and website.
  
• 
  Develop the departmental goals, priorities, and strategies to successfully achieve the attendance and revenue goals for the Missouri Botanical Garden.
  
• 
  Ensure that brand identity, messaging, and marketing and communications strategy are infused in all organizational efforts
  
• 
  Lead the marketing team with an emphasis on data analytics to make strategic and data-driven decisions
  
• 
  Direct and successfully implement all aspects of the Garden's digital and print media, including Bulletin, Annual Report, etc., and integrated online properties, and create original mission-based content including editorial, photographic, and digital projects.
  
• 
  Ensure integration of media relations activity into strategic and tactical marketing and communications initiatives
  
• 
  Provide oversight of Garden's media relations activity, and in collaboration with Vice President, Visitor Operations, COO, and President coordinates crisis communication.
  
• Oversees the planning, development, and implementation of Garden branding, marketing, public relations, and communications strategy that includes social media, print and digital content, and email marketing.
• Leads data analytics to make strategic and data-driven decisions on marketing priorities.




• 
  Directs and approves creative services (including design of collateral, books, website, internal communication, signage, etc.).
  
• 
  Ensures timely completion of other publishing, writing, or editing projects, including but not limited to: interpretation, marketing and publicity, special web features, and special print/book projects.
  
• 
  Advises about opportunities to develop new information resources and/or content-based marketing.
  
• Leads and manages committees and task force groups and support the Garden in internal/external communications about the vision and overall strategies of the Garden.




• 
  Collaborates with other divisions within the Garden to develop and implement site-based digital media resources including kiosks, video displays, and installations.
  
• 
  Represents the Garden in the ZMD and throughout the community though participation in local/regional marketing, branding, and advocacy activities such as Explore St. Louis.
  
• 
  Establishes department's budget and properly monitors expenses.
  
• Ensures all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/volunteers of safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.




• 
  Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within the division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, members, donors, and visitors.
  
• 
  Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• 
  Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
  
• 
  Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus
  
• 
  Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
  
• 
  Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
  
• 
  Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.
  
• 
  Leadership: Leadership competency incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations
  

Qualifications:

• 
  Minimum of ten (10+) years relevant and increasingly responsible experience in marketing and communications role, preferably in a similar not-for-profit environment.
  
• 
  Minimum of five (5+) years managerial and staff supervision experience.
  
• 
  Knowledge of art direction, graphic design, marketing, photography, print production processes, signage fabrication and web production.
  
• 
  Exceptional creative writing and editing skills.
  
• 
  Demonstrated working knowledge of sustainability trends and best "green" practices a plus.
  
• 
  Technical, analytical and business acumen and math skills, plus ability to develop and maintain budgets.
  
• 
  Exceptional ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must be comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, and answering questions.
  
• 
  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations in achieving organizational goals.
  
• Environment is fast paced and change is constant; individual must demonstrate highest level of professional and ethical conduct, maintain confidentiality; and possess the ability to lead calmly under pressure throughout all phases of the publication cycle.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working weekends, evenings, and holidays.




• 
  Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, and employees.
  
• 
  The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receiveCOVID-19 vaccinations by hire date, and the Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on community health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and are not intended as an exhaustive list of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities.

Education:

• 
  Bachelor's degree in related field required; master's degree is a plus.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: N/A

Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written)

Mathematical Skills:

• 
  Proficient mathematical abilities required
  
• 
  Ability to understand, analyze and create budgets
  

Reasoning Ability:

• 
  Ability to exercise independent and sound judgment in the observation, analysis and resolution of issues
  

Computer Skills:

• 
  Expertise in navigating through various PC, web and publications applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook)
  
• 
  Experience in database management helpful
  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• 
  N/A
  

Physical Demands:

• 
  Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs
  
• 
  Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and operate standard office equipment (e.g., copier, printer, fax, etc.)
  
• 
  Ability to work both indoors and out
  
• 
  May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (e.g., step stools, etc.)
  

Work Environment:

• 
  Climate-controlled buildings and office environment, as well as outdoors and in variable weather conditions
  
• 
  Fast-paced, deadline activities, at times.
  

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• 
  Senior Leadership
  
• 
  All levels of staff within the organization and across all divisions
  
• 
  Volunteers
  
• 
  Community members
  
• 
  Visitors and/or other persons or organizations interested in and supportive of the Garden
  
• 
  Other as needed
  

• Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America