Director of Marketing and Public Affairs

Organization

Baltimore Community Foundation is a philanthropic foundation created by and for the people of Greater Baltimore, where many donors join together to make the region they love a better place, today and for future generations. Our mission is to inspire donors to achieve their charitable goals from generation to generation and to improve the quality of life in the Baltimore region through grantmaking, enlightened civic leadership and strategic investments. BCF’s vision is of a Baltimore that boasts a growing economy where all have the opportunity to thrive. Our action agenda organizes grants, initiatives and advocacy around this vision. The values that guide our work are trustworthiness, inclusion, and entrepreneurialism.

With assets over $250 million comprised of nearly 900 charitable funds, BCF has granted over $600 million since its inception in 1972 and is one of the Baltimore region’s top grantmaking foundations. BCF makes charitable contributions to support a wide range of issues affecting the Baltimore region, currently with a focus on investments in two interest areas: Neighborhoods and Education. BCF also serves as the fiscal sponsor for major program initiatives and is affiliated with multiple supporting organizations. BCF undergoes a vigorous accreditation every year and is certified under the Council on Foundation’s National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

BCF operates from the knowledge that profound disparities in opportunity exist between people of color and their white counterparts; and we acknowledge the historic and ongoing role that structural racism plays in creating and perpetuating those disparities. That is why we are committed to reducing racial disparities, identifying and combating structural racism, and fostering more equity and inclusion through our grantmaking, initiatives, and advocacy.

Position

The Director of Marketing and Public Affairs plays a pivotal role in driving BCF's mission and success by overseeing BCF’s marketing and communications initiatives. The ultimate goal is to enhance the organization's reputation, engagement, and influence within the Baltimore community and beyond.

Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the Director of Marketing and Public Affairs will work closely with the VP of Philanthropy, the VP of Community Impact, and across all departments. This person will oversee all communications vendors and consultants and manage 1.0 FTE.

The Director of Marketing and Public Affairs manages the external marketing and strategic communications, including website, digital marketing, publications, thought leadership, advertising, public relations, and social media. The role directs communications strategies and messages for fundraising, storytelling and public engagement that appeal and resonate with BCF’s current and emerging audiences.  In addition, the Director serves as the designated spokesperson for the Baltimore Community Foundation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the marketing plan, communications, and public relations for the Foundation to raise its visibility and strengthen its brand identity;
• Manage and oversee marketing and communications, including:
• being responsible for BCF’s website, ensuring a fresh, up-to-date content that connects with core audiences;
• managing BCF’s social media presence and messaging with timely and relevant content;
• directing communications related to the Foundation’s advocacy agenda and thought leadership;
• managing BCF’s crisis communication plan;
• Serve as the co-administrator for the Foundation website and its digital media channels;
• Oversee the work of the MarCom staff and vendors, including: 
  • guiding the identification, development, and dissemination of stories that illustrate key BCF messages through a variety of media;
  • managing the production of an annual cycle of print and electronic communications; 
  • overseeing the production and distribution of Foundation publications, including the annual report, newsletters, e-newsletters, e-blasts, brochures, annual appeals and others that may be developed;
  • manage a style guide to provide brand and communications consistency across organization;
  • develop and monitor an annual budget for the communications department;
• Seek out, initiate, and leverage opportunities to market the Foundation through multiple channels (earned and purchased media, social media, events, and creative collaboration); 
• Assist fundraising strategies to analyze donor capacity and giving trends to upgrade donor engagement with the foundation particularly in the area of electronic and web communication and outreach;  
• Oversee BCF’s public relations efforts;
• Contribute to special projects and reports; 
• Cultivate and manage vendors, consultants and firms used for marketing, communications, and public relations; 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required; a master’s degree or similar advanced degree is desired;
• At least 5 years of demonstrated professional experience with progressive responsibility in marketing, communications and/or public relations;
• Experience working with digital marketing tools, such as Adobe Suite, Hubspot, Wordpress, Hootsuite, Salsa, LinkedIn, etc.;   
• Attention to detail;
• Aptitude for problem solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness;
• Proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations, perspectives and points of view;  
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills;
• Demonstrated familiarity with the variety of disciplines pertinent to a broad communications effort: graphic design, electronic communications, print production, media relations, etc.
• Knowledge of Baltimore civic, community and regional issues and an understanding of non-profit management;
• Ability to handle pressure, multi-task and set priorities and manage through ambiguity with an open-mind;
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for the Foundation’s mission.