JOB TITLE:
Vice President of Communications and Marketing
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt/Full-time
REPORTS TO:
President and Chief Executive Officer
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 2016
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the president/CEO, and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the
vice president (VP) of communications and marketing is responsible for shaping the public face of CSWE.
The VP will develop a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that promotes, expands,
enhances, and protects the organization’s brand reputation and identity. The VP will also focus on policy
and mission critical objectives that drive results internally and externally, with a keen eye to identifying
new partnerships that attract and leverage resources to expand the capacity of the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The VP will oversee and coordinate the daily operations of all communication and marketing activities.
The VP supervises a publications manager and other communication specialists to bring an innovative
approach to all communication and marketing efforts. The VP will engage with all CSWE staff members
to better serve the communication and marketing needs of the organization.
Communications and Marketing Strategy, Vision and Leadership
 Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance CSWE’s brand
identity, broaden awareness of its programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of its programs
to key stakeholder audiences.
 Develop marketing strategies informed by internal and external research; create a marketing plan
that will allow CSWE leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted,
high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
 Cultivate relationships with members. Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the
organization and its members. Work with the leadership team and staff members to recognize
internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute
appropriate strategies to support them.
 Understand CSWE’s market, its current and future needs, and how best to reach that market.
 Develop and implement plans for generating new revenue streams in collaboration with CSWE
leadership.
VP Communications and Marketing
Job Description
Page 2
Communications and Marketing Operations
 Oversee development of all CSWE communications, including the annual report, membership enewsletter, marketing materials, APM materials (Preliminary and Final Programs, postcard,
Marketing Toolkit, etc.) and website and social media platforms; manage relationships with
associated vendors.
 Serve as a spokesperson and point person for media interactions that help promote and/or that affect
the organization.
 Coordinate and prioritize timing of the communication of departmental initiatives.
 Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities; prepare talking points, speeches, press
releases, presentations, and other supporting material as needed.
 Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage about CSWE’s
programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects.
 Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function, including budgeting, planning,
and staff development.
 Develop marketing plans to promote existing and future CSWE Press publications; work
collaboratively with the publications manager, Council on Publications, and authors to position
CSWE Press as a leading publisher of social work education publications.
 Receive and process all logo and other requests related to branding and marketing.
 Manage the marketing of the CSWE member list; approve publications from external organizations
who rent the use of the list.
 Lead and work collaboratively with president/CEO on outsourced government relations efforts as
they relate to communications and marketing.
 Provide communications and marketing counsel to president/CEO and executive team.
Business Development, Sponsorship Engagement, and Operations
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Lead business development activities, including annual meeting exhibits, sponsorships, and
advertising sales to meet or exceed clearly defined revenue goals in line with CSWE’s strategy.
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to expand the organization’s exhibitor,
sponsorship, and advertising sales development and revenue goals.
Continuously evaluate sponsorship programs and initiatives for potential new sources of revenue.
Manage exhibit space sponsorship accounts and process pre and post events/meetings including
feedback from customers.
Increase sponsorship, advertising, and exhibit program participation; develop prospects, engage in
market research, and work with internal and external stakeholders to develop new and innovative
sponsorship opportunities and industry partnerships.
Write and submit sponsorship proposals.
Review letters of request/agreements for compliance, accuracy, deliverables, and financial data.
Develop and update Exhibitor Prospectus as needed.
Coordinate with event operations to ensure sponsors receive promised deliverables.
Work in collaboration with grant managers to maximize opportunities across the brand.
Create and maintain annual communications and marketing calendar that tracks development
activities, industry contacts, and other relevant standard operating procedures and systems.
Provide regular tracking and metrics reporting of development efforts in relation to achievement of
revenue targets.
VP Communications and Marketing
Job Description
Page 3
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS
 Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, or communications; an advanced degree is
highly preferred.
 A minimum of 7 years of experience in a senior management role in marketing and
communications with at least 5 years of experience in planning, writing, editing, and
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production of newsletters, press releases, annual reports, marketing literature, and other print
publications and directories. Membership association experience is essential.
Proven business development expertise to lead, drive, and implement a comprehensive marketing
strategy related to an organization’s annual meeting, sponsorship program, and advertising sales
revenue goals
Facility with typical marketing tools such as Google Analytics, Mail Chimp, and Survey Monkey
Extensive successful writing and editing experience with a variety of print and online
communications media
Ability to be creative and thoughtful about the use of new media technologies
Capable of innovative thinking, with a proven track record for translating strategic thinking into
action plans and output
Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict
resolution skills
Self-reliance and a results-oriented personality
Ability to listen, understand, and make decisions in a changing environment in anticipation of
future needs that will continue to position the organization to be the nation’s expert on social work
education
Proven excellence as a negotiator and persuasive communicator
Flexible, collaborative, and proactive team leadership; the ability to positively and productively
influence strategic and tactical financial and administrative initiatives
Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively
interface with senior management, CSWE’s Board of Directors, and staff
Passion and commitment for CSWE’s mission
Ability to travel two to three times per year
ADA SPECIFICATIONS
This position is primarily sedentary and is performed in an office setting. The physical demands of this
position are limited to the ability to lift up to 30 lbs., bend, stoop, and carry articles used in program
activities. Ability to travel within the United States 2–3 times per year or as necessary to accomplish
business objectives.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the
individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and
skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.
In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions of this position.