Summary/Objective
The Vice President for Marketing and Communications is an experienced and energetic marketing or communications professional who provides leadership in promoting Team NEO and its associated strategies, as well as the value proposition for investing and growing in the Northeast Ohio Region to external and internal audiences. The ideal candidate is a strong collaborator who identifies opportunity to integrate core messages with those of Team NEO partners and JobsOhio. They will embrace and advance the foundational marketing strategy, plans, brands, messaging, and agency partners included in Team NEO’s 2022-2024 strategic plan.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead marketing and communications strategy development and execution for all Team NEO programs to ensure impact and cohesiveness
• Execute the marketing strategy and plan in concert with the overall Team NEO strategy to attract businesses to the Northeast Ohio region and grow those businesses already here, as well as support the organization’s strategic and fundraising objectives.
• Staff the Marketing Advisory Council and provide leadership to the “agency collaborative” of partner organizations that support Team NEO’s marketing and communications efforts. Lead Team NEO’s marketing and communications staff, budget, and coordination of agency partners; manage staff members’ workload, growth and development, performance, and job satisfaction
• Oversee marketing needs for each of the strategy channels and support the implementation of the necessary tactics
• Serve as liaison/spokesperson with partners, media, and potential stakeholders
• Serve as an engaged member of Team NEO’s leadership team, supporting Team NEO’s strategy, living our values, and cultural attributes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Responsible for a mission critical function that has direct impact on top level metrics (e.g., wins, new jobs, capital investment, fundraising and financial sustainability)
• Significant role in setting organizational strategy
• Overall accountability for managing people & budget to accomplish organizational goals
• Represents the organization through significant interaction with external parties, including partners, companies, and board members
• Provide staff support for board committees/councils Integral member of the leadership team
Supervisory Responsibility Responsible for managing a team of marketing and communications professionals.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach
with hands and arms.

Travel
Travel is primarily in-region during the business day, with a number of early morning and after
hours travel and meetings. Occasional travel to Columbus, Ohio is possible. Access to a vehicle
is required.

Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required
• Masters in Business, Communications, or equivalent preferred
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing highly successful marketing and PR plans for organizations with regional or national reach.
• Demonstrated success in working with media, particularly with business or industry media, to communicate an organization’s or industry’s point of view.
• Experience in working with partners and stakeholders within or across an organization to develop common messaging that is easily communicated and highly effective.
• Proven ability to build successful programs and initiatives in the public and/or private sector.
• Significant experience in leading a team and agency partners in managing multiple traditional and digital marketing platforms, and leveraging those platforms for maximum impact
• Proven track record managing an organizational brand
• Proven track record promoting inclusion and diversity both internal and external to the organization.
• History of building, managing and leading high-achieving teams of professionals.
• Candidates with working knowledge of the major economic development actors in the state and region – both the organizations and their leaders – will be considered favorably.
• Candidates must possess work experience in marketing and communications at multiple levels within organizations, to include several years’ experience leading marketing and communications teams.
• Experience and comfort with both virtual and in-person workplace environments

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
• Strong leadership skills; adept at utilizing different leadership styles as different relationships necessitate, to include leading by direction, consensus, and influence.
• Values people leadership and embraces the commitment to developing others
• Strategic relator with an ability to see and relate factors beyond the immediate
• Ability to roll-up sleeves, self-starting demeanor with initiative and vision.
• Expert communicator, highly persuasive with oral and written communication
• Emotional intelligence; calm under pressure while also empathic in interactions
• Flexibility; ability to work in a fast paced, ever-changing environment.
• Networker; builds collaborative and productive relationships with others and maintains a wide network of contacts that can be leveraged on behalf of the organization’s goals.
• A problem-solver. Adaptive, focused on continuous improvement. Able to think outside the box – or to redefine the box.
• Performance-driven, accountability-mindset, and Results-oriented.