Director of Marketing & Communications

Job Type

Full-time

Description

About Locus

Locus (formerly VCC Social Enterprises) partners with communities where the capital system is not working to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, location, or economic status, can live in healthy, thriving communities. A capital system that centers community input and impact is essential to making this a reality. Locus is a nonprofit holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve. Locus is the parent organization for a family of social enterprises, which includes Locus Bank, Locus Impact Fund, Locus Capital, and the Community Investment Guarantee Pool, or CIGP. Locus has generated over $2 billion dollars in total impact in local communities to create jobs, energize places, and promote an enhanced quality of life. With offices in Christiansburg and Richmond, Locus offers innovative and flexible financing tools and professional advisory services to individuals and organizations in low-to-moderate income and underserved communities. Locus Bank is an FDIC-insured, certified bank and B Corp offering products tailored to socially conscious investors, along with personal and business checking, savings, and certificate of deposit accounts. Locus Bank is a majority-owned subsidiary of Locus. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at www.locusimpact.org.

Position Overview:

The Director of Marketing and Communications leads strategic branding and marketing/communications efforts for the organization, its lines of business, and products/programs. The Director of Marketing and Communications leads efforts to build brand awareness, rapport, and favorability in the marketplace. This position requires working with executive and senior leadership to support organizational strategic goals. The Director of Marketing and Communications manages the Content Marketing & Communications Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, and Events & Communications Coordinator. The Director of Marketing and Communications reports to the Chief External Affairs Officer.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Brand strategy

• Lead the development and implementation of the Locus brand strategy, including the brand purpose, consistency, personality, voice, language, and visual identity.
• Ensure alignment of branding and marketing and communications strategies with Locus mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
• Lead Locus employee adoption and ownership of the brand strategy to ensure consistency and build brand culture.
• Ensure alignment with brand standards in all marketing and communications efforts across the organization.
• Serve as a leader and point of contact on communications for external stakeholders, board members, and the executive team to provide support for emerging initiatives and transitions.
• Develop and oversee implementation of annually reviewed Locus brand and marketing and communications strategies and objectives.
• Collaborate with department directors and represent the Brand Marketing & Communications team on corporate committees and at Board of Directors meetings to report on and ensure organizational alignment with brand strategy.
• Develop and facilitate the adoption of Brand, Marketing & Communications policies and procedures across the organization.
• Develop and oversee the adoption of compelling, consistent messaging and narrative across the organization.
• Ensure alignment with DEI values and goals in all marketing and communications efforts
• Develop and oversee the implementation of impact and information-sharing tactics internally and externally.
• Conduct research and develop strategies to increase brand awareness and improve public perception of the Locus brand.
• Analyze marketing data and market conditions to determine the best brand positioning strategy.
• Evaluate new business and product opportunities from the brand/reputation perspective as a member of the Business and Product Development Committee.
• Work with External Affairs directors and Chief External Affairs Officer to ensure the organization leads with its mission, engages existing markets, and helps build new market opportunities.
• Determine how to allocate funds across different marketing channels to create maximum impact while staying within budget parameters.

Project management

• Lead the development and oversee the execution of Locus events and thought leadership campaigns (e.g., Learning Exchange), including working with third party contractors and a part-time employee.
• Lead projects that seek to refresh/update existing corporate and/or product/program branding, as well as the development of new brands.
• Lead the Brand, Marketing & Communications team in setting the strategy for and ensure proper execution and measurement of all marketing and communications tactical efforts, including but not limited to email marketing, social media, websites, sponsorships, earned media, and advertising.
• Support Locus CEO, CEAO, and executive team in the development and dissemination of internal and external communications.
• Serve in a key management capacity for emergency and crisis communications, including evening and weekend availability.

Administrative

• Manage and adhere to the Locus marketing budget and track associated expenses.
• Utilize and enforce the usage of project management tools to ensure organization and timely deliverables.
• Act as the main point of contact for Brand Marketing & Communications consultants and contractors.
• Recruit, manage, and train Brand Marketing & Communications staff, including performance reviews and professional development efforts.
• Partner with the Human Capital team to develop and incorporate training/onboarding materials regarding the Locus brand.
• Maintain a pulse on marcom and marcom technology trends by attending industry conferences and other professional development opportunities.

Management Responsibilities:

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff for the organization.
• Ensures adherence to the organization's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategic plan.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations to members of the executive leadership team.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.

Qualifications

Experience/Education/Certifications: •

• Minimum 7 years of experience in a senior marketing strategist position in corporate, agency, education or non-profit contexts
• Substantial project management experience, with demonstrable successes in a complex organization
• Experience driving results in a highly matrixed environment
• Successful track-record of continual assessment, analysis and repositioning of work to meet evolving organization needs
• Strong preference for skills in Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress

Computer/Technology:

• Excellent Word, Excel, and Windows file management skills mandatory
• Strong technical experience with Salesforce or other CRM tools
• Demonstrated web research skills
• Familiarity with Outlook or similar network-based email and calendar software
• Extensive computer usage and Microsoft Teams communication
• Must be able to work independently in a stable remote environment

Communication:

• Ability to communicate verbally across all levels of the organization in a clear, concise and confident manner.
• Ability to write accurate, clear and organized communications, incorporating a range of information and analysis. Ability to document workflow and procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

• $90,000 - $110,000 annual salary, depending on skills and experience
• Bonus opportunity if bonuses are paid in any given calendar year
• 17-days of PTO per year
• 11-Paid holidays per year
• Medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401k savings plan with employer match
• Life Insurance
• Hybrid/Remote Options (for candidates living near offices in Richmond and Christiansburg VA.)

Locus prefers applicants in states where business relationships have already been established, they include Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Nebraska, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Kansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Missouri.

EEO Statement

Locus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Locus does not discriminate in hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital or family status, national origin, non-job-related disability, or status as a veteran.