Marketing Communications Specialist

The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism, is looking for a dynamic and creative marketer who works with all Poynter departments, including the teaching team, events and experiences staff and advancement department to tell the story of the Poynter Institute, build its brand and drive revenue and donations. This marketing professional will be a skilled writer across mediums, and will tell Poynter’s story on our website, social media platforms, email communications and more, creating promotional copy to share the transformational impact of Poynter teaching and the impactful programs and events Poynter produces. You will also analyze and collect data on marketing strategies and support our public events to bring the story of Poynter to more people. Under the direction of the Director of Marketing, Events and Communications, this role serves as a central figure to Poynter’s ambitious marketing strategy. This role assumes accountability for the strategic planning, orchestration and realization of the Poynter Institute’s world-renowned training and ethics brands within the marketing team . This marketing professional will be a skilled marketer and writer across mediums, and will have the ability to drive revenue for teaching, and expand our clients. They will tell Poynter’s story with a goal of reaching a broader audience, and promoting our teaching programs on our website, social media platforms, email communications, newsletters and more, sharing the transformational impact of Poynter teaching and will support the impactful programs and events Poynter produces. This pivotal role guarantees that each communication exemplifies and elevates the Poynter Institute’s dedication to advancing quality journalism. Key Responsibilities Communication Planning and Execution: In partnership with brand managers, develop and execute omni-channel communication plans designed to meet program objectives including enrollment targets, open rates, and brand awareness. This position will develop new marketing strategies to support both in-person and virtual training sessions offered by Poynter, and will share goals for enrollment requirements. Excellent writing and editing skills: Regularly produce written materials including newsletters, targeted emails, press releases, social media posts, website stories and promotional content designed to increase Poynter brand awareness and achieve program goals. This role demands an individual with substantial expertise in digital marketing, web and campaign strategy. In this position, you will plan and optimize a digital approach, work with the engagement and digital teams to execute and monitor performance, and communicate results with the organization. Data-driven marketing: Use performance metrics and audience insights to inform marketing strategy and communication recommendations across teaching and ethics programs. Monitor campaign performance across platforms, and provide regular, structured reporting to internal stakeholders to ensure transparency, continuous optimization and alignment with enrollment, revenue and brand awareness goals. Overall audience engagement: As a critical part of this role, this marketing leader will cater to the needs of the journalists and future leaders enrolled in our training sessions. Beyond course enrollments, they will provide support and oversight to all communications and activities associated with this core group, including partnership with the donor teams, events, and repeat communications designed to foster brand loyalty and advocacy. Event support: In-person training activities are instrumental to the success of Poynter teaching. This person will support pre-, during-, and post-event communications required to ensure a successful brand experience. This also includes necessary on-site event management, signage, swag, and other marketing needs required. Teaching brand leadership: This position will formalize and execute brand-related recommendations for the teaching and ethics teams. This will include on-site branding opportunities, as well as guidelines for teaching courses including templates and hashtags. This position will ensure that assignments are completed in a timely manner and are carried out in accordance with the Poynter brand vision and 3-5 year goals. Utilization of content management systems for online publishing, including active execution in WordPress. Regular use of customer relationship management systems and marketing automation tools, with experience in Salesforce and Mailchimp. Proficiency in general office software suites. Experience leveraging AI tools responsibly to support marketing efforts, including content development, audience targeting and workflow efficiency, with an emphasis on accuracy, ethics and brand alignment. Leadership with marketing and promotions, integrated marketing, strategic communications and public relations principles and practices. Develop and execute email marketing campaigns, with a strong understanding of email marketing principles, strategy and practices. Report on results, making and implementing proposals to improve key performance metrics. Strong planning, organization and time management skills to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines. Expectation to manage work through Asana as a Product Owner. Product Owner training will be provided if required. Metrics are critical to success, and it is required that this person manage several systems to report on metrics throughout given programs. This also includes gathering metrics specific to grant requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, enrollment goals, Google analytics, Mailchimp, SFDC, and CVENT. Weekly Activities include: Weekly Activities Build teaching product pages Write, schedule and send email campaigns Write and deliver the Poynter Pro Weekly Recruitment management through outreach and communications with subject matter experts Curating existing pages and content (making changes to programs in real time, redirects, front page displays, etc.) Onsite promotional needs for teaching programs Other duties as assigned Relationship Responsibilities This role reports to the Director of Marketing, Events and Communications and works closely with leaders throughout Poynter, including senior leadership. Externally, this position works with media and corporate partners, vendors, carriers and others outside the institute, including the general public. There’s considerable need for tact and cooperative spirit. Position Specifications Knowledge & Skills Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related fields is required or substituted with equivalent experience. An appreciation for Poynter’s mission of strengthening journalism is essential. Past experience in journalism is an advantage for this position, but not a requirement. Excellent writing and editing skills, spelling and grammar, with knowledge of AP style strongly preferred. At least three years of experience in email marketing, with a strong understanding of email marketing principles, strategy and practices. At least three years of experience with marketing, events, and promotions, integrated marketing, strategic communications and/or public relations principles and practices. Work in education, non-profit, philanthropic or media fields is a plus. Strong planning, organization and time management skills to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines. Ability to take initiative and work independently to carry out complex assignments. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across units and groups within the Institute. Knowledge of content management systems for online publishing. Experience in WordPress is a plus. Knowledge of customer relationship management systems and marketing automation tools. Experience in Salesforce, CVENT, and MailChimp is nice to have. Understanding of Google Analytics, Facebook and LinkedIn analytics for assessing impact of campaigns. Strong skills in general office software (Google suite or Microsoft suite) and a solid digital publishing acumen. Working Conditions/Physical Demands Most of the time, general office environment and computer work. We prefer this employee to be based in Tampa Bay, and the expectation is to work in the St. Petersburg office 2-3 days a week. Occasional travel outside the office to conferences and event locations locally and in other cities nationally and internationally. Requires periodic support work at Poynter events which could include lifting of 25 pounds and extended periods walking or standing. Occasional night and weekend work in support of events is required. Routine deadlines, disruptive work schedule and unpredictable events. The hybrid position is based out of St. Petersburg, FL, with the expectation that two days a week are required for in-office work. Send cover letter and resume via email to: marketingjob26@poynter.org Poynter, a nonpartisan, non-profit 501(c)(3), is a leading brand in training journalists through professional development programs at news organizations and colleges online and in person. Full‑time staffers enjoy a competitive benefits package and the added bonus of a paid two‑week winter break at the end of each calendar year in addition to PTO allotment. Offered benefits include: Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Job Type: Full-time Pay: $58,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year (commensurate with experience) #J-18808-Ljbffr