Digital Content and Design Manager - FurstStaffing

POSITION OVERVIEW
 Recognizing the vital role that marketing and communications plays in many of the activities that RACVB tackles, the position of Digital Content and Design Manager is of critical importance. Because of the scope of projects and the pace of the RACVB work environment, the selected individual will need a unique combination of project management and interpersonal skills combined with content creation, graphic design, and brand management experience. Primary duties include working closely with the Executive Vice President to contribute to the creative services within the organization including, but not limited to creating and posting social content across a variety of social media platforms, graphic design, brand publications, website management, photography, and video production.

 The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of hands-on content strategy and creation, digital analytics and graphic design experience within a business marketing department or in an advertising agency or marketing communications firm.  RACVB offers an outstanding work environment, competitive salary, and benefits, plus a position that directly affects the economic health of the Rockford Region.  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Social Media/Digital Strategy and Management

1. Establish strategy for all social media platforms
2. Track and report KPIs for all platforms
3. Use analytics for all digital media to continuously improve all aspects of GoRockford’s marketing efforts
4. Create, maintain and execute digital content calendar for all social media platforms including static posts, reels, video, voiceovers and stories for GoRockford, Made for Rockford, Stroll on State, Forest City Beautiful and others
5. Develop and maintain microsites and/or social platforms to support special events, as needed
6. Utilize a combination of new and user-generated content to ensure maximized exposure for partners, events and attractions.  
7. Manage and execute boosted post and digital campaign budget for maximized use of funds
8. Optimizing content for search engine optimization (SEO) and ensuring consistent brand messaging and tone of voice
9. Recommendation and creation of social ad campaigns, as needed
10. Research industry trends, market insights and competitor analysis to inform content development and identify opportunities.
11. Manage posts and comments on all social platforms
12. Search and pitch influencer pages 
13. Stay updated with industry best practices, emerging trends and evolving content formats to enhance content marketing initiatives continually.
14. Collaborate with the entire Go Rockford team to create and execute fully integrated campaigns
15. Assist in writing blogs and determining blog topics
16. Continuously monitors social media and digital marketing landscape to ensure skills and GoRockford’s strategies are leveraging and leading use of these tools.

 Graphic Design

1. Graphic design of marketing collateral, advertising, etc. in a fast-paced environment (when outside designer is not used)
2. Creates presentations, coordinate execution and presentation display
3. Design of advertisements including, but not limited to print, billboard, digital, and social media
4. Assist in the planning of contracted needs vs. in-house production
5. Project management of contracted work
6. Maintain contracted initiatives within budget
7. Develop, maintain and manage vendor relationships in areas of print production, photography, videography, graphic design, web bloggers, and others as assigned

 Brand Management

1. Adheres to corporate design standards
2. Proactively manages visual asset needs for future campaigns, including photography and videography
3. Creates news releases, fast facts and media advisories, as assigned

 Marketing & Communications Strategic Planning & Execution

1. Assists in developing marketing ideas for RACVB initiatives, programs, and teams, including but not limited to Sales & Service Marketing Programs, Destination Development, and Stakeholder Relations.
2. Assist and participate in the development of the annual communications and marketing plan that supports the overall objectives of the RACVB 
3. Assist with creating and updating processes to maximize ongoing efficiencies for the Marketing & Communications team and internal partners
4. Participates in inter-department brainstorming for project management and marketing needs 
5. Assists in budgeting for marketing needs

 Internal & External Partnership Development and Assistance

1. Represent the RACVB on assigned community committees
2. Provide marketing and design assistance for partners and committees as assigned or approved 
3. Assistance in advertisement purchasing, evaluation, and execution for marketing initiatives 
4. Assist in planning and execution of press conferences
5. Assist with on-site event execution as needed for major RACVB events (i.e., Stroll on State, client events, annual meeting, etc.)

 CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

1. Minimum of five years experience in marketing, design, and communications 
2. The ability to  work in a fast-paced environment while meeting competing deadlines
3. Proficient in design products - Adobe, InDesign, Photoshop, and Canva 
4. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
5. Experience in print, radio, and TV advertising: media evaluation, recommendation, contract negotiation, scheduling, deadlines, creative and production, preferred
6. Proficient in Customer Relationship & Website Management Programs – Simpleview, will teach
7. Understanding of print production process
8. Proficient in Social Media Strategy and Management
9. Possess confident communications capabilities in both written and verbal forms
10. Highly organized with experience in all aspects of marketing project management from concept development through production
11. Thorough understanding of marketing and communications principles
12. Have strong interpersonal skills that allow for success in a team environment
13. Ability to work evening/weekends for vital project deadlines

 KEY CONTACTS Media, Hotels, Attractions, Vendors, Outside Contractors, Marketing Partners, Destination Partners EDUCATION EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
 Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Communications/Graphic Design; with a minimum of 5 years of marketing communications and design-related experience. Work in tourism/hospitality industry desirable. Candidate should demonstrate an innovative use of creative communication strategy through visual design with a high focus on strategy, brainstorming, collaboration, innovation, and results-focused approaches. Experience with project management in a fast-paced environment is helpful. A strong passion for the Rockford Region (Winnebago County), community building is a plus. A high focus on positive culture building in a teamwork environment is a plus. Candidate should project professionalism and confidence in working with and marketing diverse populations.   Please apply directly to the Digital Content & Design Manager opening or contact Keri Benhoff at keri.benhoff@furstexec.com or 815-229-7810 with any questions.
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