Director of Marketing & Communications

Donor Network West’s mission is to save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation and research.

At Donor Network West, we're looking for people who embody our core values: passion, excellence, equity and inclusion, and relationships. We welcome diverse perspectives and foster an environment of collaboration and service.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of all of Donor Network West’s marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public affairs activities, both external and internal ensuring consistency in brand messaging and imagery. This position oversees development and implementation of support materials and services in the area of marketing, communications and public affairs. He/She directs the efforts of the marketing and communications staff and coordinates at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the organization. This individual must have a strong sense of how to articulate Donor Network West’s strategic priorities as a vitally important public health issue. This individual will develop and integrate Donor Network West’s communication strategies for organ and tissue donation programs.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Marketing and Communications

• Responsible for creating, implementing and measuring the success of a comprehensive marketing and communications program that will enhance the DNW’s image and position within the marketplace and the general public; facilitate internal and external communications; and strategic oversight for all marketing, communications and public affairs activities and materials.
• Ensures consistent communication and articulation of Donor Network West’s branding with desired image and position to internal and external constituencies.
• Ensures Donor Network West’s communications, messaging and media objectives align with the Donate Life America, Donate Life California and Donate Life Nevada organizations.
• Oversees editorial direction and branding of all DNW publications, collateral materials, promotional items and digital assets. This includes design, selection, production and distribution of materials.
• Work with external creative marketing and communications agencies to implement and activate on programs.
• Lead a team of marketing and communications professionals including creative services, marketing content, digital marketing, events, fundraising, public relations and internal and external communications.
• Oversees all website and digital strategies including website content and digital advertising.
• Establish a clear road map to drive the team’s day-to-day and long-term work.
• Oversees the communication between the organization and third parties, including transplant centers, hospitals, donors, the press, foundations, etc. related to business development. Develops strong, mutually beneficial relationships with Donor Hospital and Transplant Center Public Relations Departments.
• Oversees coordination of media interest in DNW and ensures regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests. Coordinates with media consultants to develop working relationships with members of the national and regional media outlets.
• Oversees all social media and online engagement and drives strategy behind the tone, voice and growth of these platforms.
• Articulates Donor Network West’s strategic priorities via an effective communications plan, including independent development of press releases, white papers, and supporting materials.
• Ensures that DNW regularly conducts relevant market research, coordinates, and oversees this activity. Oversees trend monitoring.
• Provides vision and support for community benefit, social responsibility and fundraising efforts. 

Planning and Budgeting

• In conjunction with the VP of Marketing and Communications, develops short- and long-term plans and budgets for the marketing/communications program and its activities, monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance.
• Assures that all communications and marketing programs and related staffing and budgets are appropriate to accomplish the stated goals and long-term vision of Donor Network West leadership and its Board.
• Responsible for the achievement of marketing/communications/public affairs mission, goals and financial objectives. Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objectives and report progress to the VP of Marketing and Communications.
• Recommends short- and long-term DNW goals and objectives to the VP of Marketing and Communications.
• Develops, implements and monitors systems and procedures necessary to the smooth operation of the marketing/communications/public affairs function.
• Keeps informed of developments in the fields of marketing, communications and public relations, not-for-profit management and governance and OPO advances specific business and use this information to help DNW operate with initiative and innovation.

Community Development

• Supports regional communications and marketing efforts.
• Supports volunteer program through the development and implementation of centralized administration processes.
• Oversees the current IT strategies in enhancing the design and functionality of website and web tools.
• Represents Donor Network West at events with professionalism.

Organizational Strategy

• Works to strengthen organizational development, as well as bring solid strategic thinking and communications efforts in assuring that Donor Network West priorities are met.
• Works with senior staff, other staff and volunteers to develop and maintain a strategic perspective, based on marketplace and constituent needs and satisfaction, in organizational direction, program and services, and decision-making and ensure the overall health and vitality of DNW.
• Develop and coordinate means to seek regular input from DNW’s key constituencies regarding the quality of programs and services and the Organization’s relevance.
• Helps formulate and administer policies to ensure the organizational integrity
• Acts as an internal consultant to bring attention and solutions to institutional priorities such as marketing and communications activities.

Managing and Staff Development

• Maintains a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality personnel, both paid and volunteer.
• Recruit, train, appraise, supervise, support, develop, promote and guide qualified personnel, both paid and volunteer.
• Ensures effective management within the marketing and communications function, with provision for succession.
• Helps staff to identify and attain professional goals and objectives; monitor performance on a regular basis.
• Enables staff to take action on behalf of DNW by transmitting the Organization’s values, vision and direction by:
• Respecting and using the skills, expertise, experience and insights of people;
• Providing direction and resources, removing barriers and helping develop people’s skills; articulating expectations and clarifying roles and relationships;
• Communicating which includes helping people transform information into knowledge and learning;
• Encouraging people to question organizational assumptions and ask strategic questions; ensuring quality decision-making;
• Anticipating conflicts and facilitating resolution;
• Engaging people in process as well as tasks
• Practicing their authority, and accept their responsibility;
• Modeling behavior
• Coaching people to success

Professional/Personal Competency

• Maintains professional competence in order to provide leadership and consultative services to staff and transplant centers.
• Actively participates in professional state and national organizations in an effort to provide ongoing communication and best practice dissemination to Donor Network West. Including but not limited to: Donate Life California, Donate Life Nevada, Donate Life America, the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT), AOPO, AATB and UNOS.
• Maintains, completes and submits budgeting requests, accurate records and expense reports.
• Maintains professional working relationships and rapport with management, clinical and ancillary staff both within and outside of Donor Network West. Works constructively to resolve issues as needed.
• Adheres to all Donor Network West policies and ensures department compliance.
• The Director of Marketing and Communication ensures 24-hour on-call resource schedule for Donor Network West to assist with Media Inquiries. 
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly organized and resourceful, with excellent written, verbal and presentation communications skills.
• Demonstrates tact, maturity, and professionalism in all points of contact.
• Possess a high degree of organization, ability to solve problems independently, and work with others in a congenial and collaborative manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work with executive management on organizational strategic planning and change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan and manage at both strategic and operational levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning and evaluation; websites; digital marketing, writing; editing; print and audiovisual production; branding; marketing; public relations; new media; graphic design; and online engagement.
• Proficient in the use of marketing analytics tools and Excel with a proven ability to measure the ROI of marketing channels and campaigns.
• Proven track record of hiring, mentoring, and retaining world-class marketing talent to include internal team members, freelance graphic designers, writers, videographers and agencies.
• Deep understanding of social media and branding.
• Highly skilled at motivating and managing staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or other related field required.
• 10+ years of progressive marketing experience with strong digital marketing experience.
• Demonstrable experience in designing and implementing successful marketing campaigns.
• Must have ability to travel within the Donor Network West service area by car. Must maintain a valid California driver’s license and current vehicle insurance based on California minimum insurance coverage standards.

Provided compensation data is subject to change based on location and work status. Salary data provided by third party sites do not accurately reflect our pay structure.