We created this NEW position, a Marketing & Communications Manager, to enhance the City of Woodstock by building a diverse and engaged online community through our various social media platforms, websites and marketing and newsletter communications. This position will oversee marketing and communications staff as part of a newly created Marketing department responsible for creating and managing the distribution of content across all channels, developing, and administering content that is designed to engage users and create an interactive relationship between residents, visitors, businesses and the City. The successful candidate will be required to collect and review data and analytics from all platforms to develop more effective campaigns and digital marketing strategies. The ideal candidate will be eager to tackle the challenges of training staff to develop content that helps build brand recognition and engagement. The ability to communicate effectively in written and oral communications is also a must. We are looking for highly motivated professional candidates with marketing industry experience and/or a degree in digital marketing, marketing, or communications.

The City of Woodstock is a charming historic community of 25,630, located 55 miles northwest of Chicago on Metra rail. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Woodstock is a community unlike any other boasting historic 19th century buildings, dining, entertainment, accommodations, specialty shops, professional services, art galleries and live theater. The City employs approximately 325 (full, part-time and seasonal) employees in a variety of departments within the organization, such as Office of the City Manager, Building & Zoning, Economic Development, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Public Library, Opera House, Police, Public Works and Recreation. Our employees work to serve the residents with responsive customer service and strive to make the City of Woodstock the best community it can be.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for creating a consolidated, professional, streamlined and comprehensive marketing and communications strategy and brand for the City of Woodstock to convey, internally and externally, communications regarding City programs, services, policy decisions, community events and other related information important to residents, businesses and visitors. Additional duties include management of the City's social media, the City's website, event coordination and related administrative duties, including management of staff. The position reports to the Executive Director - Business Development.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Sets clear and comprehensive communications, branding, PR, and marketing policies.
• Analyzes the long-term needs of the City's marketing, branding, and communication strategy and prepares staff reports to outline any necessary changes to the marketing and communications plan.
• Implements cohesive branding strategy across all city departments in collaboration with city department directors within time frame and budget set by Finance, City Manager and City Council.
• Directs and manages communication through all digital channels including website, social media, digital signage, print publications and email marketing.
• Fosters cooperative relationships with Real Woodstock staff and board members, media outlets and community stakeholders.
• Ensures transparency with the public by writing timely and informative communications.
• Partners with internal and external stakeholders to actively market City programs, services and amenities.
• Oversees equitable scheduling of community sign usage with city department directors.
• Creates innovative marketing strategies that build customer loyalty programs, brand recognition and customer satisfaction to increase tourism, developer, investor, business and resident attraction.
• Develops social media campaign strategies that help to achieve the City's marketing goals.
• Coordinates timely website refreshes and implementation of new technology and software to keep City's digital image relevant and engaging with users, collaborating with stakeholders.
• Manages and catalogs digital assets of the City for shared access.
• Coordinates and implements new website marketing campaigns to increase awareness and engagement.
• Identifies marketing needs and creates marketing plan to promote community events.
• Coordinates resources with Chamber of Commerce to create social media content during events including; interviews, video, photography, testimonials, surveys, email list harvesting, etc.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or similar with a minimum of three (3) years' marketing management experience, inclusive of customer service; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Experience creating targeted content that generates measurable ROI
• Demonstrated ability to use social media channels effectively to deliver marketing content
• Experience managing and having editorial oversight of a medium sized organizational website
• Ability to influence and persuade, adapting personal style to meet different situations
• Good facilitation skills, engaging and encouraging contributions
• Solid verbal and written communication skills as well as excellent presentation skills displaying confidence in presenting to groups across different levels and disciplines.
• Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel, Canva, Google, Hootsuite and Adobe Design Suite products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of municipal marketing philosophies and regulations around data protection and accessibility.
• Project management qualification.
• Google Analytics Certification.
• Previous supervisory experience.

Salary & Benefits

Starting annual salary for this full-time, exempt exempt/salaried role is $64,771.20. Additionally, an excellent benefits package is provided including, but not limited to, group health insurance and IMRF pension.