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Position Summary:

The Manager, Marketing & Communications is responsible for developing, executing, measuring, and optimizing print, press/media, and influencer marketing campaigns as well as the overall day-to-day processes and procedures of the larger marketing department. They are the primary liaison between the marketing department and internal “clients”, offering strategic guidance, planning, budgeting, and project management for both annual marketing plans and incremental marketing requests.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Marketing Plan Development and Management
• Develops strategic print advertising plans for domestic and international audiences.
  • Negotiates with media outlets for pricing, placement, and value-added opportunities.
  • Manages timelines for creation and dissemination of print and online assets to fulfill both domestic and international media schedules.
• Develops strategic direct mail programs for domestic and international audiences.
  • Manages timelines for creation and approval of materials to fulfill direct mail programs.
• Marketing Project Direction and Execution
  • Develops creative briefs for major projects and initiatives that outline the strategic approach, expected results, and measurement methodology for each; gains approval from all parties and leads planning process with marketing team members.
  • Creates and manages timelines for development of all marketing assets and programs, including print and digital ads, postcards, brochures, emails, videos, and special projects.
  • Facilitates adherence to timelines across cross-functional teams involved in each project. Maintains working knowledge of all marketing projects underway, keeps up-to-date project status reports and leads marketing team status meetings.
• Audience Surveys
  • Manages calendar of requested and approved surveys against all SFA audiences; identifies opportunities for survey consolidation based on audience and objectives.
  • Manages external research vendor(s) on questionnaire development, data transfer, deployment, reporting and presentation.
  • Builds and executes incremental surveys in SurveyMonkey or comparable program; compiles report on key metrics and present findings to the project sponsor(s).

• Public Relations, Influencer Marketing, and Communications
  • Identifies potential social media influencer partnerships based on brand synergies, audience metrics, and engagement in relevant content. Leads effort to develop SOWs, execute and measure social media influencer campaigns.
  • Develops and independently manages influencer-related events and activities.
  • Collaborates with Manager, Digital Marketing to identify potential “social media moments” at events to encourage social sharing; collaborates with operational colleagues on viability and implementation.
  • Collaborates with public relations/communications team in vetting and approving/denying press registrations for Fancy Food Show.
  • Identifies opportunities to leverage SFA content into media pitches throughout the year during Show season(s).
• Administrative/Miscellaneous
  • Budget Management – Submits accounts payable invoices for approval; tracks budgets for all marketing areas; keeps SVP, Marketing & Communications aware of significant variances.
  • Assists SVP, Marketing & Communications on special projects as requested.
  • Provides onsite assistance at in-person events.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in marketing, communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of marketing experience.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data that will help to inform marketing strategies.
• Experience in public relations and with media outlets.
• Experience developing media plans and direct mail programs.
• Experience in developing influencer marketing campaigns and initiatives.
• High EQ – consummate team player, excellent collaborator, and clear, tactful communicator.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage disparate personalities and opinions toward a common goal.
  • Demonstrated ability to “manage up” in a succinct and meaningful way.
• Experience with project management software (Asana a plus but not required).
• Experience with marketing automation platforms (Hubspot a plus but not required).
• Experience with website CMS (Kentico a plus but not required).

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The Association is headquartered in an office building in NYC, though the workforce is primarily home-based. This position is primarily remote but will require your presence in the office at various times. Regardless of location, job demands may require long periods of sitting; telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other staff members, external vendors and SFA external constituents. There will be periodic travel required both to industry events and for team and department meetings. Occasional lifting of heavy boxes up to 40 pounds may be required, particularly around events.

About Specialty Food Association

Welcome to the Specialty Food Association, where we create, connect, support, and share the extraordinary experience of specialty food with the world.

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