Managing Director of Marketing Communications

About the role

The Managing Director of Marketing Communications helps connect the stories, programs and services of Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and PBS Wisconsin to communities across the state. The Managing Director leads a team focused on building awareness of WPR and PBS Wisconsin and developing communication and marketing strategies to grow audiences. The Managing Director ensures audiences experience a clear, consistent and compelling expression of public media’s mission and value across all platforms and channels.

As the leader of a team of 5–6 marketing communications professionals, the Managing Director oversees integrated marketing communications, strategies and campaigns; media relations for programs, projects and events; marketing publications; and audience communications that elevate audience awareness and deepen engagement. The Managing Director serves as a key leader within the Audience and Marketing department and reports to the Chief Audience and Marketing Officer. The role works collaboratively with other teams within the department and across the organization, including Content, Development and Education, to advance strategic priorities, strengthen community relationships, and support long-term organizational sustainability.

WPR and PBS Wisconsin are services of Wisconsin Public Media (WPM), a division of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Educational Communications Board (ECB). Together, these award-winning services reach communities throughout Wisconsin through trusted journalism, educational resources, history and cultural programming, community engagement, and public service.

A key responsibility of this role is helping lead the ongoing evolution of PBS Wisconsin and WPR strategic messaging and brand architecture. As the services strengthen alignment across radio, television, digital, educational, and community-facing events and engagement, the Managing Director guides efforts to evolve and align messaging and brands into a cohesive public media presence while preserving the unique strengths and public awareness of each service.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development and implementation of operating policies and procedures to promote communications in alignment with the strategic plan
• Develops communications campaigns, programs, and/or projects in alignment with strategic objectives
• Assists in the development and implementation of communications-focused strategic planning initiatives and objectives
• Develops, executes and leads marketing communications plans that align with organizational strategic priorities
• Responsible for strategic messaging, ensuring consistency across all functions and departments
• Directs and evaluates communications projects, including the design, production, and delivery of internal and external publications
• May serve as a liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing communications information and representing the interests of the unit
• Works collaboratively with departments across the organization in developing marketing strategies, ensuring data and insights inform planning from inception
• Oversees marketing publications and channels across multiple platforms
• May assist with developing and auditing the unit's communications budget
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in developing, executing and leading integrated, multi-platform marketing communications strategies and plans
• Demonstrated management and leadership experience, including directing, supervising, coaching, developing, and inspiring staff
• Minimum 5 years progressive experience in marketing and communications, including at least 3 years in leadership roles
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail, including strong writing, editing, proofreading, and quality-control skills

Preferred Qualifications

• A deep understanding of emerging technologies, social media platforms, audience behaviors, and media trends
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across complex organizations
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse groups, including executives, staff, media, partners, board members, and community stakeholders
• Proven ability to understand and apply data, analytics, and audience insights to measure marketing effectiveness and inform strategy on multiple different platforms
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, develop workflows, and effectively manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Experience in public television, public radio or a not-for-profit mission-driven organization
• Experience supporting audience and membership growth and fundraising goals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field is preferred.

Benefits

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Pay

We anticipate paying an annual salary in the range of $105,000 – $117,000 with actual pay dependent on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

This is a full-time position that generally works core business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required for special events. This position works at Vilas Communication Hall on the UW–Madison campus with the option of working partially remote in a hybrid schedule. Fully remote candidates will not be considered. Remote work requires an approved flexible work arrangement (FWA). A FWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform work on a university-provided computer. Occasional travel for events and meetings throughout Wisconsin is required.