Vice President of Communications and Brand Marketing

Job Title: Vice President of Communications and Brand Marketing

Department: External Affairs

Location: Remote/Virtual within the continental US (Preference will be given to candidates in the Eastern Time Zone)

Reports to: Chief External Affairs Officer

Classification: Exempt

Position Type: Full-Time

Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $128,000 - $177,000 per year

 

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a growing non-profit (Military Service Organization (MSO)) with a history of delivering innovative solutions. We're the team that senior DoD leaders seek out when they want ground truth on issues facing our military families. Our team members are motivated individuals that help each other do remarkable things for military families to bridge the civilian-military divide every day.   We deliver first-class solutions that transform the military experience for military family members.  We operate in an agile arena where great minds come together to make life better for military members and their families.  We focus on data-driven insights while understanding the value of spirited storytelling.   And we do all this in a highly flexible, virtual environment with great benefits!

Are you ready to make a difference for the families of those who serve our great nation?  We are the ideal match for the innovator, the out-of-the-box, strategic thinker who understands the value of social impact.

 

General Description

The Vice President (VP) of Communications and Brand Marketing is a senior level role responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies that support and advance the mission and goals of Blue Star Families (BSF). The VP will lead branded campaigns, events, and communications efforts, ensuring alignment with External Affairs team goals. This position requires a detail-oriented, strategic thinker with extensive experience in brand marketing, communications, and event planning.

 

Key Job Functions

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Develop and implement departmental strategies for the communications and brand marketing departments.
• Oversee project management to ensure cohesive collaboration and communication.
• Establish departmental objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Manage the departmental budgets and allocate resources effectively.
• Lead the Communications and Brand Marketing teams.
• Manage vendors and contractors, including contract negotiation and invoice management.
• Serve as the primary communications point of contact between senior leadership and internal teams.
• Collaborate with other departments to execute campaigns and initiatives.
• Provide annual and post-campaign reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Communications

• Create, implement, and measure the success of communications initiatives, including SEO/SEM campaigns.
• Develop communications plans in collaboration with other BSF team members to achieve membership targets and strategic engagement vision.
• Serve as a strategic and creative visionary for national brand experience.
• Oversee strategic communication content and messaging to ensure brand alignment.
• Establish messaging frameworks that unify communications across touchpoints.
• Produce content with the Digital Innovation Team, including blogs, podcasts, videos, and website content.
• Ensure consistent articulation of BSF’s image, message, and position.
• Oversee the editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of print and electronic materials.
• Develop and maintain evaluation systems to measure the goals of the Communications Department.
• Recommend short- and long-term goals to the Chief External Affairs Officer.
• Stay informed of developments in communications, public relations, nonprofit management, and the military community.
• Enhance the member, stakeholder, and partner experience across all touchpoints.

Public Relations / Media Management

• Management of the outside Public Relations firm.
• Develop editorial content and media strategies to promote campaigns and initiatives.
• Apply creative approaches to public relations efforts.
• Build relationships with media outlets to promote BSF's narrative.
• Develop goals around earned media to advance organizational priorities.

Brand Marketing

• Lead the development, oversight, and management of branded campaigns and events.
• Develop new revenue streams for campaigns and events.
• Oversee the implementation and evaluation of campaigns and events.
• Advise senior leadership on engagement strategies and contribute to External Affairs strategic direction.
• Manage budgets for all engagement initiatives and provide clear reporting to senior leadership.
• Identify and leverage new partnerships and steward existing partners.
• Create strategic plans for new media and influencer cultivation.
• Leverage new media platforms to engage influencers in spreading the organization’s mission.

Fundraising

• Collaborate with development to create and implement fundraising campaigns.
• Coordinate with Brand Partnerships to develop and execute campaigns that raise money and engage members.
• Track and report key performance indicators to maximize return on investment.
• Conduct market research, peer benchmarking, and other optimization strategies.
• Support the development team in optimizing donor conversion rates.

 

Required Experience, Skills & Background

• 7+ years of experience in communications and brand marketing, with 5+ years of experience managing a communications and brand marketing team.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field; a graduate degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in marketing and communications strategy.
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications.
• Proven ability to acquire and engage members and/or donors.
• Familiarity with web analytics tools and Google Analytics.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Occasional travel and ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Physical ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.

 

Preferred Experience, Skills & Background

• Experience with membership-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with stewarding donors and creating supporting collateral.
• Familiarity with the military community and a passion for Blue Star Families’ mission.
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and project management software.

 

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

 

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Why Blue Star Families?

• Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
• Career growth opportunities
• Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses
• On-the-job professional development training
• Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
• Competitive salaries
• Workplace flexibility