The American Association of Woodturners (AAW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art and craft of woodturning through education, seeks a dynamic Director of Marketing and Communications to join its headquarters team. With over 14,000 members and 360 chapters worldwide, AAW strengthens and empowers the global woodturning community of hobbyists, professionals, collectors, and industry suppliers.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this full-time strategic leadership role will drive the organization’s marketing, communications, and business development efforts. The Director will collaborate with staff, contractors, board members, volunteers, and woodturners globally to enhance AAW's visibility, increase audience engagement, and generate revenue. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with excellent project management skills, a proven ability to foster partnerships, and a track record of results in marketing and business development.

This role oversees a three-person marketing and communications team and works closely with key contractors and partners to manage all aspects of branding, content strategy, design, production, social media, digital platforms, advertising, public relations, and crisis communications.

We welcome applications from candidates ready to make a meaningful impact on AAW's mission and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Marketing Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing, sales, and communications plan to expand AAW’s visibility, increase membership engagement, and drive revenue.
• Lead the execution of new strategic priorities from AAW’s strategic plan, aligning marketing and communications efforts with organizational goals.
• Leverage global marketing channels to reach diverse audiences and strengthen AAW’s brand recognition internationally.
• Lead initiatives to enhance membership retention and achieve recruitment goals.
• Drive attendance growth for virtual and in-person events, including the annual international symposium.
• Maximize sales of educational products, merchandise, and other revenue-generating offerings.
• Build strategic alliances with business and nonprofit partners, symposium exhibitors, and sponsors.
• Identify and cultivate new corporate marketing partnerships and business development opportunities.

Content Development and Media Management

• Guide content strategy across AAW’s website, social media, email campaigns, and other platforms to align with organizational goals.
• Ensure the website and digital communication channels are current, engaging, and optimized for user experience and search engines.
• Partner with the Managing Editor of American Woodturner to align organizational communications and expand the distribution of written and video content across multiple platforms.
• Provide leadership for the production of American Woodturner magazine, working closely with the Managing Editor to ensure timely delivery of the highest-quality publication.
• Expand the reach of AAW’s digital archives and electronic publications, including the Woodturning Fundamentals e-newsletter.
• Monitor and analyze campaign performance, providing regular reports to inform future strategies.

Creative Communications and Brand Management

• Oversee the development of high-quality marketing materials, including e-newsletters, brochures, event invitations, press releases, and calls for entries, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with the contract design firm on graphic design initiatives to maintain a consistent brand identity.
• Lead media relations efforts, crafting press releases and pitches to raise awareness of AAW programs and events.

Membership and Community Engagement

• Support membership campaigns with strategic communications that foster deeper relationships with members, chapters, and potential supporters.
• Partner with the development team to enhance annual giving campaigns and donor cultivation.
• Build marketing strategies that emphasize the value of membership and increase engagement within the woodturning community.

Wages, Benefits and Work location: $75,000 to $85,000 annual salary, dependent on experience and qualifications; generous Vacation and Sick policy, plus 10 flexible paid holidays per year and 1 floating holiday per year.

This position can be fully remote outside the Twin Cities, MN area or hybrid if the candidate lives in the Twin Cities area. If fully remote, the position needs to travel to headquarters on a semi-annual to quarterly basis for staff team meetings.  This position is also expected to travel to the annual in-person symposium held every summer (~5-9 days) and will share responsibility with the leadership team of traveling to represent AAW at regional in-person weekend events (~quarterly).  Some weekend hours required for implementing virtual programming (1-2 weekends/year).

How to Apply:
Submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and vision for advancing AAW’s marketing and business development initiatives.

Qualifications and Skills:

• 7+ years of professional experience in marketing, communications, or business development, preferably in a nonprofit or association setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field.
• Experience implementing strategic priorities within a dynamic organizational framework.
• Demonstrated experience fostering a sense of community and member investment and engagement, preferably as part of a global membership association.
• Proven ability to develop and execute successful marketing strategies and business development initiatives.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with experience supervising staff and contractors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
• Proficiency in digital marketing tools, analytics platforms, and CRM systems preferably ASI iMIS membership management software and Informz/Higher Logic email communications systems.
• Collaborative, results-driven mindset with excellent project management and organizational skills.

About American Association of Woodturners

AAW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art and craft of woodturning worldwide through education. With more than 14,000 members and 360 local chapters globally, AAW members include amateurs, hobbyists, professionals, gallery owners, collectors, and tool and equipment suppliers. Through the work of a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, we create opportunities for education, information, and organization to all who are interested in turning wood.

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