The Director for Marketing and Communications is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies to increase awareness and understanding of AAVMC and the critical issues and opportunities facing academic veterinary medicine. This role requires expertise in strategy development, digital and traditional media, branding and content creation. The Director will lead a small team, manage vendor relationships, and collaborate closely with departments and volunteer entities to ensure AAVMC messaging is cohesive, impactful, and aligned with the association’s organizational goals.

Washington, DC-based hybrid is preferred (3 days in-office per week); remote candidates will be considered with the ability to travel as needed to Washington, DC (see travel section of qualifications for details).

Primary Responsibilities 

• Lead the creation and implementation of an integrated marketing and communications plan aligned with organizational goals, focusing on audience engagement and brand positioning.
• Collaborate with the leadership team, including across volunteer entities, to craft strategies that enhance AAVMC’s visibility as the trusted leader in academic veterinary medical education both within the veterinary profession as well as the broader health and education communities.
• Develop and execute communications plans focused on member awareness, engagement, satisfaction, and retention across all AAVMC’s organizational platforms to provide a top tier, cohesive member experience.
• Work closely with program managers and directors to develop and implement marketing plans and activities for specific projects, initiatives, events, and programs and to integrate specific plans within the organization-wide communications strategy across all programs.
• Create and implement a strategy to grow the association’s relationships with media outlets and interprofessional/cross-professional organizations to amplify the work of AAVMC to other health professions and interest groups.
• Manage vendor relationships with web services/digital marketing service providers, graphic arts agencies, production companies, and other vendors, including oversight of associated RFPs and budgets.
• Provide overall management for message development, production and channel selection for print, electronic, and social media communications, with a focus on promoting up-to-date best practices and moving the association towards increased sustainability.
• Collaborate with Meetings Vendor, Professional Development staff, and programming committees on event production, creative concepts and marketing/branding to support the needs of the association events, including but not limited to the Deans Leadership Conference, the AAVMC Annual Conference and the Veterinary Scholars Symposium.
• Prepare a variety of executive communications and produce scripts, as needed, that integrate with the overall communications strategy and development needs of the association.
• Work with member and industry communications representatives to meet collective communications and marketing needs for sponsored and/or collaborative projects and programs.

• Develop an evidence-based crisis communication plan and prepare communications on sensitive topics or organizational statements.

• Manage and lead team member(s) to achieve common goals, to collaborate effectively across diverse teams throughout the organization, and to foster growth and professional development in alignment with AAVMC’s core values and people management approach. 

REPORTS TO:  Chief Operating Officer

DIRECT REPORT: Associate Director for Marketing and Communications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or related field. Master’s degree in a related field and/or professional certification (e.g., Public Relations Society of America) is preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of communications experience including designing and executing communications strategy; developing communications campaigns; and ensuring brand management across channels
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to delegate, coach, and manage projects in a small-staff environment
• Demonstrate continuous learning and growth and a willingness to embrace new challenges and development opportunities
• Capability to analyze complex situations, identify challenges or opportunities, and develop innovative solutions or strategies to address them.
• Experience coordinating design and graphic decisions across the organization, particularly website design and content management (WordPress)
• Knowledge of industry trends and communications standards, including standards in social media marketing, and the ability to identify alternative paths and problem-solving when necessary
• Experience developing an evidence-based crisis communications plan, including organizational statements related to current events or sensitive topics
• Strong English-language writing and copy-editing skills that may include the successful development of discussion guides, press statements, talking points, PowerPoint decks, and official correspondence.
• Exceptional written, oral, proofreading, branding, design oversight, and interpersonal skills; and the ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
• A broad understanding of current digital technologies and strong knowledge and proficiency in data software: Microsoft Office Suite (required), CRM experience (strongly preferred) Cultural and social competency (across gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, etc.).
• Ability to work within a diverse workplace and alignment with AAVMC’s core values.
• Travel:
  • For Washington, DC-based applicants, the ability to travel on behalf of the AAVMC (3-4 times per year)
  • For remote applicants, must live within 30 miles of a major metropolitan airport (airline hub) and be willing to travel to Washington, DC, for staff events as needed; remote applicants may anticipate up to 50% travel.