THE OPPORTUNITY
The Senior Manager, UpSurge Marketing & Communications will support and coordinate integrated communications for our tech and startup portfolio and our overall digital properties, in alignment with the Greater Baltimore Committee's regional economic development strategy. This role combines hands-on content creation (newsletters, social media, web) with strong visual storytelling, including graphic design and deck-building, project management, basic analytics, and vendor coordination.
You will lead the design and publication of our signature Baltimore Tech Ecosystem Report and related materials, and you will frequently pivot between priorities to deliver high-quality work for multiple internal and external stakeholders on tight timelines. You will help ensure that organizational communications meet the requirements of TEDCO and other key funders and supporters of UpSurge, while also supporting GBC's strategic goals to accelerate regional innovation and economic growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
- Translate UpSurge/GBC priorities and TEDCO grant requirements into practical communications and marketing plans, with guidance from senior leadership
- Maintain an integrated content and production calendar across our tech and startup communications and our overall digital properties, including the Baltimore Tech Ecosystem Report and other marquee assets.
- Coordinate timing and messaging overlap across GBC's overall newsletter and stakeholder communication channels, including board- and investor-facing updates.
- Provide marketing and communications support for events, including visually compelling materials.
Newsletters & Editorial Content
- Coordinate production of the UpShot newsletter for founders and investors: gather content, draft sections, manage approvals, coordinate distribution, and ensure a polished, visually engaging layout.
- Support development and ongoing execution of a new newsletter for the business and investor community (content sourcing, drafting, layout, scheduling).
- Draft and edit clear, concise copy (lead-ins, startup features, calls to action) tailored to founders, investors, business leaders, and other key audiences.
- Draft content for use in other GBC newsletters/comms as appropriate.
- Support the engagement of stakeholders/GBC members as content contributors for newsletters, making it easy for them to participate through clear briefs and templates.
Digital, Social Media & Media Relations
- Manage day-to-day social media across our overall digital properties (posting, copywriting, graphics coordination) in alignment with broader GBC channels and brand.
- Coordinate with internal contributors (staff, interns) on social content; provide structure, feedback, and scheduling
- Support and help manage social media ad campaigns associated with TEDCO funding, including coordination with external partners and adaptation of creative assets
- Develop visually engaging decks and one-pagers for stakeholder and funder communications, ecosystem briefings, and leadership meetings, distilling complex data and narratives into clear, compelling slide formats.
- Assist with media relations: maintain media lists, draft/edit press releases and media advisories, develop story ideas and media pitches, coordinate with PR partners on pitching and coverage, and track media mentions
Web & Brand Stewardship
- Maintain and update content across our overall digital properties within existing templates, ensuring alignment with brand standards and a cohesive visual identity.
- Drive audiences to our overall digital properties and other key destinations through strategic web updates and clear, attractive page layouts.
- Develop a plan for encouraging engagement with our overall digital properties (such as content submissions, event postings, and founder stories), using design-forward approaches and user-friendly experiences.
Analytics & Reporting
- Pull and organize core analytics (Mailchimp, Salesforce tags, social metrics, web analytics) to understand audience composition and content performance
- Prepare reports and insights for leadership and funders, including visual summaries and slide-ready charts that can be quickly incorporated into stakeholder decks.
- Use data to recommend adjustments to content mix, cadence, and format, including testing new visual approaches to improve engagement.
Collaboration & Coordination
- Work closely with GBC's communications team, UpSurge leadership, and other stakeholders to maintain coordinated messaging and consistent visual standards.
- Serve as day-to-day liaison with PR, design, and marketing vendors, providing clear briefs, design direction, and timely feedback on deliverables.
- Mentor and guide interns and junior contributors supporting marketing, communications, and design work, helping them prioritize and re-prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- 4-6 years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations
- Demonstrated ownership of campaigns or channels
- Strong writing and editing skills with experience crafting newsletters, graphics, web content, and social media copy
- Experience with email platforms (Mailchimp preferred) and comfort working with customer relationship management systems (Salesforce preferred) and event platforms
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, shifting focus quickly while maintaining high standards for content and design quality.
- Basic experience tracking and interpreting marketing metrics
- Experience working with cross-functional teams
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with media relations (press releases, media outreach, press coordination).
- Strong understanding of startup ecosystems, entrepreneurship, or economic development
- Experience managing social media advertising campaigns.
- Graphic design capabilities and/or experience working effectively with designers, including proficiency with presentation and design tools (e.g., PowerPoint/Keynote, Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar) and an ability to produce or direct visually compelling decks, reports, and digital assets.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $75,000-80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, with potential for an annual bonus based on performance.
WHY JOIN US
As part of this exciting merger, you'll have the opportunity to shape communications for a transformative initiative positioning Baltimore as a national innovation hub. You'll work at the intersection of startup culture and regional economic development, collaborating with dynamic leaders in the tech ecosystem and corporate community. Your work will directly support entrepreneurs building the next generation of companies while contributing to the broader economic vitality of the Baltimore region.
For more information, visit gbc.org and upsurgebaltimore.org.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
