Position Title: Marketing and Communications Specialist
Organization: United MSD Foundation
Type: Full-Time (40 hours)/Fully Remote
Compensation: $55,000-$60,000 with paid holiday, vacation, and sick time
Travel: Limited travel for professional development
Reports to: Executive Director
To Apply
Submit your resume with a link to your portfolio of work or 3 samples of marketing and communications work to Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, Executive Director, at svandersypen@curemsd.org. Apply by April 6 for priority consideration.
About the United MSD Foundation
Founded in 2016, the United MSD Foundation (UMSDF) is on a mission to fund a cure for Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD), a rare and fatal genetic disease that affects children. UMSDF works to raise awareness of the disease, provide support for affected families, and fund research towards a cure. UMSDF benefits from a coalition of committed families, advocates, and researchers across the globe. Learn more at www.cureMSD.org.
Position Overview
The United MSD Foundation seeks an enthusiastic, experienced, and mission-driven marketing and communications specialist to join our team as we advance ever closer to a cure for MSD. The ideal candidate will take initiative, be resourceful, and exhibit a problem-solving mindset. The successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders from patient families to funders to the scientific community. This position gives the right candidate flexibility to be a creative storyteller while changing lives and science.
Duties Include
Communication Strategy
● Develop the annual communication plan to ensure United MSD Foundation’s resources, research, public awareness and advocacy efforts are promoted across appropriate platforms; implement plans and monitor results
● Ensure brand consistency across all avenues of communication
● Gather and convey inspiring storytelling content that engages our community and attracts donors, volunteers, and other key constituents
● Collaborate with Executive Director on strategies to enhance donor retention and acquisition
● Assist program staff with outreach goals to reach unidentified patient families through communication strategies
● Generate a quarterly report on communications metrics for Board meetings
Graphic Design and Print Collateral
● Create and/or assist with the production of marketing materials, including flyers, public-facing slides/presentations, infographics, donor communication, merchandise, etc.
● Work with external vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery
Digital and Social Media Management
● Lead the development of a new website with our external vendor
● Create and manage a social media and editorial calendar
● Plan and create social media content, including content geared at patient families, advocates, donors, and other key audiences
● Drive strategy to increase daily engagement on UMSDF social media accounts
● Create media campaigns to increase awareness for key initiatives and events, including the annual Zebra Run and World MSD Day
● Field social media comments and questions and direct them to the appropriate staff member for response as needed
● Monitor, report and present on online engagement analytics (web, email, social media, earned media)
● Create social media kits (for ambassadors and volunteer fundraisers) for fundraising campaigns, like Zebra Run
● Leverage key engagement metrics across platforms to optimize content, messaging and distributions
Email Communications
● Create and send the monthly e-newsletter, sourcing content from staff
● Build targeted lists to send special campaign messaging
● Analyze data to improve email engagement
Public Relations and Media
● Create and maintain a media list
● Write and distribute press releases
● Nurture local, regional, and national media partners, and pitch relevant stories
● Monitor news stories covering the UMSDF, MSD, and relevant research
Events and Fundraising Campaigns
● Create and oversee event related marketing materials such as sponsorship forms, flyers, registration pages/website, etc.
● Develop and monitor marketing budgets for events and campaigns
● Ensure sponsor benefits, such as logo placement on marketing materials, are being fulfilled
● Work with Executive Director on fundraising direct mail campaigns to assist on the creative development
Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as journalism, public relations or communications
● 2-4 years of relevant professional experience in communications and/or marketing, preferably in a nonprofit organization
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
● Proficiency with Canva and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and related analytics
● Familiarity with CMS platforms and basic HTML (WordPress, etc.)
● Knowledge of CRMs, with Bloomerang being a plus
● Proven results in creating and implementing marketing and communications plans
● Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to edit, proofread, and ensure the accuracy of finished work products
● Must possess a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations
● Must maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances
● Outstanding time management skills with an ability to be responsive to revisions and meet deadlines
● Ability to take initiative, be resourceful, and exhibit a problem-solving mindset, and a desire to learn new skills
● An understanding of or interest in the rare disease space and patient advocacy organizations