Director of Marketing and Public Relations

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is partnering with Dragonfly Central to recruit the Director of Marketing and Public Relations. This is an exciting new opportunity to build and execute The Arc’s communications strategies and support the strategic growth of The Arc and its subsidiaries.

The Arc’s mission is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live the lives they choose by creating opportunities, promoting respect and equity, and providing access to services. We seek a strategic individual to serve as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations as we continue to grow throughout the region. This position requires a candidate who is able to build strong relationships with media and other stakeholders and who is able execute a broader vision with attention to detail.

The Organization

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) was founded in 1961 to provide services and supports to people with IDD in Anne Arundel County, MD. We now proudly create over 1,330 opportunities for people with IDD across Anne Arundel and Maryland’s Eastern Shore and deliver financial management services to nearly 2,000 people with disabilities who choose to self-direct their services in Maryland.

We are a dynamic regional organization providing person-centered supports for people with IDD to live, work, and connect with their communities. We advocate for equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives and foster opportunities towards self-sufficiency.

Our Core Values are evident in all aspects of our programs and services. These values are:

• We embrace individuality– We see the whole person, celebrate our differences, and offer the people we serve and our team opportunities tailored to them.
• We are heart-driven – Every interaction matters to us; we go the extra mile to care for the people we serve and our team.
• We take strategic risks – Fueled by the urgency of our mission, we continually push for better and more innovative approaches.
• We are action-oriented – We are creative, resourceful, and have a “get it done” approach to overcoming challenges.
• We promote equity and respect – We value the different identities and experiences of the people and communities we work with, and we build respectful relationships to meet them where they are.

Over the last five years, The Arc has transformed how services are delivered, how leaders at every level work together, and deepened our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the last year, The Arc partnered with employees from across the organization and within the community to develop value statements (above) that reflect who we are as an organization and how we approach our work. This collaborative process is just one example of how The Arc invites leaders at every level to share their voice and make decisions from a place of confidence, support, and ownership. With a growing team of nearly 500 employees, culture is an important part of The Arc’s everyday operations and experience. We aim to create an environment where people and their talents can flourish – from direct service to customer service to governance.

For more information about The Arc, see www.thearcccr.org.

The Position

The Director of Marketing & Public Relations will build and execute communications strategies to support the strategic growth of The Arc and its subsidiaries. The Director of Marketing & Public Relations will work with key stakeholders internally and externally to elevate The Arc’s public profile. This position will collaborate with and provide hands on communications support to key leaders and subject matter experts across the organization. In partnership with the President & CEO and Vice President of Advancement, this role will serve as the official spokesperson for The Arc. The Director of Marketing & Public Relations will be a member of the Leadership Council.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Director of Marketing & Public Relations will report to the Vice President of Advancement. This position is full-time in-office at The Arc’s headquarters in Linthicum, MD and some nights and weekend hours will be required based on the organization’s needs. The Director will also:

• With the Digital Communications Manager and the Editorial Content Writer, develop and maintain an integrated editorial calendar that supports communications strategies for both The Arc and Chesapeake Neighbors.
• Create compelling content that transforms complex data into a simple, visual story that ultimately influences decision makers.
• Work collaboratively with the Vice President of Advancement, the External Relations team, and relevant stakeholders to execute communications strategies and develop campaigns and messaging that reaches and influences internal and external target audiences and supports organizational strategic goals.
• Project manage key campaigns working relevant internal and external stakeholders to deliver assets on time, and on-budget.
• Evaluate the success of campaigns and communications channels and make strategic recommendations for improvement.
• Act as the organizational brand gatekeeper, and partner closely with key leaders throughout the organization to ensure the integrity of one voice and message.
• Support organizational graphic design needs and manage external design consultant(s).
• Elevate The Arc’s public profile in the region through a combination of key articles, feature stories, editorials, and awards with a target of one award application and key story per month.
• Serve as The Arc’s primary media contact; Develop and maintain strong relationships with local and regional media.
• Facilitate writing, editing, and pitching of news releases, media alerts, and relevant communications.
• Manage and coach assigned employees and consultants.

Other Functions:

• Keep up to date on current communications trends in the disability and nonprofit fields through professional development and community/civic involvement.
• Support and collaborate with key leaders and the Chief of Staff on public policy and advocacy efforts.
• Assist in engagement activities and organizational events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience and Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, marketing, or related field required; Master’s degree is a plus
• Five years of communication and organizational writing experience with deep knowledge in communications; specifically, messaging, social media. and marketing strategies are required.
• Natural storyteller with excellent speaking, writing, and editing skills; Ability to easily distill messages into believable, actionable content
• Deep communications expertise that and spans both external (stakeholder, influencer, stakeholder) and internal disciplines
• Strong business knowledge with a demonstrated ability to understand business strategy and how to use communications to drive that strategy
• Demonstrated ability to quickly build trust and influence with leaders and collaborators at all levels
• Ability to work autonomously, in ambiguous situations with little direction, running toward problems without being asked; solutions oriented.
• Ability to remain flexible, calm under pressure and adaptive to change as priorities shift, being a model and resource for employees
• Experience working across cultural, geographic, and programmatic lines to positively support person(s) served
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher), WordPress, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter); knowledge of CRM databases preferred

The salary for this position is $95K per year. The Arc offers a competitive total rewards package. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday during The Arc office hours with occasional night and weekend meeting or events. This position is eligible for periodic telework.

Application Process

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is partnering with Dragonfly Central to find the best candidate for the Director position. To apply, email a cover letter that details your fit with the position’s requirements and a chronological resume to [email protected] . For all other inquiries, contact Ginna Goodenow at [email protected] .

The Arc is an equal opportunity employer. The Arc provides equal opportunity to all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex/gender, national origin, age, marital status, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The Arc Central Chesapeake Region is proud of its commitment to and celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout all aspects of its operations, vision, mission, and leadership.

Dragonfly Central, Inc. on behalf of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region