Director, Marketing & Communication Services

Smithbucklin
, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Director, Marketing & Communications to join our team in our Chicago office
.

The Director, Marketing & Communications, is a senior leader responsible for using data, marketing technology and marketing strategy to identify and drive opportunities for client growth. Working as part of a client leadership team, this individual will translate organizational priorities, audience insights and performance data into focused growth strategies and measurable action plans. The role will have particular emphasis on increasing brand awareness, membership, member engagement, participation in programs and events, revenue and organizational reach.

The individual will be directly engaged in advancing client priorities; including identifying opportunities, shaping strategy, mobilizing cross-functional resources, monitoring results and adjusting approaches based on performance. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with deep marketing strategy experience and a demonstrated ability to turn insight into action and measurable growth.

At Smithbucklin
, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness
, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.

• Partner with executive director and client leadership team to translate the organization's strategic priorities into integrated marketing, communications, brand and audience-growth strategies.
• Lead strategies to grow, engage and retain members and expand participation in programs, events, products and other revenue-generating opportunities.
• Advance the organization's brand, reputation and industry influence through thought leadership, media relations, content strategy, strategic partnerships and other external visibility initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership for the organization's website, digital experience and owned communications channels, ensuring they support members’ needs, organizational priorities and future growth.
• Partner across membership, education, technology, conferences, regions, committees and other stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and consistent client experience and brand.
• Use audience insights, segmentation, marketing technology and performance data to strengthen personalization, improve conversion and inform marketing investment.
• Develop and manage client marketing budgets, including tracking and reporting.
• Manage and provide day-to-day direction to team members, ensuring clear priorities, appropriate workload allocation, quality of work and alignment with client objectives.
• Support the professional development and growth of team members through coaching, regular feedback, performance guidance and identification of opportunities to build skills and take on increased responsibility.

• Thrive in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment and is energized by achieving results through partnership, shared accountability and the collective contributions of others.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to influence, align and work across teams to advance goals, recognizing that success in this role depends on collaboration rather than individual contribution alone.
• Excel in a fast-paced environment with the ability to shift gears quickly and manage expectations and priorities proactively.
• Gain professional satisfaction being accountable for work from inception through completion…