Marketing and Public Relations Manager

Department: Marketing and Communications

Relationships:            

·       Reports to: Director of Marketing & Communications

·       Partners with: Visual/Digital Communications Manager                                                     

Location:  Primary Office in Norristown, Pennsylvania with occasional weekends and overnight travel throughout Pennsylvania due to event participation.

Position Summary:

Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) seeks an enthusiastic, creative and hardworking Marketing and Public Relations Manager to assist in the planning and execution of its annual marketing and communications plan. The Marketing & Public Relations Manager will help lead and execute social media content plans – including creating a content calendar, monitoring all engagement across SOPA’s channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube), covering live events and more. Additionally, this position will assist with the development of strategies for PR, advertising, and digital marketing. Essential to this position is the ability to establish and expand brand recognition throughout the state.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Create unique content, post and manage engagement for all of SOPA’s social media channels, especially during major competition and fundraising events. Ensure that voice and content is consistent across all platforms and place a heavy emphasis on the fun/exciting work Special Olympics does through our social media channels.
• Partner with the Visual/Digital Communications Manager to create strategic digital media plans to support brand objectives.
• Develop, maintain and enhance strong relationships with members of the media throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the regions that SOPA serves.
• Utilize SOPA’s media calendar to develop and pitch stories to media outlets. Write and disseminate press releases and media advisories for newsworthy events; Work with staff to identify and vet appropriate spokespersons for stories.
• Identify opportunities to promote and publicize regional initiatives, programs and events; and leverage organizational milestones.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues to identify media opportunities and work jointly on campaigns.
• Manage adherence to organization branding standards and how it is reflected in all internal and external e-communications.
• Maintain accurate records regarding media impressions and advertisement placements, creating reports to help measure success.

·       Provide support in the areas of development and communications at state and sectional competitions, which may include managing and guiding Opening Ceremonies presentations when necessary and coordinating efforts with Games Organizing Committees.

·       Participate in SOPA’s annual strategic planning process as it pertains to marketing and communications.

·       Other duties as assigned by the Director of Marketing & Communications.

·       Exceptional communication skills with a particular emphasis on writing skills

·       Self-starter, motivated daily by communicating SOPA’s vision and messaging to a variety of audiences

·       Well-organized, able to operate on a schedule, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously

·       Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills

·       Graphic design skills needed for designing and creating basic artwork for social media, website, e-newsletters, and other communications materials

·       Availability to take photographs/video on any given day (weekends & evenings) whether on-site or at special events

·       Excellent relationship skills including the ability to develop new relationships with members of the media

Education Experience:

·       Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communication, design, public relations or related field required

·       Minimum 3-5 years of experience in the field of communications or marketing preferred

·       Proficiency in a variety of software programs including Adobe Illustrator, Publisher, Photoshop, InDesign, and general image editing, etc., is a plus

·       Preferred specialized knowledge of web technologies, HTML, popular content management systems (WordPress, Joomla, Classy, etc.), graphics design and layout, computer file management

No phone calls will be accepted. Resumes sent for positions other than this posting will not receive a response. Communications from recruiters will not be acknowledged.

 Special Olympics Pennsylvania is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, neurodiversity, age, parental status, socio-economic background, military service, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves and can do their best work. 

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to 16,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For 50 years, SOPA and its 54 local programs have used the power of sports to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and unite everyone by fostering community and building a more acceptable and civil society. SOPA is much more than a sports organization. Through its Athlete Leadership Programs, athletes assume meaningful leadership roles, influence change within the Special Olympics movement and take on roles as Global Messengers (trained as public speakers for Special Olympics), athlete representatives, coaches, board members and more. SOPA also addresses major challenges facing its athletes including healthcare. The Healthy Athletes program offers athletes free health screenings in the form of eye, ear, dental and podiatry assessments. Athletes are also taught how to live active lifestyles, eat healthy and more. Additionally, SOPA strives to create a unified world by promoting inclusion, uniting communities, and changing attitudes. Through Unified Sports, SOPA brings together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities as equal teammates in training and competition, which promotes respect and acceptance, and facilitates meaningful relationships between people of all abilities. For more information about how you can join “The Inclusion Revolution,” visit www.specialolympicspa.org.

2023 Benefits

·       Vacation Days

o   Employees accrue vacation days on a quarterly basis but earned every calendar year. The length of time earned is determined by employee’s length of service.

·       Sick Days

o   Employees accrue vacation days on a quarterly basis but earned every calendar year. The length of time earned is determined by employee’s length of service.

·       9 Paid Holidays Per Year

·       2 Paid Holiday weeks

o   July 3-7, 2023

o   December 25-29, 2023

·       Insurance Plans

(Effective the first day of the month following date of hire)

o   Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

o   Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

o   Group Life Insurance

§  Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

§  Employee Life – 1 x Employee Annual Salary

·       Retirement Plan

o   5% Employer contribution

o   50% Matching Contribution up to 4%

o   The plan is effective the first day of the month following date of hire, however, employer contribution begins after you have satisfied one year of employment

(Effective the first day of the month following date of hire)

o   Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

o   Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

o   Group Life Insurance

§  Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

§  Employee Life – 1 x Employee Annual Salary

·       Retirement Plan

o   5% Employer contribution

o   50% Matching Contribution up to 4%

o   The plan is effective the first day of the month following date of hire, however, employer contribution begins after you have satisfied one year of employment

Serious applications will submit a cover letter, resume and samples of writing, media placements and social posts to careers@specialolympicspa.org.   

No phone calls will be accepted. Resumes sent for positions other than this posting will not receive a response. Communications from recruiters will not be acknowledged.