Description

About Next Door

Next Door supports the intellectual, physical and emotional development of children by partnering with their families for success in school and the community. We are committed to ensuring Milwaukee's youngest learners and their families have access to high-quality early childhood education, family support and resources that help them thrive.

There has never been a better time to work at Next Door. As we look toward the future, we are building on a strong foundation while thinking differently about how we tell our story, engage our community and position Next Door for what comes next. This is an opportunity to join an organization doing important work for Milwaukee's children and families and to play a meaningful role in shaping how that work is seen, understood and supported.

We are looking for a Marketing Manager who can help tell that story, and make sure the right people hear it.

Position Overview

Hybrid, with a minimum of three days per week on-site.

The Marketing Manager leads the planning, coordination and execution of Next Door's agency-wide marketing and communications efforts. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this position translates organizational priorities into compelling, coordinated communications that strengthen Next Door's brand, increase awareness, support enrollment and workforce recruitment, engage donors and community partners, and position Next Door as a leader in early childhood education.

This is both a strategic and hands-on management role. The Marketing Manager will establish priorities, manage an integrated marketing calendar, develop messaging and content, oversee digital communications and media relations, and coordinate marketing projects from concept through completion.

The Marketing Manager supervises the Visual Media Specialist and manages relationships with external marketing vendors, consultants, freelancers and contractors. The successful candidate knows how to bring together internal talent and outside expertise to produce high-quality work on time, on brand and within budget.

Just as importantly, this is a role that requires connection to the organization. Great marketing at Next Door starts with knowing what is happening in our classrooms, programs, hallways and community. The Marketing Manager needs to build relationships across the organization, recognize stories and opportunities as they emerge, and have a strong understanding of the experiences of our children, families and staff.

For that reason, Next Door supports a hybrid work model for this position, with a minimum expectation of three days per week working on-site. Some weeks or projects will require additional in-person presence based on organizational needs, events, media opportunities or other priorities. We value flexibility, but we also want our Marketing Manager to be on the pulse of what is happening at Next Door.

We are looking for someone who is an excellent writer, an organized project manager, a thoughtful collaborator and a creative problem-solver who can move comfortably between big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy & Planning

Develop and manage Next Door's agency-wide marketing and communications strategy in partnership with the Chief of Staff and organizational leadership.
Translate organizational priorities into clear marketing objectives, audiences, messages, tactics, timelines and measures of success.
Develop and maintain an integrated annual marketing and communications calendar across programs, enrollment, fundraising, recruitment, events and major organizational initiatives.
Identify opportunities to strengthen Next Door's visibility, reputation and engagement with families, donors, partners and the broader Milwaukee community.
Monitor marketing trends, audience needs and communication channels and recommend new approaches when appropriate.

Marketing Campaigns & Project Management

Lead marketing campaigns supporting priorities including program enrollment, family engagement, employee recruitment, fundraising, community awareness and special initiatives.
Manage projects from initial concept through delivery, establishing scope, responsibilities, timelines, approvals and deadlines.
Coordinate work across departments to ensure marketing projects have the information, materials and internal participation necessary for success.
Balance multiple concurrent projects while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
Develop systems and workflows that make it easy for departments to request and collaborate on marketing support.

Vendor & Contractor Management

Identify when outside expertise or capacity is needed and coordinate the use of marketing agencies, consultants, photographers, videographers, writers, printers, digital partners and other contractors.
Develop clear scopes of work, project expectations, timelines and deliverables for outside partners.
Serve as Next Door's primary point of contact for assigned marketing vendors and contractors.
Review vendor work for quality, accuracy, brand alignment and effectiveness.
Coordinate contracts, invoices and project budgets in partnership with appropriate internal departments.
Ensure Next Door receives strong value and high-quality results from external marketing investments.

Staff Leadership & Creative Direction

Supervise, coach and support the Visual Media Specialist, establishing priorities and ensuring visual communications align with agency strategy.
Provide creative direction for design, photography, video, print, signage, publications and other visual materials while empowering the Visual Media Specialist to lead visual execution.
Establish clear project responsibilities between internal staff and external partners.
Provide regular feedback, professional development and performance management for direct reports.
Foster a collaborative, responsive and service-oriented marketing function.

Brand, Messaging & Storytelling

Serve as a steward of the Next Door brand, ensuring consistency in voice, messaging and visual identity across the organization.
Develop key messages that reinforce Next Door's mission, strategic priorities and leadership in early childhood education.
Write and edit compelling content for a range of audiences and channels.
Identify stories that demonstrate Next Door's impact and build systems for gathering stories from children, families, alumni, staff, volunteers, donors and community partners.
Interview story subjects and develop written content for marketing, fundraising, media and organizational communications.
Review and proofread major external-facing materials for accuracy, clarity, grammar and brand consistency.
Help staff across the organization communicate about Next Door clearly and consistently.

Digital & Social Media

Lead Next Door's social and digital media strategy, including content planning, audience development and engagement.
Manage the agency's editorial calendar and coordinate content development with the Visual Media Specialist, program staff and other internal contributors.
Oversee agency social media channels and ensure timely, engaging and mission-aligned content.
Manage website content and updates, working with internal staff and external vendors as appropriate.
Coordinate email marketing and other digital communications.
Monitor digital performance and provide regular reporting on reach, engagement and other meaningful measures.
Use data and analytics to continually improve content and channel strategy.

Media & Public Relations

Develop and maintain productive relationships with local media and other external communications partners.
Identify opportunities to elevate Next Door's programs, expertise, families, staff and community impact.
Draft press releases, media statements, talking points and other public-facing communications.
Coordinate media inquiries, interviews and on-site media visits.
Work with leadership to prepare spokespeople for interviews and public appearances.
Ensure appropriate permissions and releases are secured when children and families are featured.

Organizational Partnership

Be a visible and engaged presence across Next Door, regularly connecting with programs, classrooms, staff and organizational activities to understand what is happening and identify opportunities for storytelling and engagement.
Build strong working relationships with program leaders and frontline staff to understand Next Door's services, families, activities and accomplishments.
Partner with Development on donor communications, fundraising campaigns, stewardship materials and events.
Partner with Human Resources on employer branding and recruitment marketing.
Partner with program teams on enrollment, family recruitment and community engagement campaigns.
Support executive leadership with presentations, talking points and strategic communications as needed.
Assist with major agency events, presentations and special projects.
Positively represent Next Door's mission, vision, values and programs in the community.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

The strongest candidates will bring a combination of marketing expertise, writing ability, project management skills and sound judgment. They will be comfortable setting direction while also rolling up their sleeves when needed. They will also be naturally curious - someone who wants to know what is happening throughout the organization and understands that the best stories and marketing opportunities often come from relationships, observation and being present.

We recognize that great candidates do not always check every box in a job posting. If you are excited about this opportunity, believe in Next Door's mission, and bring many of the skills and experiences we are looking for, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every qualification listed below. We are interested in what you can bring to the role, how you approach the work, and your potential to grow with Next Door.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
Approximately 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations or a related field.
Experience managing complex marketing projects involving multiple stakeholders, deadlines and deliverables.
Experience supervising employees and/or directing the work of agencies, consultants, freelancers or contractors.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies and campaigns.
Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills, including the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and channels.
Strong understanding of social media, digital marketing, email communications and website content management.
Demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to evaluate marketing performance and improve results.
Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
Ability to provide effective creative direction without needing to personally execute every aspect of design or production.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with frontline staff, organizational leaders, community partners, families, volunteers and vendors.
High degree of initiative, judgment and follow-through.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and familiarity with contemporary marketing, social media, project management and digital communication platforms.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to work on-site a minimum of three days per week, with additional in-person availability as organizational needs require.
Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends for events, media opportunities or other organizational needs.
Ability to travel between Next Door sites and to community meetings and events.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and required automobile insurance.

Preferred Experience

Experience in a nonprofit, education, early childhood, human services or mission-driven organization.
Experience supporting both organizational marketing and fundraising/development communications.
Experience managing marketing budgets and vendor relationships.
Experience with paid digital advertising, search marketing or audience targeting.
Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or similar creative tools is helpful, although this position is not intended to serve as Next Door's primary graphic designer.
Experience managing or contributing to organizational websites and email marketing platforms.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Marketing Manager will help Next Door:

Present a consistent, compelling brand across every audience and communication channel.
Develop a more proactive and coordinated approach to marketing rather than responding project by project.
Increase awareness of Next Door and its leadership in early childhood education.
Strengthen marketing support for enrollment, fundraising and employee recruitment.
Tell more compelling stories about children, families, staff and organizational impact.
Ensure the marketing function stays closely connected to the day-to-day work and culture of Next Door.
Use internal staff, vendors and contractors strategically and efficiently.
Establish clear priorities and workflows for marketing requests and projects.
Use measurable results to continually improve Next Door's communications and marketing efforts.
Build a strong, collaborative marketing team that delivers excellent work across the organization.

Work Environment & Hybrid Schedule

Next Door believes flexibility and connection can coexist. The Marketing Manager is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of three days per week working on-site at Next Door. Specific remote and on-site schedules will be established with the Chief of Staff and may vary based on meetings, events, organizational priorities and business needs.

Because this role is responsible for telling Next Door's story, we believe presence matters. The Marketing Manager should expect to spend meaningful time throughout our organization—connecting with staff, visiting programs, observing activities and understanding firsthand the work happening every day.

The position operates primarily in an office and child-centered educational environment and includes frequent interaction with staff, children, families, community members and external partners. The position requires occasional travel between Next Door locations and community events and may include occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Application Requirements

To be considered for the Marketing Manager position, applicants must submit both of the following:

A current resume or CV.
A cover letter describing their interest in the position and how their experience aligns with the opportunity at Next Door.

Applications that do not include both a resume/CV and a cover letter will not be considered.

University of Northwestern, St. Paul

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