Director of Marketing & Communications

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy.

The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Director of Marketing serves as a senior leader on the MarComm team and is responsible for supporting and executing ACA’s executive marketing strategy. This individual supports the ACA’s broader strategic objectives by building awareness and strengthening message consistency. This is a high-visibility leadership role for a marketing professional who thrives in a mission-driven, fast-paced, and public-facing environment. The Marketing Director will play a critical role in advancing the ACA’s reputation, amplifying its story, and ensuring marketing efforts are tightly aligned with strategic business objectives

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development, integration, and implementation of the ACA’s marketing and communications strategy.
• Direct business development and business attraction proposal workflow and project management strategy.
• Develop and manage annual and long-range marketing and media plans, goals, KPIs, budgets, and reporting.
• Identify marketing opportunities and support strategic planning through research, analysis, and execution.
• Establish and maintain consistent brand standards, and ACA agency messaging and voice across all channels, materials, and events.
• Oversee the creation and delivery of marketing, communications, trade show, and event materials and initiatives, working with internal staff and outside vendors as needed.
• Manage advertising agency partner which includes budget oversight and prioritizing projects.
• Partner with Business Development and International to support coordination and execution of marketing activities including signature events, delegations, and key client initiatives.
• Partner with Venture Development, Small Business, Broadband, Workforce, Rural, and Infrastructure teams to promote programs, launch new initiatives, and support key events.
• Oversee ACA website and email marketing efforts.
• Provide leadership of people and performance – to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines while managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to work outside of regular business hours, e.g., on occasional nights and weekends.
  
  

COMPETENCY, EDUCATIONAL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field of study; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in a senior-level marketing or communications role, including responsibility for traditional and digital marketing efforts, events, and paid media.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic marketing planning and execution.
• Proven ability to set priorities, create accountability, and maintain high standards across a small, fast-moving team.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively across audiences.
• Experience leading staff and coordinating work across teams and vendors.
• Strong operational focus, problem-solving ability, and sound decision-making skills.
• Base compensation for this position is between $110k - $125k annualy, depending on experience.
  
  

HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Agency experience.
• Experience in economic development, public affairs, or a similarly stakeholder-driven environment.
• Proven track record of building meaningful relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders and the ability to manage large-scale programming from concept through fruition.
• Well-versed in always serving as an ambassador of the organization.
• High tolerance for ambiguity, service orientation, and an elevated level of humility for successful assimilation in our highly collaborative, entrepreneurial culture.
• Ability to gain credibility and establish the required relationships to influence and generate results; can quickly organize and influence teams to execute and deliver results.
• Successful record of managing multiple projects with demonstrated ability to work independently in rapidly changing environments.
• Self-starter; interested in contributing to a dynamic team a non-traditional approach.