Pimp This Job: Director of Communications and Marketing, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in the county, serving over 500 members as their advocate to government and the community to strengthen the local economy. If you have a passion for business and civic related issues, and you want to bring your writing and marketing savvy to a team of dedicated, hardworking professionals this opportunity may be for you.

The Director of Communications and Marketing creates and disseminates all messaging from the Chamber and supports staff with effective written and oral communications. You need to be able to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking work environment, and enjoy working with a high-energy staff. The Chamber is a 501c6 business advocacy nonprofit membership organization with 60 Board of Directors and 9 staff.

Individual must be a self-starter with proven experience in mission-oriented message development and strategic communications. Must be member-services minded, organized, detail oriented and a problem solver. Public policy experience and knowledge of Montgomery County, Maryland issues preferred. Individual must be intellectually curious, possess superior verbal and written communications skills and be able to synthesize information quickly to produce summaries of that information for distribution. Ability to meet deadlines is critical. Ability to manage web-based, electronic communication is necessary. Individual must be energetic, outgoing, a team player and enjoy managing many projects at one time, primarily in an electronic environment.

Reporting relationships: Direct report to President and CEO. Direct Assist to Executive VP and VP Public Affairs. Supports Directors of Membership and Events, Programs and the Foundation.

Job responsibilities include:

-- Media Relations: Build and manage relationships with local media including web-based, print, television and radio. Secure coverage of events and strategic placement of quotes, editorials, letters to the editor opinion pieces and press releases.

-- Web-based Marketing and Communications: Manage marketing to and communications with the MCCC Membership, press and public through MCCC website and electronic communications.

-- Written Marketing and Communications: Manage content for website, press releases, speeches, interviews and event talking points for Chamber President, staff, Board Chair and Board members. Write persuasively consistent with the Chamber’s Vision 2030 economic development advocacy for print, broadcast or web posting. Create ‘Advertorials’ for The Business Gazette.

-- Event Broadcast and Visual Communications: Coordinate production of the COMCAST “Red Carpet” for each signature event. Work with other broadcast and visual media to cover events. Coordinate and secure all event photography for documentation, press and marketing uses.

-- Public Relations: Develop and execute strategy to promote Chamber programs and the newly formed Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation.

-- Event Marketing, Scripts and Program Books: Produce scripts for the Chamber’s three signature events: Public Safety Awards, Annual Dinner, and Business Awards Dinner. Manage receipt of event program book content including program schedule, bios, program elements, ads, photographs, etc. Assist Director of Events to coordinate event production consultants, as needed. Create PowerPoint presentations for event broadcast.

-- Program Support: Create event program guide for annual Congressional Procurement Conference and Expo and event flyers for electronic and print distribution including: Prospective and New Member Orientations, Legislative Breakfast, Chamber After Hours, Golf and Tennis Tournaments, GovConNet, Eco Committee and Health and Wellness. Photograph guests at monthly committee meetings. Retain and update Board of Directors photographs and bios. Receive and retain business logos for sponsors and partners.

Candidates must submit 5 samples of their writing, promotion and advertising work. For more information, visit our website or call President and CEO Gigi Godwin at (301) 738-0015, ext. 208.