Vice President of Marketing

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) is looking for a Vice President of Marketing and Communications for their corporate headquarters on South Charles Street. This role focuses on elevating Downtown’s Brand by highlighting measurable progress, new investments, and residential and business growth across all channels and marketing media. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role collaborates across all teams including Operations, Finance, Business Development and Economic Development to deliver effective messaging, engage stakeholders, and attract new investment in Downtown and DPOB. The successful candidate will lead a team that drives the narrative of the organization, ensures quality control and consistency of visual and non-visual storytelling, and serves as a collaborative resource to key Downtown constituencies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The Vice President of Marketing & Communications is responsible for creating and implementing strategic and measurable communications and marketing initiatives and tactics, including advertising campaigns, events strategy, and media relations, with the aim of increasing visibility and awareness of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Downtown Management Authority, in support of the strategy vision, purpose and annual goals of the organization. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

• Creating and overseeing the execution of an annual marketing and communications plan, including a long-term strategy for growing a community of advocates for the DPOB brand, its mission and impact.
• Building a high-performing marketing team and ensuring effective coordination with other DPOB teams and delivery of key metrics.
• Overseeing all email marketing functions, including design, production, list management, and analytics.
• Devising and implementing external storytelling through the creation of robust, brand-forward digital marketing campaigns across all channels, including a focus on, but not limited to, podcasting, webinars, email marketing, social media, Downtown Partnership website, IKE digital kiosks, large format signs, and new market development.
• Implementing strategies for project management and overseeing all brand assets including video, photography, logos, brand marks, etc.
• Collaborating with the Vice President of Economic Development on annual reports to include State of Downtown, Downtown Development Report and Real Estate Activity Reports.
• Collaborating with Business Development on pitch decks, presentations and events.
• Collaborating with Operations to highlight impact.
• Managing press and media alerts, oversees Public Relations contractor while building relationships with media and stakeholders.
• Implementing and maintaining a data-first approach, ensuring a measurement and reporting infrastructure for social media, web, and email marketing, including monthly analytic reports for team review, strategy and planning.
• Assessing effectiveness of programs and growth of new media audiences, event attendance and improved perceptions about Downtown.
• Supporting Leadership team by preparing marketing metrics, presentations and Board reports quarterly or on an ad hoc basis.
• Working across teams to ensure that marketing and promotional plans drive brand growth and engagement among key stakeholders.
• Responsibility for all program activities to include required resources, proposed contracts, financial timeline and budget considerations, staffing requirements and related vendors, contractors or consultants.
• Working with partner organizations to ensure DPOB and partner marketing programs are coordinated and integrated with other Downtown initiatives (e.g. BOPA, Visit Baltimore, Live Baltimore, etc.).
• Managing department and project budgets, and ensuring accuracy and payment of invoices related to all activities of Marketing & Communications
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field is required, master's degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the Marketing and Communications fields with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior management role. 
• Experience managing diverse teams and collaborating across departments.
• Experience with planning and executing public events, including media events.
• Proven track record of delivering effective marketing initiatives and activities that reflect the diversity of the community.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated relationship and management experience in a Small and Mid-sized Enterprise.
• Proven ability to identify, target and reach multiple audience segments using a variety of tools, creative tactics and media channels
• Ability to establish and maintain credibility and trustworthiness, and to serve as a thought partner to leadership.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills – written, oral and presentation, and a proactive and collaborative disposition.
• The VP will be actively involved in hands-on event management and community engagement, requiring strong multitasking and time-management skills.
• High-level decision-making and strategic planning are essential, often requiring on-the-spot decisions during events or meetings. The role demands the ability to balance long-term strategy with immediate operational needs.
• The role requires excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Competency with the following software platforms is required, and proficiency is preferred.
  • Wordpress, Google Analytics, Canva, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Adobe Suite, Salesforce, SmugMug.
  • Sharepoint (primary), Google Drive (secondary), Dropbox (as needed).
  • Social Media - Meta, LinkedIn, Twitter, Hootsuite, CapCut, linktree, Zoom, Teams, Google Meet
  • Bill.com (Financial), CyberSource (Financial)
  • FormAssembly, MapDash (have login, don't use much), International Downtown Association, Visit Baltimore Partner Network
  • Ad Portals for BBJ, BMag, etc.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours

• Downtown Partnership offers a dynamic work environment where internal and external relationships are valued.
• Actively involved within the city to attend meetings, events, and engage with stakeholders. The VP of Marketing & Communications will split time between the office and various locations within the business district.
• The job primarily is exempt level and operates during normal business hours, but requires flexibility, with work hours extending into evenings and weekends, especially during peak times or major events.
• Extensive face-to-face communication with various stakeholders, including community leaders, business owners, and media.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life and disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.