Marketing & Communications Director

Summary:

The Marketing & Communications Director is a key member of the Advancement Department, collaborating closely with fundraising, grants, and donor engagement teams. This role leads the development and execution of integrated brand, marketing, and communications strategies to drive earned and contributed revenue.

The Director oversees all external communications, ensuring campaigns support organizational growth, fundraising, and mission impact. By strengthening visibility and driving engagement, this position plays a critical role in increasing financial support through strategic, data-driven marketing and cross-departmental collaboration.

This position will help shape the direction and success of ASLC’s new Advancement Department.

This is an onsite position located in Seward, AK requiring occasional travel and weekend work. Willing to consider hybrid, with majority of time spent onsite.

Education/Training Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field, with at least 8 years of progressively responsible experience. Must have expertise in digital marketing, content development, and brand management. Proven experience leading teams, managing cross-functional projects, and executing campaigns that drive both earned and contributed revenue. Strong background in overseeing social media, website management, and multimedia content. Experience working with external consultants and vendors is required.

Preferred: Knowledge of SEO, SEM, paid digital advertising, donor cultivation, sponsorship development, and proficiency with Google Analytics, Meta Business Suite, and other business intelligence platforms.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Advancement Integration

• Serve as a senior leader within the Advancement Dept, partnering within and beyond the Advancement Department to advance shared revenue and engagement goals.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing and communications strategy aligned with Advancement priorities and organizational objectives.
• Translate organizational goals into clear marketing plans that support fundraising campaigns, earned-revenue initiatives, advocacy efforts, and audience growth.
• Provide strategic insight by using analytics, audience data, and market research to guide decision-making.

Marketing & Communications

• Lead all aspects of marketing and communications, including brand management, messaging, content strategy, digital and email marketing, social media, advertising, events promotion, and storytelling.
• Oversee the production of print and digital collateral, including impact reports, donor communications, newsletters, and press releases.
• Set strategic direction and creative vision for community engagement and advocacy campaigns.
• Guide branding, promotion, and audience engagement strategies for organizational events.
• Manage media relations and coordinate press outreach as needed.
• Revenue Generation
• Partner with the Guest Experience team to drive earned revenue.
• Collaborate with development staff to support contributed revenue through integrated fundraising campaigns, sponsorships, donor acquisition, stewardship, and grant communications.
• Lead creation of compelling narratives and materials that clearly articulate impact and value to donors, sponsors, and partners.

Social Media & Digital Strategy

• Oversee the organization’s digital presence, including website content, SEO/SEM strategies, and email campaigns.
• Develop a dynamic social media strategy that increases engagement, supports fundraising initiatives, and elevates mission storytelling.
• Monitor and analyze digital performance metrics, using insights to optimize content, campaigns, and audience targeting.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise marketing, communications, and events staff, contractors, and vendors, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance management.
• Foster strong collaboration across departments to ensure messaging alignment and support programmatic and fundraising priorities.
• Manage marketing budgets, timelines, and project workflows, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely execution of initiatives

Misc.

• Complies with all Alaska SeaLife Center policies, procedures, and programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.