City of Havre de Grace – Chief of Main Street and Brand Marketing

Position Summary

The Chief of Main Street and Brand Marketing position resides within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.  As a pivotal leadership role, the Chief of Main Street and Brand Marketing will manage the Havre de Grace Main Street Program and create and execute marketing strategies and campaigns for the City of Havre de Grace. This collaborative approach ensures the cohesive development and promotion of the downtown business district, local attractions and marketing the entirety of the City of Havre de Grace and its various programs, projects and events. The role’s essential duties also encompass grant writing, public relations, and community outreach.

The Chief of Main Street and Brand Marketing will assist in the planning and implementation of programs and policies that support Economic Development strategies for the entire city.  Strategic Planning & Implementation, Business Attraction & Recruitment and Business Retention & Expansion are the core principles of Economic Development in the city.

We are searching for a uniquely talented individual with an ability to write a compelling and inspiring product story.  Our brand needs a master storyteller who can inform the public through written and visual content about our Main Street Program and all the wonderful projects taking place in the city.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/JOB TASKS: (Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions)

1. Follow the Main Street approach as a tool for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization.  The Main Street approach includes Design, Organization, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, Clean, Safe, and Green.
2. Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance the Main Street Program.
3. Act as liaison with Main Street America and Main Street Maryland.
4. Attend annual Main Street and Tourism Conferences.
5. Attend Main Street, Tourism and Economic Development Committee and Board meetings.
6. Attend city events (day, evening, weekends and holidays)
7. Work collaboratively with city leadership to develop strategies and messaging that effectively tell the story of the city.
8. Assist with the development of a strategic roadmap that integrates targeted marketing tactics aimed at business attraction and business retention.
9. Manage editorial calendars, social media accounts, schedule posts including content creation. Coordinate/source marketing materials that support new and existing business needs, including promotional giveaways, print and digital tools.
10. Build, maintain and manage vendor relations aligning with department marketing priorities. Develop department press releases and/or media pitches that speak to current activities, initiatives and programming.
11. Assist in the development and promotion of programs and initiatives that support small business growth, start-ups, and entrepreneurial ventures.
12. Identify key industry sectors for growth and target businesses for attraction and expansion.
13. When called upon, the Chief of Main Street and Brand Marketing will attend meetings and events in the absence of the Director of Economic Development and Tourism.
14. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Economic Development and Tourism.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Strong public speaking ability.
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to transpose technical language for public consumption desirable.
3. Demonstrated success with social media design and content creation. Analytical skills to interpret data and metrics.
4. Ability to bring innovative ideas, be flexible in strategy, and be receptive to constructive feedback
5. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision or collaboratively as part of a team with colleagues and leadership.
6. Being detail oriented, effective time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently are keys to success in this position.
7. Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
8. Knowledge of grant research and grant writing.
9. Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteers.
10. Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

1. Knowledge of the Maryland Main Street Program and the Main Street America Program.
2. Knowledge of travel, hospitality & tourism industry, marketing principles and event planning.  Knowledge of the layout of the city, including tourist attractions.
3. Experience in creating digital content to include text, audio, video, images, graphics and web-based content.
4. Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, communications, business administration, public relations, hospitality management or other related fields from an accredited college or university.
5. Minimum of 7 years of experience in a work-related field.
6. Computer skills — Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, database and related software to effectively complete a variety of administrative tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy. Proficiency in MS Office.
7. Digital submission of a marketing portfolio preferred. (Social media posts, marketing campaigns, newsletter, brochure, event flyers, radio ads etc.)

OTHER RELATED FACTORS: 

1. Must possess a valid driver’s license
2. While conducting site evaluations, it is exposed to conditions including bad weather and rough terrain.
3. Flexible to work some weekends, mornings, and evenings at the Visitor Center and city events.

Havre de Grace is a city in Harford County, Maryland, situated at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Havre de Grace’s location makes it popular for recreation and tourism, and the City was honored as one of America’s 20 best small towns to visit in 2014 by Smithsonian magazine.

The City of Havre de Grace, Maryland, is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online application!

The City of Havre de Grace, Maryland, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Company-paid Short and long-term disability insurance
• Company-paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Pension Plan
• Personal time
• Sick Time
• Vacation time
• Vision Insurance
• Voluntary life, AD&D, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance