Marketing and Communications Manager

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• As the Marketing and Communications Manager, you will join a collaborative team of managers

• working across diverse programs and initiatives. You will lead UDP's marketing and communications

strategy, working closely with colleagues to advance the following priorities:

• Neighborhood Marketing and Promotion

• Lead district-wide branding and positioning for the U District as a place to visit, shop, dine,

• live, and do business.

• Develop and execute marketing campaigns that attract visitors, drive foot traffic, and support

• local businesses.

• Lead marketing and promotional efforts for UDP's signature events, festivals, and business

• promotions, collaborating with program managers to grow awareness, participation, and

• attendance.

• Partner with UDP's Economic Development Manager to develop marketing materials that

• showcase the district to prospective businesses, tenants, brokers, and investors.

• Conduct market research and track marketing trends to inform neighborhood branding,

• audience development, and promotional strategies.

• Organizational Communications and Storytelling

• Shape and communicate UDP's organizational narrative, highlighting its accomplishments,

• strategic priorities, partnerships, and community impact to strengthen understanding and

• support among stakeholders, funders, public officials, and the broader community.

• Lead media relations and public affairs communications, including developing media

• strategies, pitching stories, preparing news releases and talking points, responding to

• inquiries, and serving as a spokesperson when appropriate.

• Support the Executive Director, Board, and staff with strategic messaging, presentations,

• public statements, and communications related to emerging issues and opportunities.

• Collaborate with program managers to translate complex initiatives into accessible,

• engaging content that builds understanding of UDP's work and strengthens relationships

• with community partners.

• Support communications and engagement with UDP's boards, committees, businesses, and

• community partners, strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for meaningful

• participation.

• Communications Strategy and Execution

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for UDP

• and the U District BIA, establishing priorities, timelines, goals, and processes for coordinating

• communications across the organization.

• Lead a comprehensive redesign of UDP's websites, including content strategy, user

• experience, design, and coordination with external developers, while ensuring the sites

• remain engaging, accessible, and up to date.

• Manage UDP's digital communications channels, including social media, newsletters, and

• email marketing, with a focus on growing audiences, strengthening engagement, and

• measuring results.

• Lead content development and production, including writing, editing, photography, graphics,

• short-form video, and other visual storytelling tools.

• Maintain consistent and effective branding across UDP and BIA communications, developing

• templates, guidelines, and resources that support staff across program areas.

• Establish measurable communications goals and track performance through analytics,

• audience feedback, and other indicators, using insights to improve engagement, campaign

• effectiveness, and organizational impact.

• Manage relationships with outside creative professionals, vendors, and contractors as

• needed to support marketing and communications initiatives.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Core Competencies & Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic thinking, creative storytelling, technical

• expertise, and a collaborative approach to their work. We are seeking candidates with the following

qualifications

• Professional Experience – At least six years of experience in marketing, communications,

• public relations, or a related field, with demonstrated success developing and executing

• communications strategies and campaigns.

• Communications and Storytelling – Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication

• skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling content tailored to

• diverse audiences.

• Digital Marketing and Content Creation – Experience managing websites, social media, email

• marketing, and digital campaigns, with the ability to create engaging written and visual

• content using contemporary creative tools. Familiarity with SEO, analytics, paid digital

• advertising, and website redesign projects is valued.

• Media Relations – Experience working with journalists, developing media pitches and news

• releases, and securing earned media coverage. Familiarity with Seattle's media landscape is

• a plus.

• Strategic and Creative Thinking – Ability to develop long-term marketing strategies while

• managing the details of day-to-day communications, bringing creativity and a

• results-oriented approach to the work.

• Project Management – Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to

• independently manage multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Collaboration and Relationship Building – A positive, collegial approach to working with

• diverse colleagues, businesses, community members, public officials, and organizational

• partners, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and work effectively across teams.

• Leadership and Initiative – A self-directed professional who takes ownership of projects,

• anticipates needs, and approaches challenges with resourcefulness and a solutions-oriented

• mindset. Experience managing contractors, consultants, or staff is valued.

• Prioritization and Sound Judgment – Demonstrated ability to assess competing priorities,

• make thoughtful and timely decisions, and focus time and resources on the work that will

• have the greatest impact. Exercises sound judgment, balances strategic goals with

• immediate needs, and navigates ambiguity with confidence and discretion.

• Community and Place-Based Marketing – An understanding of how marketing, events, and

• communications contribute to neighborhood vitality, economic development, and community

• engagement. Experience with business improvement areas, neighborhood organizations, or

• similar place-based initiatives is a plus.

• Technical Proficiency - Experience using Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Cloud, and

• Microsoft Office, along with other digital marketing and content creation tools, is a plus.

• The position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support community events and

• festivals, including the U District Chow Down and U District Street Fair.