Associate State Director - Communications

AARP • Lincoln, NE

41d • $94,500 - $105,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP is seeking an Associate State Director - Communications for its Nebraska chapter, based in Lincoln. This role is responsible for leading integrated communications and marketing efforts to advance AARP's mission, increase brand awareness, and engage target audiences across the state. The position involves developing, implementing, and evaluating multi-channel communication strategies and campaigns using social media, digital communications, media relations, marketing, and content development. The Associate State Director will shape messaging, promote initiatives and events, and strengthen AARP's presence in Nebraska. This role also involves measuring campaign effectiveness, leading the design and production of communications materials, and collaborating with management and cross-functional teams to enhance communication processes and implement best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of significant experience in communications, public relations, marketing, media relations, digital communications or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated, multi-channel communications and marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness, audience engagement, and organizational impact.
• Solid expertise in social media and digital communications, including content strategy, audience growth, engagement, and analytics across multiple platforms.
• Experience creating compelling written and visual content for diverse audiences, including newsletters, web content, social media, marketing materials, advocacy communications, and stakeholder messaging.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills, with the ability to operate independently as the lead communications professional working collaboratively with cross-functional matrixed teams, managing complex and innovative projects.
• Demonstrated proficiency with digital communications tools, content management systems, social media management platforms, and emerging technologies, including a willingness to leverage AI-enabled tools to enhance communications effectiveness.
• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of communications strategies tailored for target audiences over multi-channel platforms, and execution of those efforts to inform, educate, and influence both internal and external audiences.
• Develops integrated communications strategies to reach key audiences, oversee implementation, and measure results.
• Develops message frameworks based on message research, including tailoring to diverse audiences.
• Develops and refines messaging to ensure organizational consistency in all aspects of communication.
• Leverages internal and external communication platforms to relay complicated content using storytelling, illustrations, and other consumable formats.
• Produces or collaborates on producing a variety of individual communications products for internal and external audiences, including designing, writing, editing, and/or publishing communications across social, digital, earned media and owned channels.
• Develops and executes integrated communications and marketing plans while providing day-to-day communications and marketing support and superior client service.
• Identifies and shares opportunities for public and media relations, thought leadership initiatives, social media, and digital tools that support programmatic objectives.
• Acts as day-to-day project manager for internal and external departmental communications efforts.
• Develops timelines to meet project commitments and to ensure deliverables from across the organization and external partners are on time.
• Works with management and partners in other departments to measure and report on program results, perform research and deliver findings, and understand and leverage segmentation data.
• Plans, organizes, and implements special assigned projects working with cross-functional teams.
• Determines objectives and execution, tracks progress towards milestones, establishes timelines, and evaluates progress.
• Establishes project communication plans and ensures internal/external stakeholders are informed regarding project processes and impact.
• Plans, coordinates, and supports internal and external events, forums, and convenings that advance organizational priorities.
• Develops event communications strategies, messaging, and materials; coordinates logistics, timelines, speakers, and cross-functional partners.
• Supports and engages volunteers in communications activities in accordance with state plan goals and communications priorities.
• Develops and leverages relationships with key media outlets and establishes strategic media partnerships to raise the visibility of the organization with members, the public, and key influencers.
• Serves as a media spokesperson as needed.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 100% company-funded pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave
• Performance-based and peer-based recognition
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level