Associate State Director - Communications

AARP • New Brunswick, NJ

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.
AARP’s Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group​ includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. It delivers on AARP’s social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.
As the Associate State Director for Communications in New Jersey for AARP, you will lead integrated communications efforts in the state of New Jersey. This highly visible role is responsible for shaping and executing multi-channel communications and marketing strategies that enhance brand awareness, promote key initiatives and events, and effectively engage internal and external audiences. Serving as the primary communications and marketing lead, you will partner and collaborate with the team, including full-time staff and volunteers, to develop marketing strategies, shape messaging, elevate AARP’s presence across New Jersey, and leverage a mix of media relations, social media, marketing, and digital content to maximize impact. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of the New Jersey media landscape, expertise in social and digital communications, and the ability to think creatively, make sound recommendations, and deliver compelling storytelling that advances AARP’s mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of significant experience in communications, media relations, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the New Jersey media landscape.
• Solid expertise in social media and digital communications, including maximizing audience reach and engagement.
• Experience developing and executing integrated, multi-channel communications and marketing strategies resulting in increased brand visibility, impact and engagement. Proven ability to create compelling content and storytelling tailored to diverse audiences.
• 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.
• Experience using data and insights to evaluate campaign performance and inform strategy. Familiarity and/or willingness to learn new technology, such as AI.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Communications or related field.

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