Communication & Marketing Specialist Multi Level

Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District • Madison, WI

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is currently recruiting for a Communication and Marketing Specialist or a Senior Communication and Marketing Specialist (Dependent on candidates' qualifications).

Communication and Marketing Specialist: Under the general supervision of the Communications & Public Affairs Manager, the Communications & Marketing Specialist supports the District’s strategic communication, outreach, and engagement goals, advising on strategies and identifying new opportunities for District communications and outreach. This position develops, executes, and evaluates communications and marketing strategies that promote the District’s programs, initiatives, brand identity, and community presence. This role collaborates closely with the Communications & Public Affairs Manager and staff across departments. It also provides cross-support with other Communications & Marketing Specialist(s) to ensure continuity and coverage for ongoing work. This position will collaborate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams to ensure the District has a positive brand image. This position also serves as the primary liaison for its assigned departments and workgroups, managing project intake, timelines, and communication in line with the Communication Department’s service model. The incumbent will possess a growth mindset to support our mission-driven organization, while fostering a positive work culture.

Senior Communication and Marketing Specialist: Under the general supervision of the Communications & Public Affairs Manager, the Senior Communications & Marketing Specialist provides expertise and critical support in shaping how the District communicates with internal and external stakeholders. This position develops, leads, executes, and evaluates communications and marketing strategies that promote the District’s programs, initiatives, brand identity, and community presence. This role collaborates closely with the Communications & Public Affairs Manager, District leadership, and staff across departments. It also provides cross-support with other Communications & Marketing Specialist(s) to ensure continuity and coverage for ongoing work and portray a positive brand image. The successful candidate must demonstrate a growth mindset in navigating a dynamic, mission-driven operation, while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Requirements

• Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter along with their application materials. The cover letter will be reviewed as a writing sample during the screening process.
• Resumes are highly encouraged but not required.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in creating and delivering professional communications and marketing materials for business purposes.
• Experience with social and/or digital media creation and implementation of social and/or digital campaigns.
• A degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Marketing, or a related field, or commensurate experience in a communication role.
• Experience leading the development and implementation of strategic communication that involves social and/or digital media creation and implementation of social and/or digital campaigns.
• Experience with developing integrated marketing campaigns, communication plans, and/or public outreach initiatives for organizational priorities.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders and staff to develop, refine, and deploy complex communications initiatives, translating technical information, etc.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without District sponsorship) at the time of application and must maintain work authorization throughout their employment.
• The District does not provide employment visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with public sector communications, environmental or utility sector messaging
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders and staff to develop, refine, and deploy complex communications initiatives, translating technical information, etc.
• Experience developing integrated marketing campaigns, communication plans, and/or public outreach initiatives.
• Experience with public sector communications, environmental, or utility sector messaging
• Experience with public relations training and/or experience with public relations principles (i.e., Research – Planning – Implementation – Evaluation (RPIE) or other model)
• As part of our screening and selection process for this role, selected candidates will be asked to provide a digital portfolio with three to five examples showcasing their work. If you are requested to provide this, more information regarding the submission process will be sent.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the District’s digital and social media strategy and execution, exercising day-to-day decision-making authority within brand and District communication standards.
• Manage District social media platforms, including content planning, posting, monitoring, and analytics reporting.
• Create engaging written, visual, multimedia, and interactive content tailored to digital platforms.
• Maintain digital content calendars and coordinate timing with broader communication initiatives.
• Monitor online conversations, respond to inquiries, and escalate issues as needed.
• Track performance metrics and recommend strategies to enhance digital reach and engagement.
• Support website updates, content maintenance, and user experience improvements.
• Ensure digital content meets accessibility standards and follows District branding.
• Explore new digital tools, platforms, and trends to expand communication opportunities.
• Write, edit, and produce content for press releases, articles, website pages, newsletters, reports, and other communication materials.
• Provide copyediting and proofreading using District style guidelines and plain-language principles.
• Coordinate content development with internal teams.
• Assist with staff presentation materials.
• Develop content for outreach campaigns, including brochures, fact sheets, and informational materials.
• Ensure accessibility compliance (e.g., readability, alt text, formatting) across all written materials.
• Manage review and approval workflows for content, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Support storytelling efforts by gathering information, interviewing staff, and highlighting District initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated marketing campaigns, communication plans, and public outreach initiatives.
• Support campaign budgeting, planning, scheduling, and performance evaluation.
• Conduct audience research, stakeholder analysis, and message testing to inform strategy.
• Identify communication opportunities and recommend proactive outreach approaches.
• Coordinate cross-departmental communication efforts to ensure alignment with District goals.
• Track campaign metrics and prepare reports summarizing outcomes, insights, and recommendations.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and best practices to strengthen District communication efforts.
• Serve as primary liaison for assigned departments and workgroups, managing project intake, communication needs, and timelines in coordination with the Communications & Public Affairs team’s liaison service model.
• Maintain and promote District brand consistency across all communication materials and platforms.
• Support media relations, including responding to inquiries, preparing materials, and coordinating interviews.
• Assist in developing media kits, fact sheets, and background materials.
• Coordinate design and creative production with internal staff and external vendors.
• Review materials for brand alignment, visual consistency, and message accuracy.
• Support community engagement events, public meetings, and outreach activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, community groups, and stakeholders.
• Assist in crisis communication and rapid-response messaging.
• Assist in managing photography, videography, and other creative assets.
• Support development and distribution of all-user announcements, internal newsletters, and staff-facing communication materials.
• Collaborate with departments to understand communication needs and provide guidance on messaging, format, and delivery.
• Assist with internal campaigns, staff events, and organizational updates.
• Maintain internal communication channels, such as intranet pages.
• Provide communication support for cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Help ensure staff are informed about District programs, policies, and priorities.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and collaborative workgroups.
• Contribute to a positive, service-oriented communications culture.
• Provide backup support for communications operations as needed to ensure seamless work area service.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Support internal communication efforts to ensure employees are informed and engaged regarding District programs, policies, and priorities.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and collaborative workgroups.
• Contribute to a positive, service-oriented communications culture.
• Partner with the Communications & Public Affairs Manager to ensure alignment across all channels and initiatives, strengthening the District’s voice, transparency, and public trust.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategic communication approaches for internal and external audiences, ensuring messaging reflects organizational priorities, values, and brand standards.
• Coordinate cross-departmental communication efforts to ensure consistent messaging and maximize the impact of District initiatives and campaigns
• Provide leadership and guidance on communication best practices, helping departments effectively communicate programs, services, and organizational initiatives.
• Apply and reinforce District communication standards and processes to support effectiveness and consistency across teams.
• Identify emerging communication needs and opportunities, recommending solutions to the Communications & Public Affairs Manager to support informed decision-making.
• Partner with District departments to translate organizational priorities into integrated communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance District goals, enhance stakeholder engagement, and strengthen organizational visibility using the Research-Planning-Implementation-Evaluation (RPIE) or other relevant public relations/communications framework.
• Analyze communication and marketing performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform future strategies.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated marketing campaigns, communication plans, and public outreach initiatives.
• Support campaign budgeting, planning, scheduling, and performance evaluation.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and best practices to strengthen District communication efforts.
• Support backup writing and editing for Executive Director communications, including the monthly Flush & Flow and weekly updates, as well as budget and strategic plan communications, to ensure continuity.
• Lead brand stewardship efforts, ensuring brand guidelines are applied consistently across outward-facing documents and materials, including Commission presentations.
• Provide senior-level support for public relations and media outreach, including drafting press materials, pitching media, and coordinating interviews.
• Write and edit high-visibility content — such as executive messaging, press materials, and major campaign copy — that requires elevated judgment or subject-matter expertise.
• Serve as a quality backstop for key communications materials, reviewing for accuracy, tone, and alignment with District priorities before release.
• Provide strategic input and quality review for digital and social media content and campaigns, supporting brand and message consistency; the Communications & Marketing Specialist(s) retain primary ownership of day-to-day digital and social media strategy and execution.
• Serve as backup coverage for digital and social media channels during Specialist absences to maintain continuity.
• Lead and independently manage high-visibility communication initiatives and campaigns.
• Oversee multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timelines, quality, and outcomes meet expectations.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, accountability, and sound judgment in managing strategic initiatives.
• Lead communication planning and execution for major organizational initiatives, projects, and public-facing campaigns.
• Review, edit, and approve communications materials to ensure alignment with brand standards, messaging priorities, visual identity guidelines, and organizational objectives.
• Support community engagement events, public meetings, and outreach activities.
• Assist in crisis communication and rapid-response messaging efforts
• Represent the District professionally in interactions with community members, external organizations, vendors, and media representatives.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the District’s brand through strategic storytelling, community partnerships, and targeted communications campaigns.
• Provide informal mentorship, coaching, and quality feedback to the Communications & Marketing Specialist(s) and Communications & Events Associate to support their professional growth, in a non-supervisory capacity.
• Review work products of team members for quality, consistency, and alignment with brand and communication standards, offering constructive feedback.
• Serve as an onboarding resource for new communications team members, helping orient them to District communication standards, tools, and workflows.
• Provide backup liaison coverage for departments and workgroups when a Specialist is unavailable.
• Provide backup support for communications operations as needed to ensure seamless work area service.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Support internal communication efforts to ensure employees are informed and engaged regarding District programs, policies, and priorities.
• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and collaborative workgroups.
• Contribute to a positive, service-oriented communications culture.

Benefits

• The District participates in the federal E-Verify program.
• As required by law, all newly hired employees will have their Form I-9 information submitted to the federal government through E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States.
• As part of the hiring process, finalists may be required to successfully complete a background check and, if applicable, a pre-employment physical.
• Employment may be contingent upon the results of these screenings.
• Any criminal conviction record will be evaluated in accordance with applicable law, including whether the circumstances of the conviction are substantially related to the duties of the position.

What This Job Offers

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