Director of Marketing & Communications

The Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation•Lexington, KY

About The Position

The Kentucky Science and Technology Center (KSTC) is seeking a Director of Marketing & Communications. This role is responsible for developing a comprehensive marketing, branding, and communications strategy for KSTC and all its programs. KSTC manages a diverse portfolio of programs that operate with some autonomy in marketing and communications. The Director will collaborate with program leaders to create and implement a marketing and communications operating model and strategy that integrates program-level needs with the overall KSTC plan. The goal is to advance KSTC’s mission, strategy, and visibility, both statewide and nationally, by increasing understanding of innovation-based economic development and KSTC's leadership in this area. The Director will be part of the executive leadership team, manage a team, and operate at both strategic and operational levels. A critical function of this role is to develop and facilitate consistent, organization-wide messaging, branding, and communications, while respecting the unique characteristics of the programs and their audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive marketing and communications roles.
Demonstrated experience managing the marketing and communications of a small to medium sized organization; experience with an innovative, entrepreneurial non-profit preferred.
Demonstrated ability to manage and support direct staff and internal customer demands.
Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
Proven ability to translate and communicate complex information for diverse audiences.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive results.
Proven ability to develop and execute strategies across multiple stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Strong written, oral and digital communications skills

Responsibilities

Develop, own, and execute an integrated marketing, branding, and communications model and strategy in collaboration with program leadership.
Develop a clear operating model for implementing program-level marketing activities, including staffing approaches and cost/schedule targets.
Serve as the organization’s chief brand architect and steward, ensuring consistent identity and impact across KSTC and its programs for internal and external audiences.
Maintain brand standards, editorial standards, style guide, and digital asset library.
Oversee digital presence, including website, social media, and email marketing.
Oversee and guide all external communications, including media relations, public affairs, executive communications, and crisis communications.
Develop high-impact communications that position innovation/tech-based economic development and KSTC as a leader.
Establish and maintain strong internal communications practices to reinforce cross-program success, collaboration, organizational storytelling, alignment, culture, and transparency.
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing marketing and communications team, including direct and functional reports within KSTC programs.
Develop and manage external MarComm vendors, agencies, and contractors.
Implement data-driven marketing practices, establishing metrics and performance dashboards.
Oversee departmental budget, planning, and resource allocation.
Develop a cost management process for forecasting and proper staffing of the MarComm team.
Serve as an active member of KSTC’s executive leadership team, contributing to enterprise-wide strategy, decision-making, and organizational direction.
Support the development of organizational reporting, including Board of Directors materials.
Model and reinforce a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.