About Us
Lyrasis is a 501 c 3 non-profit membership organization whose mission is to support enduring access to the world's shared academic, scientific and cultural heritage through leadership in open technologies, content services, digital solutions and collaboration with archives, libraries, museums and knowledge communities worldwide. Lyrasis organizational and staff values are: communication, respect, collaboration, impact, and service.
Lyrasis was created by its members to help them tackle wide-reaching challenges with a collective strength, including: the development and selection of new technology solutions; fostering community-wide projects that help deliver better outcomes and services; content creation, acquisition and management; support for new content models and strategies; and large-scale knowledge management programs unique to collections-holding institutions.
Ultimately, Lyrasis helps its members amplify their impact and influence, participate in global programs, create and deliver better programs and services to their communities, while still maintaining their unique collections, cultures and identities.
Summary Description:
The Senior Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of the organization's marketing and communications activities. They will set organizational marketing and communications goals and strategies, design and direct campaigns to meet these goals using key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensure a positive and growing external brand profile. They will be the owner of the Lyrasis brand position globally, developing a holistic narrative of what Lyrasis does, who it serves, and the nature of its programs, services, and products. The Senior Director will direct the efforts of the Marketing and Communications team, organizing its roles, responsibilities, and processes to respond to organizational growth and change, including newly refined areas of strategic focus and investment. The Senior Director will keep the big picture in focus and ensure diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles are met in all communications.
As a member of the Lyrasis Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications will be involved in organization-wide strategic and business planning, evaluation, and professional development initiatives. The position reports to the Chief Operations Officer (COO).
Duties/Job Responsibilities:
Develops marketing and communications goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and strategies to serve organizational mission and business objectives, reporting on them quarterly to the COO
Organizes and directs the Marketing and Communications team (including roles: Brand Manager and Senior Graphic Designer, Marketing Operations and Traffic Manager, Senior Writer, Event Coordinator, and Digital Marketing Specialist) to respond to organizational growth/change and refined areas of strategic focus
Develops a holistic narrative that embodies Lyrasis, capturing not just what we do, but the heart of who we serve. The narrative should be deeply rooted in our mission, vision, values, and brand, and should illustrate the communities we influence.
Serves as a conceptual thinker, capable of revising key messaging and applying content meaningfully across all communication platforms
Determines ideal brand goals for Lyrasis, conducts competitive analysis for brand position, and creates marketing plans to successfully occupy brand position
Serves as a partner in the development marketing strategies and plans for programs, services, products, applications, membership, and events
Uses a strategic management framework, e.g., SWOT or other, to advise on risks, opportunities and trends as they relate to marketing and communications
Identifies, develops, executes and evaluates marketing strategies and plans based on knowledge of market needs, business objectives, and/or feedback gathered from internal and external partners (e.g., colleagues, members, customers, non-profit peers)
Advises and reviews high-priority internal communications
Authors strategic communications to ensure member/customer engagement, partner visibility and media attention
Plans, develops, and implements organizational public or media relations and crisis communications activities
Oversees the development of communications collateral, ensuring that all materials meet high standards of quality, consistency, and alignment with organizational messaging and brand guidelines. This includes actively participating in the creation, review, and refinement of communication materials while providing strategic guidance and direction to the communications team
Direct the creation and management of Lyrasis.org website and all affiliated properties
Creates and manages team budgets and expenditures
Directs the hiring, training, performance evaluations, career development, and daily activities of team members
Ensures Marketing and Communications team and products are compliant with DEIA best practices
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
10 years progressive marketing and communications experience in an environment of complex offerings (e.g., memberships, programs, products, and services)
5 years progressive management experience, including strong supervisory skills, the ability to share feedback, and a willingness to accept feedback
Ability to plan and execute projects and coordinate the efforts of others to meet marketing and business objectives
Experience in a metrics-driven environment (tracking/reporting/interpreting key performance indicators)
Must possess and demonstrate fluency in digital marketing strategy and practice, including leveraging data- driven insights to inform and optimize communications strategies across digital platforms
Must possess and demonstrate fluency in strategic communications practices
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and to work both independently and as a member of a team
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to develop and administer program budgets
Ability to develop, implement and iterate on process to increase operational effectiveness
Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) best practices
Literacy in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation applications, effective use of online meeting technologies, Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, project management tools, email marketing platforms and/or customer relationship management (CRM) software
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Master's or higher post graduate education
Relevant experience in a library setting, nonprofit or membership organization is highly desirable
Knowledge of issues and trends in the library, archives, museum and complementary research communities
Literacy in content management system (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla), Adobe Creative suite, and social media management tools
Experience overseeing website buildouts and informing site maps, site content, etc.
Additional Notes: Applications are accepted until July 2, 2024. Applications should include a resume, cover letter, and at least two professional references.
You should apply even if you don't feel that your credentials are a 100% match with the position description. We are looking for relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the position itself. The position is part of a geographically and institutionally distributed team, and, as such, applications from candidates interested in telecommuting are welcome.
At Lyrasis, one of our core values is to provide an inclusive environment to all who are employed here. Therefore, the company is intentional in providing fair and equitable employment opportunities to all applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.