metroConnections, Inc. is hiring : Marketing & PR Specialist in Saint Paul

The Marketing & PR Specialist is responsible for the development and execution of the organization’s marketing strategies, campaigns, marketing communications, and public relations activities. The position oversees the implementations related to sales support, marketing, communications, media, and public relations (internal and external).

The goal is to provide exceptional service while building and maintaining a positive brand reputation. The Marketing & PR Specialist can accomplish this goal by implementing the metroConnections Brand Pillars in everyday work functions with internal colleagues and external clients and partners : Connection, Innovation, Adaptability, Partnership, Dependability, Execution.

This is a full-time, salary, bonus-eligible, hybrid position. Work locations will include independent remote / work from home, and occasional team office work in Burnsville, MN.

Position Responsibilities include, but are not limited to : Work collaboratively with all service teams within metroConnections.

Participate in all aspects of metroConnections where appropriate / when assigned.

Responsible for marketing communications and public relations. Work with Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) on marketing strategies.

Execute marketing plan including strategies and communication to prospects and clients.

Gather and analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitor activities.

Optimize digital marketing campaigns, including email marketing and social media.

Create, implement, and measure the success of : A comprehensive marketing, communications, and PR program that will enhance metroConnections’ image and position within the marketplace and public.

An integrated solution that cross-references our vast services offerings across the scope of our company’s service offerings.

The marketing budget. Partner with CMO on Marketing Budget / Allocation of Funds.

Support metroConnections’ Sales Leadership with ongoing tools & lead generation. Attend monthly sales & marketing meetings.

Work with sales team members to manage all sales tools inventory, both online and print.

Develop monthly lead generating campaigns with CMO to help drive lead generation

Support sales with promotional tools where necessary (graphical emails, collateral, presentation templates, proposal templates, business card renewals, notecards, etc.).

Support company and sales with ongoing client and staff photography for further enhancing marketing materials.

Maintain and update metroConnections’ web presence and search engine optimization (SEO). Direct metroConnections designated design agency on web site enhancements.

Update the web site quarterly with site overhauls and resource additions.

Work with agency on SEO evaluation and analysis and direct on all web site traffic and analytic improvements on a quarterly basis.

Assist in direction on revised copy, helping to improve SEO on keywords.

Report on search visibility and site traffic monthly.

Develop blog articles working with freelance writers to promote web site content marketing.

Manage overall annual public relations campaign and strategy. Manage metroConnections’ designated PR plan related to annual marketing plan.

Work with team to position metroConnections as a thought leader in the marketplace.

Meet with Twin Cities hotel sales teams and present metroConnections’ capabilities bi-annually.

Create more brand awareness on a national level.

Direct and oversee the agency on monthly press releases, speaking opportunities, editorial opportunities, industry awards, media list expansion, and social media channels.

Track results and work with PR team to create annual results report.

CRM Oversight Work with metroConnections’ CRM expansion vendor for ongoing CRM expansion. through list acquisition and CRM updates

Oversee CRM support to ensure CRM updates related to sales needs by Sales Leadership.

Work with Sales Leadership to ensure leads coming in are entered and updated in CRM relative to ensuring ongoing marketing is hitting new prospects / new clients.

Enhance CRM with prospects via list acquisition, sales event lists, etc.

Establish Marketing Channels Plan for Ongoing Market Expansion Support metroConnections’ channels plan.

Support all marketing channels with requested information (collateral, bios, descriptions, photos, logos, etc.).

Work with partners to expand metroConnections’ CRM reach.

Present capabilities at industry events held by partner channels (eg : quarterly HelmsBriscoe regionals).

Report on channels leads / revenue from CRM

Maintain and update metroConnections’ Social Media presence. Create a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with brand identity, target audience, and marketing goals.

Establish improved photography for social media presence.

Generate engaging content with text, images, videos, and stories for various social media platforms.

Approve all social media posts.

Brand Consistency Ensure brand consistency across all marketing and PR activities.

Work with internal teams to reinforce brand identity and voice.

Minimum Qualifications include : 3+ years of related experience.

Possess a thorough understanding of marketing planning, elements and acceptable tactics.

Grasp marketing strategies along with marketing tactics

Ability to learn and use marketing data analysis and tools, including but not limited to marketing software (Adobe Creative Suite, Dynamics CRM, etc.).

Maintain awareness of industry trends.

Ability to assist in lead generation with creative solutions for reaching prospects and customers

Technology literate with a passion for learning new things.

Exhibit strong computer and technical skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office including PPT, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Work independently to come up with viable solutions.

Strong organizational skills, with the ability to stay focused on tasks, as well as a strong attention to detail and organization / documentation.

Demonstrate common sense, comprehend instructions, interpret documents, and apply abstract principles to a wide range of complex tasks.

Excellent oral and written communication, including presentation skills (English is the primary language) and proofing.

Understand the meanings of words and effectively respond, analyze information, and write reports, and comprehend complex issues and communicate effectively to diverse groups.

Perform basic arithmetic accurately and compute rates and percentages.

Ability to work well in a team environment; able to collaborate and compromise, both as a lead and support role.

Manage stress successfully : adapt to change, trouble-shoot, and make decisions while maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor.

Work successfully with many different types of personalities.

Possess strong leadership skills and an outgoing personality.

Maintain a cheerful and positive attitude.

Maintain a presentable appearance as many work functions are performed in or adjacent to a corporate atmosphere.

Ability to handle work-related stress; handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and meet deadlines.

Ability to please most people and accept feedback and criticism in a constructive manner.

Ability to follow through with commitments and show concern for the needs of others.

Willingness to travel 6-8 times per year to industry events.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.

The employee may exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push or otherwise move objects.

This is a sedentary position that requires the employee to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.

The employee will experience repetitive motion, substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and / or fingers.

The employee will type or otherwise work primarily with fingers.

The employee will be required to stand or walk for long periods of time.

Regularly required to talk / hear.

Benefits Package Highlights : Paid Time Off – Starting with 15 PTO Days

Paid Holidays – 9.5 Days Annually, including Employee-Owner Appreciation Day (first Friday of March)

Summer Fridays – Reduced Business Hours on Fridays during Summer Months

Employee-Owned – Employee Stock Ownership Plan – Retirement Plan 100% funded by the company

401(k) Retirement Plan with company match

Medical and Dental Insurance – 50% company paid

Options for Voluntary Disability Insurance, Voluntary Vision Insurance, Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance

Parental Leave – 10 Days Paid

Bereavement – Up to 5 Days Paid per occurrence

AI for screening candidates has its limitations and potential biases and should not replace human decision-making in hiring. To find the best candidates for our organization, metroConnections does not utilize AI for candidate screening.

metroConnections is proudly employee owned and operated. An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan that gives workers ownership interest in the company.

Equal Opportunity is metroConnections, Inc.’s policy. We are committed to policies of non-discrimination to promote diversity in employment regardless of race, sex, parental or marital status, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other criteria not specifically related to relevant aptitudes, potential, skills, and abilities.

We value the diversity in society and the diversity amongst our employees, and we believe that by successfully managing this diversity, we can gain from it and become a more effective business. If you are excited about this opportunity but your past experience does not align perfectly with the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. This or another opportunity may end up being a great fit for you!

metroConnections is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact metroConnections’ Human Resources team at 612.333.8687.

#J-18808-Ljbffr