Overview
Now is the time to join us and make a difference. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Here at the American Heart Association, you matter and so does your career.
We are currently hiring a Marketing Communications Director. As the primary marketing and communications lead for the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Awards, this position will identify and implement unique digital and social media campaigns to grow the Bear Bryant Awards brand; build unique written content, features and news releases; design media materials; compile historical facts; lead website content for BryantAwards.org, arrange media interviews, conduct interviews, travel to trophy presentations and other promotional events, work with TV partners, production teams and others on the broadcast of the Awards.
This is a remote position with minimal travel throughout the year. You will report to the Region Vice President Communications.
What are the Bear Bryant Awards?
In 1983, Bear Bryant retired as the winningest coach in college football history, but he was unable to enjoy life after hanging up his whistle. A mere 28 days after coaching his last game and a final victory in the Liberty Bowl, he died of a heart attack at the age of 69.
While the Coach of the Year Award has been an annual tradition since 1957, The Bryant Family felt moved to educate and impact awareness around heart disease and stroke following “Bear’s” passing. The family approached the American Heart Association to create a meaningful partnership to keep “Bear’s” legacy alive while raising funds to support research. In 1986, the American Heart Association adopted and re-named the award.
Since the award was renamed, the Bryant Awards has raised millions of dollars to fund research, advocacy and educational programs across the country that are necessary for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The Awards have also recognized some of the greatest coaches in the history of the game. Recent recipients of the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award include Nick Saban, Dabo Sweeney, and most recently Sonny Dykes.
The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.
#TheAHALife is our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and at heart.org.
Responsibilities
- Working year-round to craft, implement and measure the success of comprehensive marketing and public relations plans that increase awareness for the Bear Bryant Awards, Bear Bryant Award winning coaches, and the lifesaving work that the Awards support.
- Establish and cultivate relationships with college football marketing and communications teams around the country.
- Establish and cultivate relationships with local and national college football media members.
- Develop unique and creative content for the Bryant Awards social media platforms, including strategy, content creation and monitoring.
- Traditional and Digital Media: Explore and engage new outlets, especially on-line media to targeted audiences. Research and supervise new media and promotional opportunities.
- Draft, edit and pitch stories to local, regional, and national media outlets.
- Maintain the integrity of the Association and Bear Bryant Awards brands by developing, reviewing, and editing communications and marketing materials.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in marketing, public relations, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in marketing, marketing communications, or public relations. College athletics experience preferred.
- Solid understanding of college football with the ability to write and build content for college football.
- Writing, editing, and proofreading skills with experience in preparing press releases.
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including experience working with members of the media.
- Proven ability to develop and implement marketing plans, including email, digital and social media campaigns.
- Previous experience implementing results-driven marketing plans and demonstrating return on investment.
- Ability to use independent judgment and to capture, manage and impart information to the media and various other internal and external audiences.
- General knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal management
- Ability to travel as required.
Compensation & Benefits
The expected pay range will be $56,300 to $75,100. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.
The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.
- Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
- Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.
- Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
- Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
- Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
- Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.
The American Heart Association’s 2024 Goal: Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, by 2024, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.
At American Heart Association American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities. We’re committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.
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EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities