Manager, Marketing & Communication Services

Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Marketing and Communications Manager to join our Marketing and Communications Services unit in our Chicago or Washington, DC office.


The Marketing and Communications Manager uses market information and key strategies to help Smithbucklin client organizations achieve their marketing goals. The selected individual is expected to lead the delivery of varied services, including brand and messaging development, strategic communications, creative development, member acquisition marketing, event and convention marketing, market research, and public relations that go beyond the successful execution of program and campaign deliverable.

At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.
What You Will Do:
  • Develop, lead, and manage integrated marketing and communications campaigns for 4-6 client organizations comprised of trade associations and professional societies in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
  • Develop and deliver marketing plans and activities, including market assessment and analysis, objectives and key strategies, new tactics and channels, and tactical analysis.
  • Develop and deliver digital marketing strategies and tactics, including SEO, SEM, content marketing, and digital advertising.
  • Develop and manage client marketing budgets, including tracking and reporting.
  • Manage and engage teams in the implementation of marketing campaigns, including organizing and delegating project roles/responsibilities, managing team performance, and ensuring a quality product and timely delivery.
  • Develop, cultivate, and maintain relationships with client leadership and other team members
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • 6+ years of marketing and communications experience.
  • Proven track record for designing, leading, implementing, and tracking the performance of traditional and digital marketing and communications campaigns.
  • Proficient in budgeting and financial management.
  • Strong people management and project management skills.
  • Proficient in using core Microsoft applications, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word, and social media, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
  • Ability to travel 10% of the time.
Preferred Qualifications:
    • B.A./B.S. with a concentration in strategic/integrated communications, marketing, or business.
  • Experience working in a collaborative, matrixed environment (agency or professional services firm experience is a plus), and/or experience working for an AMC or association.
  • Proficient in HTML, basic coding, marketing automation, and digital advertising applications.
Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.

Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $85,000-$95,000.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.
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