Job Listing | KC Global Design Program & Marketing Manager Position

POSITION TITLE: Program & Marketing Manager, KC Global Design
REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Marketing & Creative
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
LOCATION: Kansas City, MO

At the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) we’re not just a nonprofit, we’re the sales and marketing team for the Kansas City region. We work every day to position KC as a top business and lifestyle destination, and we create innovative strategies to attract companies and people from around the world. 

Ranked the No. 1 regional economic development group in the country, we’re recognized internationally for our innovative marketing and business development strategies. The marketing department at KCADC is an in-house agency, working with internal and external clients to amplify and elevate the KC region to key audiences globally in new and unique ways. We’re a high-performing team that thrives in a fast-paced, creative and collaborative environment. 

As the Program & Marketing Manager of KC Global Design, you will lead one of our top industry-specific marketing initiatives. A collective of architecture, engineering, construction and design tech firms, KC Global Design (KCGD) positions the Kansas City region as a top design market focusing on the following areas:

• Building awareness for KC as a global leader in design

• Expanding talent attraction and retention strategies

• Driving innovation in the industry through collaborative leadership

• Creating industry depth and strength through business attraction, retention and engagement

Housed within KCADC’s Marketing Department, the Program & Marketing Manager of KC Global Design will oversee direction and implementation of the key areas of focus, ongoing integrated marketing strategy, and industry and community relationships. 

Knowledge of the architecture and engineering industry, ability to build trust with business leaders, balance competing priorities and thrive under self-direction will make you a great fit for the KCADC team. 

What You’ll Be Doing: 

This position contributes to KC Global Design in three key ways: strategy, relationships and marketing.

Strategy: 

• Serve as the leader of KC Global Design including the development of strategy and budget with oversight of marketing, communication, programs, special projects and day-to-day operations. 

• Oversee the KC Global Design Advisory Board composed of business leaders within the A/E/C industry.

• Develop strategic priorities for KCGD with guidance from the Advisory Board. 

• Implement key projects focused on talent, awareness and innovation to achieve KCGD goals.

• Understand and engage in new developments, programs and efforts created by local and state economic development organizations and related design companies and industry groups.

Relationships: 

• Establish and maintain strong, mutually advantageous relationships for KC Global Design including KCADC investor companies, industry leaders, community, groups, etc. 

• Work with architecture, engineering and design firms across the region to build an ecosystem that ensures continued growth of the industry in KC.

• Maintain ongoing engagement and communication with KC Global Design firms and partners. 

Marketing: 

• Oversee KC Global Design branding and communication.

• Plan and execute KC Global Design networking, outreach and recruiting events. 

• Engage in local and national media outreach to amplify the industry strengths out-of-market.

• Manage social media including regular editorial calendar and analytics to optimize content reach and engagement.

• Write and build regular e-communication through KCADC’s mass distribution email platform.

• Create and update copy and imagery across KC Global Design marketing materials.

What We’re Looking For: 

• Candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications, journalism, public relations or related field. 

• 5+ years experience working within the A/E/C industry, a full-service marketing agency, public relations firm, or on a nonprofit or corporate communications team.

• Extensive knowledge and connection to the KC region’s A/E/C industry preferred. 

• Exceptional writing skills, and experience with all types of media writing.

• A portfolio of relevant marketing and communications work showcasing your experience.

• A strong team mentality in a fast-paced environment with great interpersonal skills. 

• Self-starter with strong organization skills and ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects and assignments to meet deadlines.

• Ability to jump in and help however you’re needed while maintaining attention to detail.

• Proficient in social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, podcasts and blogs.

• Strength in Microsoft programs (Word/Excel/Outlook).

• Familiarity with virtual meeting platforms (Zoom/Microsoft Teams/WebEx/etc.)

• Experience with a variety of digital media tools. KCADC’s preferred platforms include: Sitefinity, Eventbrite, Click Dimensions, Metricool, Trello and Google Analytics.

Please send cover letter, résumé and writing samples via email to careers@thinkkc.com.  

For more information about KCADC, please visit ThinkKC.com. 

We are committed to building a diverse workplace, and are continually striving to achieve this goal. As such, we provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or genetic information.