UIDP seeks a visionary, highly creative, and strategically minded leader to serve as Marketing & Communications Director. This individual will define and drive the organization’s marketing and communications strategy while remaining deeply engaged in execution, personally shaping high-impact content, campaigns, and initiatives that elevate UIDP’s global brand. As a hands-on leader, the Director will not only set direction but actively create, refine, and deliver the work, bringing both strategic clarity and creative excellence to all aspects of messaging and organizational output. Positioned at the center of UIDP’s continued growth and influence, this role will shape how the organization is understood and experienced, ensuring every communication reflects the highest standards of creativity, clarity, and impact.

The Marketing Communications Director role includes:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and lead a comprehensive, forward-looking marketing and communications strategy aligned with UIDP’s strategic plan and growth priorities
• Serve as the organization’s chief storyteller, shaping a distinctive and differentiated brand voice
• Translate complex ideas into compelling narratives that resonate across UIDP’s audiences
• Advise executive leadership on positioning, messaging, and reputation

Hands-On Content & Campaign Leadership

• Personally develop and edit high-impact content, including articles, reports, executive messaging, and campaign materials
• Lead the creation and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, from concept through delivery
• Write and refine content across platforms, ensuring clarity, consistency, and quality across all outputs
• Partner with designers and vendors to produce compelling visual and multimedia assets

Brand & Thought Leadership

• Elevate UIDP’s brand into a cohesive, high-impact platform that reflects its role as a global convener
• Oversee and directly contribute to the development of flagship content and thought leadership initiatives
• Ensure alignment of all communications with organizational voice, standards, and strategic priorities

Integrated Marketing & Digital Execution

• Architect and execute multi-channel marketing strategies, including digital, email, social media, and paid advertising
• Oversee website strategy and content, while contributing directly to content development and optimization (SEO)
• Develop and deploy email campaigns and newsletters, including drafting, editing, and performance analysis
• Maintain and grow UIDP’s digital presence through active content creation and engagement

Analytics, Performance & Optimization

• Track, analyze, and report on marketing performance, using data to refine strategy and execution
• Translate insights into actionable improvements across campaigns, channels, and messaging

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor marketing communications staff, contractors, and external partners
• Remain directly engaged in project execution, stepping in as needed to ensure quality and timeliness
• Collaborate across the organization to align communications with programs, events, and member engagement initiatives

External Relations & Visibility

• Lead public relations strategy and actively contribute to media outreach, messaging, and relationship development
• Identify and secure opportunities to increase UIDP’s visibility and influence

Operational Execution

• Manage communications calendars, campaign timelines, and production workflows
• Oversee vendors (designers, photographers, videographers, agencies) while contributing to creative direction and deliverables
• Provide hands-on support for key events, including content creation, live communications, and post-event reporting

Other Duties as Assigned

• This position may be responsible for a variety of additional tasks to support the effective operation of the organization. These may include general administrative functions, clerical support, document preparation, data entry, scheduling assistance, meeting coordination, filing, supply management, and other office-related activities. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs, and flexibility and a collaborative approach are essential.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

You thrive in dynamic environments and are highly adaptable to changes in direction or circumstances. With an innate ability to adjust your focus and reallocate resources as priorities shift, you remain agile and efficient under pressure. Your eagerness to continuously learn and master new tools, technologies, and methodologies allows you to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional results. You approach your work with diligence, strategic thinking, and efficiency, consistently meeting deadlines and delivering on expectations.

Your proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to supporting the team. Whether handling tasks independently or collaborating seamlessly with others, you take great pride in maintaining exceptional organizational standards, ensuring that every detail is accounted for and that all project milestones are met on time. Above all, you’re driven by a passion for creating exceptional marketing communications that support and elevate the partnership’s mission and goals. Your commitment to excellence and eye for detail make you a trusted and invaluable team member.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressive experience, including leadership responsibility and direct execution.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to both develop strategy and personally deliver high-quality marketing and communications output.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with experience managing multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Must provide samples from previous communications-related work or projects (e.g., video production, published articles [online or print], communications on behalf of an organization, or other communications activities).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effectively communicating with internal teams, external stakeholders, and target audiences. This includes crafting compelling messaging, presentations, and marketing materials.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software
• Some occasional travel may be required

Big Pluses

Experience with:

• Association marketing
•  WordPress (HTML coding skills not required)
• Feathr Nonprofit Marketing Platform
• Adobe Creative Suite

WHO WE ARE

UIDP (www.uidp.org) is a global nonprofit membership association that helps great innovation companies and world-class research universities develop new and better collaboration approaches. UIDP is a recognized convener of thought leaders and practitioners, identifying high-impact strategies so companies and universities (along with other interested parties) can improve the return on investment from their partnerships. UIDP’s operating model is predicated on being agile and producing high-quality products that meet the community's needs.

OUR TEAM

As the quality and impact of UIDP’s work continue to gain recognition, our team has experienced rapid growth over the past five years to keep up with the increasing demand. Despite this growth, we maintain the vibrant spirit and energy of a mission-driven start-up. We’re united by a clear, ambitious vision while embracing the inherent ambiguity and urgency of a highly agile organization.

Exciting growth opportunities await! At UIDP, we believe in investing in our staff to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Team members are encouraged to enhance their skill sets through professional development initiatives, and we actively promote from within, offering pathways for those seeking greater responsibilities. Join us and be a part of our dynamic journey!

LOCATION

This position is located in Columbia, SC, USA. UIDP operates under a hybrid work schedule, and staff work 3-4 days per week in the office.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive salary that reflects the value we place on our team members’ contributions. In addition to financial compensation, we provide a generous benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and work-life balance. This includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you are covered.

We also offer a robust retirement plan to help you plan for your future, along with generous paid time off that encourages you to recharge and enjoy personal time. At UIDP, we are committed to fostering our employees' professional development by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and mentorship programs that support their professional growth.