Digital Communications Manager

Overview

The U.S. Soccer Foundation helps young people embrace an active and healthy lifestyle and cultivate critical life skills through soccer. The Foundation’s

programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has

impacted thousands of children through its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives, which offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive.

For more information, visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org. The Foundation’s headquarters are in Washington, D.C. Remote candidates will be considered.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is at the core of our mission and who we are. It fuels our work as we continue to create opportunities for underrepresented populations and fight systemic inequalities through soccer. This is a shared commitment with our partners, within our organizational systems, across all the programs we offer, and within the communities we work with, as we continue to do our part to build a better future for children. We value our diverse team and are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of respect and inclusivity in which they can thrive. To read the Foundation’s detailed goals, please visit our website.

About the Role

The Digital Communications Manager creates and executes communications campaigns for the U.S. Soccer Foundation with a primary focus on email marketing campaigns that generate deeper engagement with supporters (including micro-level individual donors) and the Foundation. In addition, this person will coordinate press and media outreach and work with program partners to generate timely stories. The Digital Communications Manager is a skilled writer and can clearly communicate the organization’s mission in a way that engages audiences and inspires them to take action. Under the Director of Marketing & Communications, this person will co-manage the email marketing strategy, assist with press and media outreach, manage digital campaign elements (including peer-to-peer fundraising, direct mail, and other emerging platforms), create automated email series, and manage the Foundation’s email database. This role requires strong written communication skills and attention to detail, and the candidate should have experience in data-driven marketing and communications approaches.

About the Team

The Marketing & Communications Department is a six-person team, responsible for shaping the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s brand, overseeing all external communications, and showcasing the organization’s work to engage key audiences. The Marketing and Communications Team is part of the Revenue Group and is critical to the positioning of the Foundation to external stakeholders—including corporate partners and individual donors. The Marketing & Communications Department works collaboratively with all other Departments to enhance their unique content, while ensuring the organization communicates a consistent narrative. The Marketing & Communications Department is responsible for organizational messaging and branding, program and organizational marketing strategies, digital strategy, media relations, speechwriting, thought leadership, storytelling, public event planning and execution, graphic design, video production, and annual individual campaigns.

Responsibilities

The Digital Communications Manager’s core responsibilities include the following:

• • Develop and execute targeted email marketing campaigns to engage key stakeholders, including deepening supporter engagement and driving low-level individual revenue through new and existing donors.
  • Work creatively and collaboratively with the Marketing & Communications team to develop email campaigns and content that adhere to the larger Foundation content and brand strategy.
  • Analyze data to identify trends and best practices to adapt email communications strategy to increase engagement in the Foundation’s cause.
  • Under the direction of the Director, Marketing & Communications, enhance the Foundation’s email communications strategy and tactics by developing segmented user journeys by audience and incorporating other industry best practices within communications.
  • Working collaboratively with the VP of Marketing and Communications, coordinate press and media outreach for the Foundation’s regional events including drafting media alerts, press releases, and pitching media.
  • Work with the Foundation’s program partners to generate impactful stories and testimonials that can be used across digital platforms.
  • Work collaboratively with the Foundation’s creative team members to develop visually appealing and compelling content.
  • Work collaboratively with other members of the Foundation team to grow the email database and steward individuals through the marketing funnel.
  • Support the Director, Marketing & Communications in the development of marketing materials and execution of other deliverables to support individual giving through peer-to-peer fundraising.
  • Responsible for reporting and analyzing data on email communication performance and email list hygiene and maintenance.
  • Draft and produce the Foundation’s annual report.
  • Support and advance the goals, mission, and culture of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
  • Complete other duties as assigned.

About You:

We are looking for someone with the following qualifications and characteristics:

• • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in marketing, communications, or another related field
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience in email marketing, digital marketing, communications, or a related field.
  • Excellent written communication skills, including copywriting and copyediting.
  • Proven experience developing written and email communication content and a demonstrated history of success in increasing email engagement (i.e. open and click through rates and responses to calls-to-action).
  • Experience drafting communications materials, including stories, annual reports, and/or press materials.
  • Knowledge and experience working with marketing automation tools and content management systems such as Marketing Cloud and Salesforce.
  • Familiarity with analytical and database tools to monitor email and campaign performance.
  • Strong project management skills and attention to detail, and proven ability to develop and execute campaigns through completion.
  • Possesses a strong worth ethic, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, manage complex projects and timelines, and take initiative.
  • Committed to bettering the lives of children through sports-based youth development.
  • Committed to working on a diverse team and helping to build a culture of inclusion internally and externally.
  • Ability to travel up to 5% of schedule, inclusive of weekend and holiday travel, as needed.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation isn’t a typical organization, and the right candidate for this role isn’t typical either. The ideal candidate is looking for opportunities to improve themselves and the organization. We want go-getters. We want candidates with high expectations for themselves, hungry for the next opportunity to learn and grow.

Salary:

The Foundation offers a market competitive compensation package. We are committed to incorporating DEI practices and accounting for inequities as we conduct an annual salary planning process to include merit increases, promotions, bonuses, and equity analysis across the entire organization. Foundation benefits include generous medical and dental insurance plans; 401(k) retirement plans with employer match; professional development; mobile data plan reimbursement; and flexible time off.