Marketing Communications Specialist

As the Marketing Communications Manager at Vibram, you will play an integral role on the Vibram North America marketing team - responsible for brand and product messaging throughout Vibram's various channels. Reporting directly to the VP of Marketing, you will be responsible for fostering relationships with media, resulting in positive media placements about Vibram products, technologies, athletes, and global initiatives. In addition, you will drive internal and external marketing communications, including social media, email marketing and more.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Manage Vibram North America earned media operations, in partnership with VP of Marketing.
• Collaborate with Outdoor Marketing Manager on partner product launches through unique media events and outreach for maximum brand coverage.
• Build a network of journalists and influencers, with a focus on trail running, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, winter sports, lifestyle fashion and the footwear industry.
• Identify opportunities to share the Vibram brand story, including brand heritage, Repair if You Care campaign and athlete stories, through earned media, social media, and owned channel.
• Create and distribute digital toolkits for media partners, including press releases and visual marketing assets.
• Create seasonal, multi-brand look book with creative team to be shared with journalists at seasonal media events.
• Track campaigns, media placements, impressions, engagement and share results with internal stakeholders and external brand partners.
• Track and evaluate opportunities for technology awards, gear guide inclusions and other seasonal features.
• Manage Vibram North America social media channels, in collaboration with Marketing Art Director and global team.
• Create educational content for media outlets and brand partners, highlighting Vibram technologies and testing process.
• Manage product marketing content - including writing copy and working with the creative team on visual needs.
• Assist creative team in the creation of sell-in materials, including catalogs, sell-sheets and more.
• Create copy for email newsletters, including athlete updates and cobbler communications.
• Help identify and manage cause marketing programs for Vibram - both regional and national.
• Assist HR team with regular corporate communications needs, including email newsletters.
• Perform other duties and assignments as needed.
• Willingness to travel throughout the U.S., and to work on evenings and weekends when required for events, races, and other activities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work seamlessly with global and U.S. Vibram teams (employees and athletes) in addition to marketing teams at third party footwear brands.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

* 3-5 years' experience in public relations, marketing, or a related field.

* Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or PR is preferred.

*. Success in cultivating media relationships and securing editorial placements.

* Experience in developing and implementing global brand communication plans.

* Proven verbal and written communication skills, including knowledge of AP Style.

* Ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences.

* Passion for sustainability and environmental initiatives.

*. Experience working with athletes a plus.

* Experience in the footwear and/or outdoor industry is preferred

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Management project team activities.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations, responses promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meet commitments.
• Oral and Written Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responses well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings.
• Teamwork - balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others; views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; gives authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decision; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of

• MS Office
• Internet / Social Media
• Experience with Project Management / Social Media management software a plus.

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Vibram is a growth company looking for team members to grow with it. Vibram offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment and a collaborative atmosphere for professional development.

Vibram is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.