Marketing & Community Development Manager

Department: Marketing / Business Development
Reports To: President
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Williston, ND

Position Summary

The Marketing & Community Development Officer is responsible for leading the Bank's marketing, branding, public relations, community engagement, customer communications, and business development initiatives. This position serves as a strategic partner to executive leadership and plays a critical role in supporting the Bank's growth objectives through effective marketing strategies, relationship building, and community involvement.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing plans that strengthen brand awareness, enhance customer relationships, support deposit and loan growth, and position the Bank as a leading community financial institution. This role requires a highly motivated professional who can independently manage projects, build strong relationships, represent the Bank throughout the community, and deliver measurable results.

The Marketing & Community Development Officer serves as a public ambassador for the Bank and is expected to maintain a visible presence within the communities the Bank serves through networking, sponsorships, events, and community partnerships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Marketing & Brand Management

• Develop and execute comprehensive annual marketing plans aligned with the Bank's strategic goals and growth initiatives.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of advertising, marketing, branding, public relations, and customer engagement strategies.
• Ensure consistent brand standards, messaging, and visual identity across all Bank locations and communication channels.
• Identify opportunities to increase market share, customer acquisition, customer retention, and overall brand awareness.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, demographic changes, and market conditions to identify opportunities and risks.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and recommend adjustments to maximize return on investment.

Business Development & Community Relations

• Support organizational growth through strategic marketing and community outreach initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with customers, community leaders, business organizations, civic groups, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
• Represent the Bank at networking events, community meetings, sponsorship activities, conferences, trade shows, and public functions.
• Identify opportunities for community partnerships and sponsorships that align with the Bank's mission and business objectives.
• Promote the Bank's products, services, and community involvement efforts throughout the market area.
• Assist in developing and implementing initiatives that support deposit growth, loan growth, customer acquisition, and overall business development goals.

Digital Marketing & Communications

• Oversee the Bank's website content, social media platforms, digital communications, and mobile app messaging.
• Develop customer-facing communications, including promotional campaigns, newsletters, service announcements, and community updates.
• Manage and coordinate social media strategies and content calendars.
• Monitor customer engagement and digital marketing performance metrics.
• Ensure all external communications maintain regulatory compliance and align with Bank policies.

Public Relations & Media Management

• Serve as a primary liaison with media outlets, advertising agencies, printers, and other marketing vendors.
• Develop and distribute press releases, announcements, and public communications.
• Coordinate media opportunities and community relations activities.
• Protect and enhance the Bank's reputation through proactive communication and relationship management.

Event Planning & Community Engagement

• Develop, budget, coordinate, and execute customer appreciation events, employee events, educational seminars, grand openings, community outreach activities, and sponsorship events.
• Manage all event logistics, including planning, vendor coordination, setup, promotion, execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Coordinate employee participation in volunteer opportunities and community initiatives.
• Maintain an annual community engagement and sponsorship calendar.

Budget & Vendor Management

• Assist in developing and managing the annual marketing budget.
• Evaluate and negotiate advertising opportunities and vendor agreements.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure efficient allocation of marketing resources.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, media partners, and service providers.

Internal Collaboration

• Partner with department leaders to support strategic initiatives and marketing needs.
• Support recruiting, employee engagement, and internal communication initiatives as needed.
• Provide regular reports, recommendations, and updates to executive leadership regarding marketing performance and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in marketing, sales, business development, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing successful marketing initiatives and community engagement programs.
• Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with customers, community organizations, business leaders, and external partners.
• Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Public Relations, Advertising, or a related field.
• Prior experience within a bank, credit union, financial institution, or other regulated industry.
• Experience managing marketing budgets and evaluating campaign performance.
• Experience with social media management, website administration, digital marketing, analytics tools, and customer communication platforms.
• Demonstrated success in sales, relationship management, business development, or customer acquisition activities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of marketing strategy, branding, public relations, advertising, and business development principles.
• Ability to think strategically while effectively managing day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• Excellent networking, relationship-building, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Professional presence and ability to serve as a representative of the Bank within the community.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound business decisions.
• Strong project management and event planning capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and common marketing, social media, and content management platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with all levels of the organization.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, kneel, and move throughout Bank facilities and event locations for extended periods.
• Ability to regularly travel to Bank branches, community meetings, networking events, and sponsorship activities.
• Ability to lift, carry, transport, and set up marketing materials, signs, displays, promotional items, decorations, and event equipment weighing up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to safely load and unload event materials from vehicles.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, telephones, and mobile devices.
• Ability to read and review written materials, advertisements, reports, contracts, and digital content.
• Ability to hear, communicate, and converse effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours to support Bank events, community activities, and business needs.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions during community events and promotional activities.

Work Environment

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment but requires frequent interaction with customers, community organizations, business leaders, vendors, and the general public. The employee will routinely attend off-site meetings, networking functions, community events, sponsorship activities, and Bank-hosted events.

Position Expectations

The Marketing & Community Development Officer is expected to function as a leader within the organization, demonstrating initiative, professionalism, sound judgment, and a commitment to advancing the Bank's strategic objectives. The individual must be capable of working independently, managing a variety of responsibilities simultaneously, and serving as a highly visible representative of the Bank throughout the community.

Job descriptions and work assignments are subject to change as business needs and conditions require. Management reserves the right to assign additional duties and responsibilities at any time.