Director of Marketing & Communications

Director of Marketing & Communications (Full-Time/Exempt) Location: Main Library Starting Pay Range: $105,539.20-$177,860.80 (commensurate with experience) Note: For internal candidates, pay adjustments are made in accordance with our Compensation and Salary Administration policy
*Applications will be accepted through February 1, 2026.

Our Commitment to Diversity
Open to all doesn’t just apply to our customers, it applies to our hiring practices as well. We put respect at the top of our values and that’s how we treat our candidates and employees. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is committed to equal employment opportunity and adheres to these principles in decisions regarding hiring. The Library does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based upon their sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, color, ancestry, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, familial status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

At Columbus Metropolitan Library, we are striving to build a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. Learn more about Our Employee Experience: . What We Offer:

• A robust benefits package that supports your physical, mental, and financial well-being.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to meet your healthcare needs.
• A qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness .
• Access to mental health resources and employee assistance programs for your peace of mind.
• Generous paid time off and leave options to balance your work and personal life.
• Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and additional investment & savings plans.
• A variety of voluntary and supplemental insurance plans to complement your lifestyle.

Comprehensive overview of our benefits:

About the Position:

As the Director of Marketing & Communications (M&C), you will serve as CML’s senior-most marketing leader, responsible for shaping the institution’s brand, defining modern marketing strategy, elevating customer insight capabilities, and strengthening storytelling and communications This position leads the execution of the library’s marketing strategy, including the development and execution of strategic and integrated communications, partnership and community relations strategies ensuring that all communications and activities appropriately and accurately express the library’s vision, community image, position, and values.

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for all marketing, public relations, customer insights/marketing data and integrated communications strategies for the library.
• Develops and manages strategic and integrated marketing plans, as well as department specific goals and objectives to support the library’s strategic plan.
• Leads the development of CML’s marketing insights, analytics, audience segmentation, and M&Cs performance measurement capabilities. Ensures data informs messaging, channel strategy, campaigns, and organizational decision making.
• Positions the M&C team as a strategic partner for internal partners.
• Leads brand strategy to ensure coherent, consistent, compelling brand expression across channels, branches, and experiences.
• Oversees the creative direction, content strategy, digital experience, and content management.
• Leads the library’s crisis communication response plan and makes recommendations on communication protocols. May serve as the library’s primary spokesperson for the delivery of the library’s message to external constituents.
• Manages and monitors department budget; coordinates, initiates and approves documentation to ensure proper fiscal and regulatory control.
• Provides marketing and public relations counsel to library CEO and executive leadership team as needed.
• Prepares and executes executive and/or organizational level messages, including presentations, correspondence and written remarks.
• Responsible for staff onboarding, professional development, assessment, coaching and training of assigned staff. Sets individual performance measurements for staff and holds them accountable. Ensures team is built on modern structures and workflows and that each staff member has role clarity.
• In collaboration with the Planning & Strategy Officer, cultivates and optimizes strategic partnerships on behalf of the library as assigned. Engages with strategic partners to foster and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships. Proactively identify, design, and propose new opportunities to expand and enhance partnerships that align with the organization’s goals and growth objectives.
• Identifies and meets with key business and non-profit leaders, organizations, community groups, educational institutions and other entities to partner with the library to increase brand awareness.
• Serves as a member of library’s Directors’ Team. Represents the M&C Department on other committees as needed. Leads and/or co-chairs large projects through effective project management as needed.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field required; Master's preferred
• 7+ years’ of progressive management experience in marketing, brand strategy, communications, or related fields
• Experience leading a marketing function in a multi-stakeholder environment (library, public sector, nonprofit, higher ed, or civic organization experience preferred)
• Demonstrated success building or applying audience insights, digital strategy, and performance measurement
• Experience leading cross-functional planning processes and collaborating at the executive leadership level
• Experience managing creative, content, and channel teams (including external partners/agencies)
• Experience building modern marketing capabilities such as segmentation, analytics, content strategy, and integrated planning approaches
• Ability to lead and mentor teams through change
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Ability to operate library technology including personal computer, email, software programs (i.e. Windows/Microsoft Office) and other job-related equipment and systems
• Ability to utilize reliable transportation to promptly report to job assignment and other locations, per job requirements.

Positions Managed

This is a supervisory position.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles (e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, and/or working in moderate outdoor weather conditions).

Work requires minimal demand for physical effort.