Director of Marketing

Summary: The Director of Marketing will lead esp’s marketing, public relations, and e-commerce efforts to strengthen brand awareness, drive revenue, grow the volunteer base, and support future growth. This role oversees a growing marketing team, reports to the Chief Operating Officer, partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer and serves as part of esp’s Executive Leadership Team.

We are on a mission to expand our reach, creating universal places of belonging beyond our current program sites in Athens, Atlanta, Rome, and Savannah. To grow sustainably, we need a dynamic storyteller and strategic leader who can amplify our impact, engage new supporters, and drive financial growth.

Top Five Responsibilities:

1. Lead and develop a high-performing marketing team, including staff and contractors.
2. Elevate brand awareness through innovative campaigns, digital marketing, PR, and events.
3. Manage brand identity across all platforms, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment.
4. Partner with the CEO on thought leadership, social media strategy, and speaking engagements.
5. Collaborate with Development & Programs teams to drive revenue, donor engagement, sponsorships, volunteer recruitment, and program participation.

About esp

esp exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families, changing communities for the better! Founded in 1986 in Watkinsville, Georgia, esp now operates four locations across the state of Georgia to provide year-round programming, summer camp, and family support to nearly 1,000 families and growing. To learn more, visit espyouandme.org

Our Values

• Infused with Joyful Hospitality
• Innovating Possibilities
• Activating the Abilities of All
• Fascinated with Fun
• Compassion, Freely Given
• Connecting the Unconnected
• Persevering, Together

Key Competencies

• Exceptional Supervisory & Coaching Skills
• Naturally Optimistic Team Leader
• Proactive Relationship Builder
• Ability to cast vision and dive down to tactical details
• Strong Project Manager and Self-Starter
• Ability to Manage Multiple Competing Priorities
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Resourceful and data-driven
• Astute Problem solver
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• Impeccable Customer Service
• Flexible
• Fearless and Creative
• Great listener
• Action-drive

Detailed Functions, Responsibilities & Skills:

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide vision, leadership, and mentorship to the marketing team, including full-time staff, contractors, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, and data-driven decision-making within the marketing function.
• Translate organizational goals into clear marketing strategies that connect big-picture initiatives with real-time execution.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across departments to ensure a unified brand voice and integrated communication efforts.
• Establish best practices, tools, and processes for marketing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Serve alongside Leadership Team to achieve overall organizational alignment across all functions
• Strong focus on continuous improvement and cross-functional teams

Marketing Strategy & Brand Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing plan that aligns with esp’s three-year strategic goals and supports program growth, fundraising, and community outreach.
• Lead branding efforts to enhance esp’s identity, ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms and materials to drive revenue from multiple channels - from in-person development activities to digital campaigns and merchandise.
• Scale robust, revenue-driving merchandise marketing strategies for esp, Java Joy, and See Ability (@SeeAbilityShop).
• Oversee the creation of compelling and relevant content for digital, print, and social media that resonates with donors, volunteers, participants, and the broader community.
• Utilize market research and analytics to refine strategies, optimize engagement, and measure impact.
• Develop targeted revenue-driving campaigns to increase donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.
• Drive digital marketing initiatives, including website management, email marketing, and paid/organic social media strategies.

Public Relations & Thought Leadership

• Act as the primary media contact and manage all public relations efforts to elevate esp’s brand.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, influencers, and strategic partners.
• Proactively work with esp’s retained communications agency to seek opportunities for press coverage, including feature stories, CEO speaking engagements, and mission-driven storytelling.
• Closely collaborate with the CEO on driving the See Ability vision and execution of Podcast, social strategy, and thought-leadership focused blog content.
• Lead crisis communication planning and reputation management efforts.
• Review external communications to ensure alignment with esp’s brand, values, and messaging guidelines.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

• Develop and implement marketing initiatives that attract and retain donors, volunteers, and program participants.
• Partner with the Development team to create compelling fundraising campaigns that drive donor engagement and philanthropy.
• Enhance esp’s visibility in the community by identifying key partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and brand collaborations.
• Build a strong content strategy and oversee storytelling efforts to amplify esp’s impact and inspire action from supporters.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12 years of marketing experience, preferably in an agency, franchise, or non-profit setting.
• 5 years of leadership experience, with a proven ability to build, develop, and manage high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinker with experience in long-term planning (3 years out), scaling processes, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Expertise in digital marketing, brand management, public relations, and content strategy.
• Strong background in media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Data-driven decision-maker with experience in tracking, measuring, and optimizing marketing performance.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, fast-paced problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive innovation.
• Willingness to work on-site in Watkinsville/Athens, GA (1-2 days/week) and travel periodically to esp site locations (Rome, Atlanta, Athens, Savannah) for events, including evenings/weekends.
• Passion for esp’s mission and commitment to amplifying its impact.
• Proficiency with the following platforms: Salesforce, Shopify, Wordpress, Google Analytics, Asana, Mailchimp, Social Media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Meta)

Job Details

• Compensation: $95,000 variable compensation opportunity
• FLSA Status: Exempt, Salaried, Full-Time
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Supplemental, 401k matching after one-year, generous PTO policy
• Supervisor: Chief Operating Officer, with dotted line to CEO for Thought Leadership activities and initiatives, as well as SeeAbility.
• Supervises: Marketing Team
• Location: Candidates must be willing to work from our Headquarters in Athens, GA at least 2-3 days a week, and be open to traveling to other esp sites periodically for special events and activities. Ability and willingness to work exclusively from the esp Athens HQ, a plus!
• Job Type: Hybrid (in-person work from home)

Qualified applicants, please complete this form to apply. Applications close March 25, 2025

esp provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

esp is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. As part of this commitment, esp will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact contact esp’s People Team at hr@espyouandme.org