Director of Marketing

Summary: The Director of Marketing leads strategic communications and marketing initiatives across the Company’s business units, including banking and trust, investment advisory, and consulting. This role is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies, marketing communications, public relations activities, and social media campaigns, both externally and internally. The position also emphasizes leveraging non-traditional marketing channels such as podcasts, influencer partnerships, and digital platforms to amplify brand awareness and engagement. Additionally, the role oversees the creation and execution of support materials and services, ensuring alignment across communications, public relations, and social media efforts. The incumbent directs the marketing, communications, and public relations teams while coordinating with other sales functions at both strategic and tactical levels to drive the Company’s objectives.

Salary Range: The salary range budgeted for this position is $175,000/yr to $200,000/yr and represents the Company's good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The compensation offered to a candidate may vary depending on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. 

The Company also offers various benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(K) match. Other rewards may include annual performance-based bonuses and wellness days. 

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a First Foundation Inc. position. Currently, we cannot sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an Employment Visa.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• The position reports to the COO and serves as a member of the management team.
• This position participates with the Executive Staff and other management staff in charting the direction of the First Foundation, assuring its accountability to all constituencies, and ensuring its effective operation.
• Within the First Foundation, the position has primary working relationships with the Business Unit Sales Managers and, senior management team. 

Principle Accountabilities

Marketing Communications and Public Relations Duties:

• Responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the success of: 
  1. A comprehensive marketing program employing communications, advertising, direct marketing, community involvement, and public relations program that will enhance the First Foundation’s image and position within the marketplace and the public. 
  2. All First Foundation marketing, communications, and public relations activities and materials including publications, media relations, client acquisition, and so forth. 
• Ensure articulation of First Foundation’s desired image and position, assure consistent communication of image and position throughout First Foundation, and assure communication of image and position to all constituencies, both internal and external. 
• Responsible for editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of all First Foundation publications. 
• Coordinate media interest in First Foundation and ensure regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests. 
• Coordinate First Foundation representative’s response to media requests. 
• Coordinate the appearance of all First Foundation print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, etc. 
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee programs, technical assistance, and resource materials to assist regional offices in the marketing, communications, and positioning of their sales activities. 
• Ensure that First Foundation regularly conducts relevant market research and coordinates and oversees this activity. Monitor trends. 
• Responsible for the achievement of marketing/communications/public relations mission, goals, and financial objectives. 
• Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the marketing/communications/ public relations program and its activities, monitor progress, assure adherence, and evaluate performance. 
• Recommend short- and long-term First Foundation goals and objectives to Business Unit Managers and senior management. 
• Develop, implement, and monitor systems and procedures necessary for the smooth operation of the marketing/communications/public relations function. 
• Keep informed of developments in the fields of marketing, communications, and public relations.

First Foundation Marketing Strategy Duties

• Assist in making sure that First Foundation’s philosophy, mission, and vision are pertinent and practiced throughout the organization. 
• Develop and coordinate means to seek regular input from the First Foundation’s key constituencies regarding the quality of services and products. 
• Ensure effective management within the marketing, communications, and public relations function, with provision for succession. 
• Effectively enable staff so they can act on behalf of First Foundation by: 
  1. Transmitting the First Foundation’s values, vision, and direction 
  2. Respecting and using the skills, expertise, experience, and insights of people 
• Such other duties as may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises the Marketing Coordinator. Carries out supervisory responsibilities per the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.       

Qualifications:

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 essential functions. The candidate should demonstrate:

• Knowledge and experience in the financial and banking service industries, with emphasis on marketing and strategic communications
• Strong interpersonal as well as oral and written communication skills
• Strong computer proficiency and knowledge of MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook 
• Excellent calendar management skills
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task in a timely and efficient manner, prioritizing as needed and maintaining control over various projects and responsibilities
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Strong work ethic, including attendance, responsibility, accountability, ethics, and integrity; and
• Confidentiality and trustworthiness concerning company and client information. 

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required and 5 to 10 years of experience in developing and marketing financial and banking services targeting high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and entrepreneurial businesses and professional service providers; marketing or strategic communications experience; and executive leadership experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

First Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.