Director of Marketing

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

The Oregon Zoo is looking for dynamic Director of Marketing who will collaborate with key departments to create cohesive campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, drive visitation, and increase overall brand awareness. This role involves overseeing all marketing channels, including digital, print, social media, and traditional advertising, to engage with current and potential visitors. The Director will develop performance metrics and ensure effective allocation of resources to achieve financial and operational objectives.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Operations, the Director of Marketing is a member of the executive team and leads a team of full-time professionals, including:

• Senior Graphic & Interpretive Designer
• Senior Brand & Marketing Communications Designer
• Marketing Specialist
• Graphics Technician

The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome almost 1.4 million visitors each year. Our zoo is home to more than 200 different animal species. Our mission is to create a better future for wildlife, with a focus on fighting extinction locally in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo is widely recognized for its commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and research. 

Based on the business needs of the Oregon Zoo, the Director of Marketing selected for this position will have the expectation of working on-site at the Zoo 400 SW Canyon RD, Portland, OR 97221.

As the Director of Marketing you will

• Strategic Planning & Execution: In partnership with Director of Communication, develop and execute marketing, advertising, and brand strategies to drive general admission and event attendance, increase memberships, enhance audience engagement regarding animal wellbeing and conservation impact, build brand recognition, support existing and create new revenue streams. Stay informed of industry trends and best practices to ensure innovative and effective campaigns.
• Brand Leadership: Safeguard the integrity and consistency of the Oregon Zoo brand during an extended period of significant construction by implementing meticulous planning and strategic oversight. Lead all brand-related initiatives, both onsite and offsite, including design, signage, messaging, and content creation, ensuring alignment with the zoo's mission and vision.
• Audience Research & Analysis: Use market research and audience data to inform strategic and annual plans, improving the effectiveness of marketing efforts and ensuring alignment with visitor needs.
• Collaboration with Oregon Zoo Foundation (OZF): Collaborate closely with Oregon Zoo Foundation to enhance visibility and support key programs, including membership, development, advocacy, and fundraising, to achieve organizational goals. Partners to create and implement corporate sponsorship packages, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and mission.
• Stakeholder Management: Foster positive relationships with internal teams (e.g., animal care, education, operations) and external partners (e.g., vendors, regulatory bodies, community and travel organizations, media and advertising agencies) to ensure seamless coordination, compliance, engagement and delivery, contributing to the overall success of zoo mission.
• Digital Marketing & Communications: Oversee all digital marketing efforts, including website management, social media advertising, email campaigns, and digital signage. Ensure a seamless, inclusive and up-to-date visitor experience online.
• Media & Advertising: Manage paid media strategies, including SEM, SEO, display advertising, and social media buys. Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of all advertising efforts, providing regular updates to leadership.
• Team Leadership & Development: Supervise and support a team of marketing and interpretive design professionals, ensuring effective resource management and timely execution of plans. Lead recruitment, development, performance evaluation, and professional growth for direct reports.
• Budget& Resource Management: Oversee the marketing budget, including media buys, staffing, contracts with agencies and freelancers, and promotional material production. Ensure cost-effective strategies and efficient use of resources.
• Reporting & Evaluation: Regularly report on marketing and advertising performance, providing data-driven insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Attributes for Success

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across departments and align diverse teams toward common goals in a matrixed environment.
• Strategic Vision: Strong ability to develop long-term marketing strategies that align with overall business objectives and drive growth.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to navigate complex, changing environments and manage competing priorities across multiple stakeholders.
• Influence & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships, influence decision-makers, and communicate ideas clearly to various audiences.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in using analytics and market insights to inform marketing strategies and measure success.

Approximate Recruitment Timeline 

• Department Review February  18th – 24th  
• First round interview March 3rd- 6th 
• Second round interview March 10th – 20th 
• Final round in-person/onsite March 31st- April 4th 
• Reference and Offer Week of April 7th

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION                                              

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.  

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field is preferred; AND
• At least 4 years of leadership experience including staff supervision in marketing, communication, sales or related experience; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
• Position will be required to be onsite/in person primarily Monday-Friday with some evenings and weekend work 

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Previous experience managing in a union an environment. 
• Previous experience working in a Zoo, Aquarium, Museum or Attraction
• 6-8 years of experience marketing, sales or related experience 
• At least three years managing staff and multiple teams

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed Resume that includes the details for each employer
  1. Name of employer, working title  
  2. Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time your title, 
  3. Number of employees supervised 
  4. Summary of your responsibilities
• Answer two supplementary questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $102,984.94 to step 7 $138,009.83. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1 $102,984.94 to the equity range Step 4 $119,218.53.00 

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as an Program Supervisor II.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Kara Hill  

Email: Kara.Hill@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.  

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Salary : $102,985 - $138,010