What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Copywriting position at The Gideons International?
Job T
Job Title: Manager, Copywriting
Department: Member Care & Engagement
Status: Regular Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, International Headquarters
Purpose and Scope
The Copywriting Manager leads the development of compelling copy and creative concepts to engage, equip, and empower membership. Oversees the direction, tone, and consistency of content across various programs, products, services, and initiatives. Guides and mentors a team of writers while managing workflows to ensure timely and effective execution of marketing and editorial deliverables. Writes, edits, and reviews content for a wide range of materials, including print and digital ads, direct mail campaigns, in-house magazine articles, video scripts, and online communications (blogs, website, email, social media, etc.). Collaborates cross-functionally with stakeholders to align messaging with organizational goals and audience needs. Responsible for the coordination and execution of creative projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables that drive engagement and impact.
Essential Job Functions
Leadership & Brand Communication
- Leads the development and execution of verbal/written brand expression, ensuring consistency across all channels to various audiences.
- Guides and mentors team members in aligning content with the Association’s brand, mission, and key messaging.
- Consults with senior leadership to establish best practices for writing content and support materials.
Creative Development & Strategy
- Oversees collaboration with the senior content manager, graphic designers, art director, and project coordinators to manage the development and execution of multiple projects, from concept to final production.
- Leads creative ideation sessions with the writers, developing innovative concepts that enhance brand impact.
- Works closely with the art director to foster a collaborative culture between writers and designers from concept all the way through to deliverable completion.
- Analyzes communication and marketing trends, implementing best practices to optimize engagement.
Editorial Oversight & Quality Assurance
- Reviews, revises, and edits content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with the defined proofing standards of The Gideons International.
- Provides strategic guidance to project owners and other stakeholders on verbal/written brand communications.
- Ensures all content is doctrinally sound and reflects an evangelical/biblical context.
Stakeholder Engagement & Field Research
- Conducts interviews with members, clients, and other stakeholders for content development, which may require travel.
- Keeps project owners, supervisors, and team members informed of project deliverable status and provides marketing insights to optimize effectiveness.
- Leads communication and engagement with the Editorial Board to gain feedback and ideas for continuous improvement of The Gideon magazine.
Digital Marketing & Automation
- Develops compelling copy for written and electronic communications, including email marketing, digital campaigns, and promotional materials.
- Understands and applies basic concepts related to email marketing automation to improve engagement and outreach.
- Stays up to date with marketing communication trends and cultural insights to enhance brand messaging.
Team Leadership
- Manages a team of writers, providing guidance, feedback, and input to refine their copy development.
- Assigns tasks based on team members’ strengths, capacity, interest, and project priorities.
- Promotes and hires interns, as needed, to assist with content development, testimony curation, and story archiving.
- Oversees the performance management process, conducting regular check-ins to support individual growth and team success.
- Identifies and addresses skill gaps within the team, offering training or development suggestions as needed.
Working Relationships
Reports To: Senior Content Manager
People Management Responsibility: Sr. Copywriters, Copywriters, Writing Intern
Works Closely With: Project Coordinators, Copywriters, Art Director, Graphic Designers, Member Care & Engagement Director, as well as other divisions within the organization
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Training, & Development
Non-physical
- Follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to use both PC and Apple based hardware and operating systems and widely-used software applications for either.
- Ability to learn new software applications as necessary.
- Ability to provide both analytical and creative skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all divisions, vendors, and members.
- Thorough understanding of current trends in copywriting and content development/marketing.
- Thorough understanding of how to use language and visuals to inform, inspire, and motivate
- Able to develop copy that aligns with the Style Guide of The Gideons International
- Proficient in managing multiple projects and deliverables.
- Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Teamwork, and Zoom
- Experience with InDesign and Survey Monkey is a benefit but not a must
- Experience using the Mac OS platform
Physical
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
Mission Critical Competencies
SHARED VALUES
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Open Communication
- Stewardship
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Ability to work closely with and influence others to achieve desired results.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Fosters a member-first culture
- Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the organization’s culture in all actions and words. Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.
- Actively learns the various internal resources used in information gathering and content development.
- Demonstrates a clear grasp of the interests and behaviors of various stakeholder segments.
- Proven ability to keep a big picture perspective while dealing with very detailed information.
- Fosters open communications and approachability.
- Positive and constructive attitude.
- Active listening skills.
- Ability to work closely with and influence others to achieve desired results.
- Must have excellent written and oral skills and be able to communicate with all levels of leadership and membership.
Work Environment and Time Requirements
- Climate-controlled office environment
- Variations in work volume sometimes require extended working hours
- Travel required as necessary
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field
- 5–10 years of creative, content, editorial or marketing experience
- Social media content development desired
- Work within tight deadlines
- Submission of quality writing samples
- Experience in writing multimedia copy
Preferred Qualifications
- Working knowledge and understanding of the Association: Gideon policies, procedures, and
organizational structure
This Job Description is for general purposes and guidelines only and should not be considered all-inclusive. Neither does the receipt of this job description constitute an employment contract. Furthermore, it should be known that this list of job requirements is subject to change without written notice.