Vice President of Marketing and Communication StrategyChristian Appalachian Project

Job Details: Level: Senior, Job Location: Lexington Office - Lexington, KY 40509, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGY Bring your strategic vision and leadership to Christian Appalachian Project. As a key member of CAP’s leadership team, the Vice President of Marketing & Communications Strategy will help shape the organization’s brand, voice, and strategic direction while leading innovative, mission-driven marketing and communications strategies that strengthen engagement and advance CAP’s impact throughout Appalachia and beyond. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered. Summary: The VP of Marketing and Communication Strategy provides leadership for Christian Appalachian Project’s integrated marketing, communications, brand, and engagement strategies, ensuring all communications advance the organization’s mission, strengthen public trust, and support long term organizational growth. This position serves as CAP's lead strategist for brand management, executive communications, public relations, internal communications, digital engagement, and organizational storytelling. Through market research, audience insights, data analytics, and cross functional collaboration, the position ensures consistent brand alignment and impactful communications across all organizational channels and stakeholder touchpoints. The VP of Marketing and Communication Strategy provides strategic counsel to CAP Leadership, supports crisis and reputation management efforts, and drives communication initiatives that enhance visibility, engagement, philanthropy, volunteerism, employee engagement, and mission impact. This role will lead strategies that significantly increase public awareness of Christian Appalachian Project, elevate organizational visibility, and strengthen CAP’s position as one of Appalachia’s leading nonprofit organizations. The position also delivers evidence-based recommendations and performance reporting to the CAP Leadership Team and promotes a culture of communication excellence and brand stewardship throughout the organization. Essential Job Functions: Strategic Marketing, Communications, and Brand Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing, communication, and brand strategy aligned with CAP's mission, values, strategic priorities, and organizational goals. Lead the implementation, evolution, and ongoing stewardship of CAP’s organizational brand strategy, ensuring the successful execution of brand positioning, messaging architecture, visual identity standards, and audience engagement strategies across all departments and stakeholder groups. Utilize market research, audience insights, trend analysis, and stakeholder feedback to inform communication planning, brand positioning, and organizational messaging. Lead brand strategy efforts that strengthen awareness, engagement, credibility, and trust among donors, volunteers, clients, employees, churches, community partners, and the public. Develop executive communication strategies that support leadership visibility, organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder confidence. Proactively identify communication opportunities, organizational risks, and reputational concerns, while developing communication strategies and messaging plans to address them. Inspire internal and external stakeholders through compelling storytelling, mission-centered messaging, audience-focused communication strategies, and innovative engagement approaches. Provide evidence-based recommendations to CAP Leadership grounded in performance metrics, audience engagement data, and communication analytics. Demonstrate strong analytical skills and strategic thinking to translate organizational objectives into measurable communication outcomes. Integrated Marketing, Public Relations, and Audience Engagement Lead the development and implementation of integrated marketing and communication campaigns across digital, print, social media, public relations, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, employee engagement, and stakeholder communication channels. Develop and oversee content strategies that effectively communicate CAP's mission, impact, programs, and strategic priorities through storytelling, multimedia content, advocacy initiatives, and constituent engagement efforts. Create audience segmentation strategies and communication plans that deliver relevant, targeted messaging to key stakeholder groups. Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, community partners, churches, influencers, and strategic stakeholders to expand CAP's visibility and strengthen organizational reputation. Provide strategic oversight and direction for CAP’s media relations, public messaging, and reputation management efforts while partnering with communications staff responsible for day to day media engagement. Develop and maintain crisis communication plans, communication protocols, and reputation management strategies that support organizational resilience and public trust. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to brand awareness, audience engagement, communication effectiveness, digital marketing performance, website engagement, media reach, and stakeholder outreach. Deliver executive dashboards, communication performance reports, and strategic recommendations that demonstrate measurable outcomes and support data informed organizational decision making. Organizational Alignment, Brand Governance, and Communication Excellence Guide collaborative communication planning across departments to ensure consistent messaging, strategic alignment, and coordinated stakeholder engagement efforts throughout the organization. Serve as CAP's brand steward by establishing and maintaining brand standards, governance processes, and communication guidelines that ensure consistency across marketing materials, digital platforms, publications, events, fundraising initiatives, and stakeholder touchpoints. Lead organizational communication strategies that foster employee engagement, organizational alignment, change management, culture building, and mission integration across all levels of the organization. Provide consultation, training, and support to leaders and departments regarding branding, messaging, communication best practices, audience engagement strategies, and content development. Continuously evaluate emerging communication trends, artificial intelligence applications, audience engagement technologies, and digital platforms to ensure CAP remains an innovative leader in nonprofit communications and storytelling. Leverage emerging technologies, digital communication platforms, CRM systems, marketing automation tools, AI applications, and storytelling solutions to enhance communication effectiveness and stakeholder engagement. Ensure strategic oversight of website content, digital communication platforms, and communication workflows to maintain brand consistency and optimize user experience. Foster a culture of communication excellence, collaboration, innovation, and accountability while ensuring a cohesive, mission-centered brand experience across all internal and external communications. Qualifications: Education: • Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business, or related field – Required • Master's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, Nonprofit Leadership, or related field – Preferred Extensive related experience may substitute for education requirements and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Years of Experience: • Ten (10) or more years of successful executive-level experience in marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, nonprofit marketing, fundraising communications, media relations, corporate communications, or a combination of education and experience. Certifications and Licensure: • Possess a Valid Kentucky Driver's License and Maintain a Safe Driving Record Required • CAP Driving Certification* (or ability to obtain within first 90 days) Required *In order to drive personal vehicle on CAP business, must obtain and maintain a policy of motor vehicle insurance coverage on privately-owned vehicle with insurance coverage amounts of $50,000 bodily injury per person per accident; $100,000 bodily injury for all bodily injuries per accident; and $50,000 property damage per accident. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. • Demonstrated expertise in marketing strategy, brand management, and organizational communications. • Strong understanding of public relations, media relations, and reputation management principles. • Experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communication campaigns. • Ability to analyze data and communication metrics to inform strategy and decision-making. • Experience with digital marketing, social media management, content strategy, and website governance. • Knowledge of CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, analytics tools, and emerging communication technologies. • Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. • Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external stakeholders. • Commitment to CAP's mission, values, and Christian ministry. Physical Requirements: • Ability to reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, stand, and walk • Lift 45 pounds • Sit for extended periods of time • Have good visual acuity with corrective lenses • Have good hearing capabilities