Association Director of Marketing

Be the Voice. Shape the Story. Drive Community Impact
Job Description

If you’re driven to strengthen communities, inspire connection, and lead meaningful change—this is your moment.

As the Association Director of Marketing, you will serve as the strategic architect of how the YMCA engages communities across the region. This role goes beyond marketing—it’s about advancing mission impact through a unified, data-informed strategy that fuels growth, deepens relationships, and elevates the YMCA’s voice.

You’ll balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, ensuring every campaign and touchpoint reflects our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Qualifications

You are a strategic thinker, collaborative leader, and purpose-driven storyteller who thrives in a mission-focused environment.

  • 7–10+ years of progressive marketing experience, including leadership 
  • Proven success in multi-channel marketing and brand strategy 
  • Strong digital expertise (web, email, social, analytics, CRM) 
  • Data-driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into action 
  • Skilled at influencing, aligning, and mobilizing cross-functional teams 
  • Experience in nonprofit, community-based, or mission-driven organizations preferred 
  • Able to work effectively in a hybrid work environment
Essential Functions

Lead with Strategic Vision

  • Develop and execute an integrated, association-wide marketing strategy
  • Translate priorities (membership, youth development, philanthropy) into measurable results

Elevate the Brand

  • Champion a consistent, compelling voice across all channels
  • Lead storytelling that highlights community impact and builds trust

Drive Community Engagement

  • Design campaigns to increase membership and program participation
  • Partner across teams to support fundraising and community outreach

Own the Digital Experience

  • Oversee website, email, social media, and paid media
  • Use CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and data insights to optimize performance
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
  • Mission Advancement: Incorporates the Y's mission and values into the organization's vision and strategies. Ensures community engagement; promotes the global nature of the Y. Leads a culture of volunteerism, ensuring engagement, inclusion, and ownership.
  • Collaboration: Initiates the development of relationships with influential leaders to impact and strengthen the community. Is recognized as an inspirational community leader who navigates complex political and social circles with ease. Communicates to engage and inspire people within and outside the YMCA. Ensures that a talent management system is in place and executed effectively.
  • Operational Effectiveness: Possesses penetrating insight and strong strategic and critical thinking skills. Invests resources in well-designed innovation initiatives. Creates a structure to deliver organization-wide results to achieve objectives. Develops and implements stewardship strategies. Determines benchmarks and ensures appropriate leadership to meet objectives.
  • Personal Growth: Creates a learning organization. Effectively drives change by leveraging resources and creating alignment to expand organizational opportunities. Shares authority and demonstrates courage and humility. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Required Certifications

Team Leader certification

At the YMCA, you’re not just building a career—you’re building community.

  • Mission-Driven Impact: Contribute to meaningful, measurable change every day 
  • Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive environment grounded in shared values 
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family 
  • Wellness & Belonging: Complimentary YMCA membership for you and your household 
  • Retirement Security: 10% employer contribution + 403(b) and Roth options 
  • Work-Life Balance: Generous PTO and holidays 
  • Professional Growth: Access to leadership development, training, and certifications 
  • Welcoming Environment: A culture where all individuals feel valued and empowered

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a workplace culture where all employees are treated with fairness and respect.