Title: Brand & Marketing Specialist

Department: Marketing, Market Research & Analytics

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899

Category: Marketing/Sales

Minimum Pay Rate: $95,340.00

Maximum Pay Rate: $126,276.00

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 12/05/2023

Posting Type: Open

SMUD is a leader in the transition to a clean energy future and we’re proud to be delivering on the most ambitious carbon reduction goal of any large utility in the United States. We’re excited to welcome a seasoned branding and marketing professional to our award-winning Marketing & Corporate Communications team to help lead the way in engaging our customers in joining us in our clean energy journey.

We’re looking for an experienced marketing and branding professional who knows the ins and outs of marketing strategy, from leading creative campaign development to copywriting for highly targeted digital and traditional marketing channels. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience leading multi-discipline teams and external agencies on creative development for multi-channel, multi-language campaigns, including TV, radio, billboards, digital and print channels along with targeted multi-language community outreach materials. The successful candidate will also be experienced in maintaining corporate-wide brand guidelines, conducting brand voice training and providing guidance to staff throughout the company on adherence to brand standards.

Attention to detail, creativity, strong organization skills and a willingness to roll up your sleeves to support a wide variety of fast-paced work are musts. The successful candidate will be comfortable with all aspects of marketing and brand work – from looking at data and research to drive ROI to pitching new creative concepts and marketing campaigns to C-suite executives and working with staff to reach small customer segments with tailored messaging to support key programs, services and SMUD initiatives. This is a hybrid position with a minimum two days per week on site at SMUD and the remaining remote.

See "Cover Letter Requirement" section below. Please address those questions in your cover letter. Failure to respond to the questions may preclude you from moving forward in this process.

This posting intends to fill one (1) regular, full-time position. An eligibility list will also be established, which may be used to fill regular, full-time, or limited term positions, over the next two (2) years. If you are currently on a Marketing Specialist II eligibility list and would like to update your resume, you are encouraged to apply.

Official SMUD Classification: Marketing Specialist II

Purpose

To perform advertising, publication and marketing services for various District departments to enhance customer awareness of SMUD programs and maintain a positive SMUD image.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops strategic advertising, media and communications plans to increase customer awareness and participation in programs and services offered by SMUD and maintain SMUD's positive image in the community. To develop advertising strategies and plans to effectively promote SMUD programs, services and a positive image with customers.

• Designs, develops, writes, produces and manages the printing, distribution and production of print, radio and television advertise- ments, media buys for advertising and advertising communications tools of all types to overcome language, education, income and ethnic barriers. To provide management and services for the development of advertisements and related tools to enhance effectiveness and market reach of SMUD advertisements and media expenditures.

• Writes, develops, produces and prints rate notices, customer notifications and other customer communications to meet requirements of SMUD's Board of Directors resolutions and local, state and federal laws and regulations. To design advertising materials that conform to state, federal and SMUD mandates and regulations.

• Recommends topics for market research for selected SMUD programs and services to determine market potential, saturation rates, market opportunities, market barriers or objections, customer satisfaction and effectiveness of current program and service methodologies. To recommend market evaluation of topics for potential expansion of SMUD programs and services to increase understanding of customer acceptance and satisfaction and improve SMUD products and services.

• Reviews and reports advertising area expenditures to support assigned programs and services, program status and business planning processes. To monitor and report advertising expenditures to support program status and effective business planning.

• Participates in budget formulation and administration by preparing and administering advertising purchase orders; preparing and monitoring budgets for assigned programs; allocating limited funds and resources for required services in accordance with department priorities; and building, administering and monitoring schedules and work plans to meet program goals and deadlines. To participate in department budget administration to support cost effective program operations and department priorities and goals.

• Participates in and manages aspects of contract administration and contractor and consultant supervision by preparing purchase requests and bid specifications for graphic design, advertising services and related media/marketing services; administering contracts, work plans, schedules and billing; reviewing contractor or consultant submittals of copy, graphic designs, proposals and artwork; and by supervising the training and orientation of outside contractor personnel on awarded SMUD projects for assigned programs. To ensure department projects are completed within scope, budget and schedule and contractor and consultant performance meets established contract requirements and SMUD quality, safety and policy standards.Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract. To support the overall achievement and completion of department projects.

• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

• High School diploma or equivalent

Required Experience Qualifications

• Four (4+) or more years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in writing copy and producing advertising and marketing materials for advertising, public relations or in-house agency; preparing advertising proposals and budget submittals; marketing, selling or advertising services and package goods products; conducting and evaluating market research; and preparing and delivering public presentations.

Knowledge Of

Principles and practices of marketing and advertising; practices of industry standards for graphic development, print, radio and television ads, radio buys and print and media production techniques; techniques of evaluation and research; principles and practices of grass-roots advertising; principles and practices for budget administration and accounting; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing and controlling work activities; techniques and practices for negotiating; principles and practices of program evaluation; procedures and practices for overseeing contractors/consultants work activities; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Provide complete marketing, advertising and customer communications products; write and edit advertising and information brochure copy; develop strategic advertising plans and advertising strategies; develop and implement complex media plans and schedules; evaluate market research results; define specific targets including demographic or psychographic profiles of potential customers for proposed programs; prepare technical reports and presentations; interact with others to influence, motivate and challenge; analyze situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; interpret, analyze and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; assist in budget preparation and administration; plan, oversee and review the work of others, including outside graphic designers, advertising agencies or other outside consultants; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Education

BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in English, communications, marketing or business administration or related field or equivalent experience.

Desirable Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in the following:

• Leading development of flagship multi-channel marketing campaigns, from within or in leading input from external creative agencies.

• Pitching marketing campaigns to senior leadership and interacting and collaborating with all levels of the organization including cross-functional teams project managers, operations and customer service.

• Developing, updating and implementing brand guidelines in large, complex organizations.

• Reviewing, editing and providing feedback and direction to stakeholders at all levels on marketing content and materials to ensure compliance with brand guidelines and consistency across communications.

• Developing and executing multi-media marketing strategies that increase brand awareness and engagement.

• Understanding of market research and analytics techniques and data to gain consumer insights, identify trends and opportunities and experience in using these to optimize marketing efforts and improve ROI.

• Developing video scripts and producing tv and radio commercials, videos and other market assets, working independently, with a team and with production partners/vendors.

• Monitoring and analyzing sales data and other metrics, and reporting on performance to internal stakeholders, leveraging dashboards and data visualization when applicable.

• Developing scope of services for requests for proposals or requests for quotes to procure vendor services, adhering to policies and procedures.

• Experience developing and manage budgets for multi-media marketing campaigns, including reviewing and approving invoices for media placements and outside services provided by vendors under contract.

• Stay up to date on utility industry and general marketing and branding trends and best practices.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License CDL and a satisfactory driving record not more than two moving violations in the last two years.

Cover Letter Requirement

Please respond to the following question(s) in your cover letter. Failure to respond may preclude you from moving forward in this process. Please do not indicate “refer to resume” as a response to the questions as it will be viewed as incomplete.

• Please describe your experience with creative marketing campaign development, multi-channel marketing strategy development and execution and overseeing or participating in implementing and maintaining brand guidelines. Please describe the type and size of organization(s) where you gained this experience.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Hybrid Work

This position is currently required to work on campus at SMUD a minimum of two days per week. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to hybrid work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Req ID: 934