Vice President, Communications and Marketing

Leading the Communications and Marketing Department to further the interests of WSWA members. Working collaboratively with other WSWA Departments and leaders to identify communications opportunities and execute with the assistance of communications and marketing professionals that he/she supervises.

Advancing WSWA’s advocacy priorities through a broad communications strategy, including media relations, production of collateral materials, digital assets, industry partnerships, and other efforts to promote WSWA’s advocacy agenda in Washington, in states, and other specific markets.

Writing, editing, and producing various materials, with the assistance of Department staff and other partners, including social media, website content, newsletters, press releases, and marketing collateral.

Creating and overseeing the association’s internal communications, regularly communicating with membership on key issues, advocacy outcomes, and initiatives. Communicating with members, volunteers, event attendees, and other stakeholders to increase engagement.

Holding WSWA accountable for brand management through an established brand guide, along with consistent branding from print assets to digital properties, such as microsites (e.g., Access LIVE website).

Working with Department staff to ensure all programs and events are properly promoted through multiple channels to achieve registration goals, as well as generate leads for advertising and sales goals.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Advocacy, WSWA Meetings and Events, and SipSource

• Work collaboratively with other Departments to prepare and execute a thorough communications and marketing program, measuring coverage and evaluating results against planned outcomes.
• Increase positive awareness of the association’s legislative and advocacy initiatives (federal & state) to key stakeholders through all channels.
• Proactively identify relevant communication opportunities and act on them accordingly (e.g., events, Capitol Hill forums, etc.), while exercising significant discretion on what opportunities WSWA should embrace.
• Create and manage internal, external, and marketing communications, including writing and editing copy across a variety of platforms such as news releases, internal and external publications, talking points, presentations, speeches, marketing pieces, and website content.
• Position SipSource as the best source for accurate, quality data about what is happening in today’s wine and spirits market.
• Identify and develop speaking and other opportunities for key WSWA members or staff supporting WSWA’s advocacy and other objectives.
• Develop and maintain an active network of contacts within the beverage industry, agencies, media, etc.
• Ensure WSWA’s digital presence is fully integrated into WSWA’s advocacy and other communications efforts.

Association and Social Responsibility Outreach

• Build, protect, and defend the image and reputation of WSWA and wholesalers with key stakeholders by highlighting wholesalers’ role in a well-regulated beverage alcohol system.
• In coordination with other Departments, develop and implement events, campaigns, and collateral as needed to advance knowledge of the state-based 3-tier system and the important role of the wholesaler.
• Position WSWA as the go-to source of relevant industry news, opinion, commentary, and trends.

General Public Affairs

• Serve as point person on association media interactions.
• Oversee development and production of SipSource, Access LIVE, marketing, and advocacy collateral material.
• Ensure consistent messaging throughout all WSWA communications.
• Create and execute the Communications Department budget.
• Crisis communications lead, if necessary.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of communications and public affairs experience, specifically developing and executing advocacy communication strategies, programs, and products.
• Understands the broad scope of advocacy communications — media relations, political advocacy, internal communications, and marketing.
• Demonstrated ability as an on-the-record spokesperson.
• Must be a persuasive and articulate advocate, an excellent storyteller, able to shape messages clearly and memorably.
• Background in government, campaigns, advocacy, or similar fields.
• Must already have established media relationships.
• Must be detail-oriented, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and able to work in cross-functional teams.
• Marketing experience through all channels.

Preferred

• Knowledge of the beverage-alcohol or hospitality industry.
• Coalition building at the national level.
• Experience working in and/or with trade associations.

Email [email protected] for more information on how to apply.