Manager, Marketing and Communications

Background:

Tulsa Innovation Labs LLC (TIL) is a tech-led economic development organization headquartered in Tulsa, OK, pioneered by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. The organization is responsible for catalyzing Tulsa’s leadership in advanced industries. We believe that by building a world-class tech hub in America’s heartland, we unlock opportunity for all.

Founded in January 2020, TIL has already made waves nationally, securing a $38.2M Build Back Better Regional Challenge award and a $51.7M EDA Tech Hubs Implementation award. Remarkably, TIL is one of only two communities in the country to achieve both honors, positioning us as a trailblazer in driving regional growth and innovation. As we transition from our startup phase to an established role as a systems hub and community leader, TIL is entering an exciting new chapter. This next phase demands bold thinking, operational excellence, and the ability to scale our capacity to match the growing opportunities before us. Joining TIL means becoming part of a high-impact organization shaping the future of our community and beyond.

Position Summary:

The Manager of Marketing and Communications leads the development and execution of strategic initiatives that amplify our mission of fostering "opportunity for all" through innovation-driven economic development. Reporting to the Head of Operations and serving as a leader within the organization, the Manager of Marketing and Communications is accountable for developing and executing strategies, crafting compelling narratives, and engaging diverse stakeholders while positioning TIL and the community we serve as a global leader amongst innovation ecosystems.

To be successful in this role, the candidate will demonstrate a high level of intellectual curiosity and creativity, be a results-oriented problem solver who thrives in a fast paced, high-growth organization, and brings a collaborative, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to getting things done. You must also be able to actively listen, engage and connect with a diverse group of people, fostering meaningful relationships with our partners. Our team must be nimble and adaptable to the growing and ever-changing needs of our organization and stakeholder groups, creating solutions and improving processes to achieve TIL goals.

Responsibilities / Essential Job Function:

The following functions represent most of the duties performed by the position. The description is not meant to be all-inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary:

• Brand Strategy: Develop and implement TIL’s brand strategy to reflect and clearly articulate TILs mission and vision. Ensure our brand evolves alongside strategic priorities and positions TIL as a leader in innovation ecosystems while maintaining authenticity.
• Integrated Communications: Oversee execution of integrated communications strategy in support of TIL objectives including collaborating with the Head of Operations, Managing Director, and other internal teams on planning. Leverage data insights and analytics to refine communication strategies, ensuring they resonate with target audiences and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds and maintains a working knowledge of all TIL functional areas and initiatives. Serves as a highly effective link between teams and marketing for strategy, ideation, and execution. Work closely with community partners and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of messaging and priorities across all initiatives.
• Organizational Storytelling: Develop narratives that not only showcase TIL’s regional achievements but also position Tulsa as a globally competitive hub for innovation through the creation of compelling messages, storylines and content for a variety of channels and purposes, including online content, TIL collateral/assets, social media, presentations, etc.
• Quality Control: Collaborates across the organization to ensure communications and marketing efforts are cohesive, meet TIL’s high-standard of execution, and convey a consistent story to both internal and external stakeholders. Develop performance metrics to assess the overall effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
• High Impact Content Development: Develops superior content that drives brand awareness, increases public relations, enhances engagement, and helps demonstrate TIL impact through mediums such as web content, blog posts, annual reports, social media, presentations, press materials, speeches, prospect meetings, and internal communications as needed, etc.
• Programming and Special Events: Collaborate closely with TIL Programming and Events team to support strategic events communication including but not limited to: press events, TIL signature events, initiative launch, VIP guest visits, etc.
• Agency/Consultant Management: Effectively manages relationships and projects with outside agencies and consultants supporting marketing and communications projects such as brand positioning, graphic design, content development, public relations, and website development/maintenance.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in related field is preferred
• Minimum of five years' experience in marketing, communications, content development, and other relevant experience
• Familiarity with AP Style, Slack, Salesforce, Canva, Asana, SplashThat, Microsoft Office Suite, and social media platforms preferred
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating with and between organizations to drive innovation
• Strong analytical and project management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate with team members in a highly innovative environment

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

To be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication, organizational and project management skills. You must also be able to actively listen, engage and connect with a diverse group of people, fostering meaningful relationships with our partners. Our team must be nimble and adaptable to the growing and changing needs of our organization and stakeholder groups, creating solutions and improving processes to achieve TIL goals.

• Integrity – honesty and directness in all things, especially regarding the true status of initiatives and when in need of help from teammates and stakeholders.
• Intentionality – the desire to act now, and not later, on tasks and initiatives. Exhibit a hunger for success and results.
• Interest – an attitude of constant learning, curiosity, and humility with respect to what has yet to be understood.
• Interconnectedness – respect and appreciation for teammates and stakeholders: their backgrounds, skills, history, challenges, fears, and expectations that influence how approach shared tasks and relationships.
• Cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, integrating these values into all practices and interactions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences and formats, engaging all with positive intent and respect in alignment with TIL values and goals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated success organizing resources and facilitating timely execution of multiple workstreams and action plans to achieve expected results.
• Understands the intended outcomes and parameters, takes initiative, and employs creativity and resourcefulness to achieve goals.
• High energy influencer and collaborator, with ability to proactively engage and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.
• Stable and level-headed demeanor in managing changing situations, solutions-oriented approach to overcoming barriers and managing unexpected challenges.
• Ability to accurately gather and analyze data, utilizing appropriate metrics to measure success and performance of the initiatives, campaigns, and programming.
• Conducts all activities with integrity in alignment with the principles of the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Physical Requirements:

• Communicate: Frequent phone, in-person, and messaging communication via various platforms. Must be able to exchange information effectively and accurately in all elements of verbal and written communication.
• Operate: Constant operation of computers, phones, and other office productivity tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel between program and related stakeholder locations, and service provider/vendor offices as required.

Hours & Location:

• Position is in Tulsa within TIL headquarters at 3 North Cheyenne Ave.
• Typical work hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 to 5:00, with flexibility required for various events, meetings, and relevant business needs.

About our Benefits

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and generous retirement contributions designed to support your and your family.

Details:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only. Option to add vision and dependents.
• 401K employee and employer contributions
• Paid time off to support your while you are out of the office
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about
• Employer paid AD&D life insurance, with employee option to add supplemental life insurance