MARKETING OPERATIONS - MARKETING SPECIALIST

Columbia Association • Full-time • Columbia, Maryland, United States • $65,000 - $75,000 / year • 1w ago

Columbia Association, headquartered in Howard County, Maryland, is known for engaging our diverse community, cultivating a unique sense of place, and enhancing the quality of life in Columbia, Maryland, all thanks to the efforts of our remarkable team members. If you share in our passion for teamwork and our vision, we want you to fast-forward your career with us at Columbia Association.

Marketing Specialist

Job Summary

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, the Marketing Specialist helps plan and execute integrated campaigns to boost engagement and membership for Columbia Association’s programs and facilities. This role combines foundational knowledge—market analysis, audience targeting, and campaign planning—with hands-on coordination of digital and traditional marketing efforts.

While leadership sets strategy, the specialist develops campaigns and ensures timely, effective execution, contributing to lead generation, participation growth, and ROI through data-driven methods.

The ideal candidate is an analytical and organized marketer with strong communication skills, capable of delivering measurable results and upholding brand consistency.

Essential Duties

Contribute to marketing campaign planning and connect tactics to departmental goals
Independently manage assigned campaigns with creativity, transparency, and accountability
Coordinate and execute marketing plans across various channels (CPC, paid social, SEO, email, in-facility promotion, etc.), ensuring all efforts are tracked, optimized, and support CA’s membership objectives.
Oversee assigned projects from start to finish, providing timely updates on progress and results.
Track and report key metrics such as lead volume, CPA, conversion rate, and engagement to guide optimizations.
Collaborate with program managers and facility teams to maintain accurate promotional details and communicate updates clearly.
Manage analytics, compile performance reports, and recommend improvements.
Implement and monitor automation and CRM strategies, ensuring data integration with campaign reporting.
Work with design staff to develop or update promotional materials.
Write and edit marketing content for emails, website, ads, and social media, maintaining CA’s brand standards.

Additional Responsibilities

Maintain production schedules for campaigns and promotions.
Assist with event marketing and onsite support.
Manage advertising and promotional vendor relationships.
Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and branding.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Experience:

2–4 years of professional marketing experience, preferably within multi-channel or community-based organizations, with proven campaign outcomes.
Understanding of marketing principles such as positioning, audience segmentation, and campaign analysis.
Practical experience with digital marketing platforms including Google Ads, social media management tools, and email automation systems.
Experience managing and optimizing content for search visibility using SEO platforms like Google
Search Console, SEMrush, Moz, or Ahrefs, with knowledge in keyword strategy, on-page optimization, and performance monitoring.
Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress), CRM software, and analytics solutions like Google Analytics.
Basic graphic design proficiency with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.

Additional Desired Skills:

Effective written and verbal communication abilities with timely and professionalcorrespondence.
Strong organizational skills to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to analyze and interpret campaign data and report findings.
Capacity to propose improvements and implement solutions.
Collaborative work style with cross-functional team support experience.

Education

This position prioritizes practical skills and experience over formal educational credentials. Candidates should demonstrate competence in:

Strategic and tactical marketing execution across both digital and traditional channels
Utilizing analytics tools (such as Google Analytics, SEMrush, or similar) to assess and improve campaign outcomes
Developing copy and content for a variety of audiences and platforms
Collaborating with cross-functional teams to coordinate multiple marketing initiatives

A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related discipline may be beneficial for this role but is not required if candidates can provide evidence of equivalent professional experience and skill proficiency.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to perform work in an office environment with occasional local travel to events or facilities.
Position may involve standing, lifting up to 25 lbs., and occasional evening or weekend work for events.

The salary range for this position is $65K to $75K. The actual salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and the budgeted amount for the role. CA offers a positive, fun work environment and a generous benefits package. Full-time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), a free Fit & Play membership, Wellness benefits w/perks and paid leave.

Columbia Association is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. EOE/ADA. We encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our organization. Over and above non-discrimination, CA’s mission includes engaging our diverse community and meeting the evolving needs of a dynamic and inclusive community. That’swhy we welcome folks of diverse or marginalized backgrounds and abilities to apply to become part of the CA team.