Marketing Coordinator

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has a nearly 70-year legacy as an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)3 global marine research and science education institution. Mote began in 1955 and flourished on the foundational pillars of “Passion, Partnership and Philanthropy” -  the passion of a single researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, her partnership with the community and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family, later with the significant support and guidance of the William R. Mote family, and today through donations by thousands of individuals who believe in the mission of Mote.

• Today, Mote has grown into eight campuses stretching from Tampa Bay to Key West, with a ninth new campus, the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), currently under construction. Mote has more than 25 diverse world-class research programs studying oceans locally and internationally, with an emphasis on positively impacting conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The current Mote Aquarium in Sarasota showcases Mote Research and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 pm, 365 days a year. Learn more at mote.org.

Job Description:

• This is a full-time position within the Community Relations & Communications department of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
• The Marketing Coordinator supports the department’s activities for Mote divisions and programs and the institutional goals of: 1) promoting Mote as a world-class marine research institution, 2) generating attendance for Mote Aquarium and Mote Education programs and events; and 3) supporting Mote’s fundraising efforts.
• This position supports and enhances the institution’s reputation, integrity and partnerships, primarily through strategic digital marketing.
• This role is responsible for assisting in the development and execution of promotional materials to build and develop Mote’s brand identity through social media channels and email marketing.
• This position will translate and transfer Mote’s scientific discoveries to help inform and benefit the public, supporting and promoting Aquarium and Education events and fundraising campaigns through social media and marketing best practices, and supporting and enhancing the institution’s reputation, brand awareness, integrity and partnerships primarily through effective and strategic marketing strategies.
• This position is responsible for supporting the Marketing and Public Relations Manager’s efforts in organizing, prioritizing and executing social media and marketing opportunities for Mote Aquarium, and more than 24 research programs, 57 education programs, 7 centers of excellence, and more than 300 employees.
• As an international marine research and education hub, and a world-class science education attraction, Mote’s Marketing and Public Relations department has a lot of content to share.
• This position must effectively prioritize each request/content idea, putting the highest priority on items that are in Mote’s best interest and will move Mote forward.

Primary focuses of this position include:

• Social Media Coordination:
• This position will work with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to regularly and consistently execute social media best practices across all of Mote’s social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter and LinkedIn).
• The primary focus of this position is to enhance Mote’s role as a leader in its fields:
• marine science, regional tourism, and STEM education, and to support and enhance the institution’s brand primarily through effective and strategic social media, marketing, and outreach efforts.
• This position will be responsible for maintaining Mote’s mission in its social media and marketing content as Mote continues to grow as a leader in marine science and STEM education, and as a science-first attraction.
• Mote is first and foremost an independent, nonprofit marine research institution comprising world-class marine scientists committed to the belief that the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans begins with research and education.
• Founded in 1955 as a small research laboratory focused on shark research, Mote’s research enterprise now consists of over 25 diverse research programs and over 60 education programs. Mote Aquarium opened in 1980 as a public outreach arm to Mote’s research, and the new Mote Science Education Aquarium will serve that purpose, but on an even larger scale.
• This position will provide video-focused, visually appealing and engaging that aligns with Mote’s brand and mission.
• Email marketing: Responsible for working with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to plan, execute, and optimize email marketing campaigns, including Mote Insider and the volunteer newsletter, as well as serving as the communications lead on any other email campaigns from other departments.
• Promotional Plans: Works with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to develop and execute promotional plans for various Aquarium events or fundraising campaigns. This includes, but is not limited to social media, email marketing, and event listings, as well as other innovative ideas to promote events or campaigns.

Major duties and responsibilities:

Content creation

• Develop and maintain close internal relationships with all levels of staff in order to keep abreast of all aspects of the organization including new research studies, new and/or changing exhibits, education programs, events, volunteer programs etc., with the goal of contributing to Mote’s marketing strategy, including but not limited to social media.
• Write and create high quality, engaging content for various media including, but not limited to email communications (Mote Insider, digital fundraising campaigns, event invitations or announcement emails, etc.); and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, etc.).
• Maintain Mote’s brand across all channels, ensuring consistent representation of brand values and visual identity.
• Ensure cohesive brand representation across digital platforms, aligning website content with social media, email campaigns, and other digital marketing efforts.
• Maintain a current social media/marketing content calendar
• Lead regular meetings with the other departments, including Aquarium and Education, to develop content ideas aligning with current trends that align with Mote’s mission and voice

Social Media Coordination

• This position will contribute to content creation, community/social media engagement, and social media strategy
• Works with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to plan, develop, implement, and manage strategies for Mote’s social media accounts.
• Plans and develops social media content that aligns with Mote’s mission and goals
• Staying up-to-date on current news, trends, or pop culture events and creatively crafting those into social media opportunities that align with Mote’s mission and brand.
• Incorporate research-based content into Mote’s social media strategy
• Crafting and editing compelling content, especially video content
• Assists with paid social media ads that are not placed by Mote’s outside advertising agency.
• Engage with Mote’s online community by responding to comments, direct messages, and moderating online discussions as needed, while maintaining Mote’s voice in all communications.
• Research social media marketing tools to ensure Mote is utilizing the best tools for optimal performance
• Stay up-to-date with changes in social media algorithms and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Schedule and publish social media posts according to the content calendar
• Ensure that posts are published at optimal times to reach our target audience and maximize engagement
• Monitor post performance and adjust scheduling as needed

Email marketing

• Develop and execute story ideas for Mote’s bi-weekly e-newsletter, Mote Insider, obtain all visuals needed for each story, and ensure Mote Insider deadlines are met
• Work closely with the Volunteer office to develop and execute the monthly Volunteer e-newsletter, including story highlights and visuals, and ensure deadlines are met
• Provide communications support for other departments that send out email communications

Promotional plans

• Works with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to create and execute promotional plans for Aquarium events and promotions, Development initiatives, and others
• Effectively and regularly communicates with all departments involved in an event or initiative to ensure promotional plan success

Analyzing metrics

• Works with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to set key performance indicators (KPIs) for social media campaigns, such as targets for a certain number of shares or likes and measuring a campaign’s performance against the KPIs
• Works with the Marketing & Public Relations Manager to monitor and interpret analytics to find data-driven improvement strategies for the performance of the department’s communications, including but not limited to social media management analytics and email Campaign analytics in Mote’s current email marketing platform, Campaign Monitor.
• With a high focus on a team work mentality and an emphasis on fostering talent growth, this position also has periodic opportunities to be cross-trained in other communications areas such as media relations.
• Other duties as needed to support the other CRC staff.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position. Regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., with the understanding that flexibility is required to provide events after hours and on weekends.

Minimum qualifications:

• 0-2 years experience in social media, content marketing, and social media communications and
• Using mass email distribution systems and associated analytic tools
• Writing/editing experience for promotional purposes
• Social media content creation and management in a professional environment
• Video content capture and editing
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications or related field
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and tasks simultaneously
• Creative and detail-oriented
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to simplify complex topics for a general audience
• Experience with marketing software and analytics tools
• Ability to work with staff, volunteers, and interns at all levels
• Can successfully work independently, but can also excel as a team player
• Administrative skills such as proficiency with Microsoft Office, with the ability to adapt to the department’s preferred project management and productivity software
• Scuba certified, preferred