The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) is looking for a marketing and communications professional to implement its new Sandy Hook Community Branding Campaign. The organization’s new “brand steward” will utilize the new community brand to create marketing pieces for Sandy Hook Village businesses and incorporate the brand identity with the village and SHOP events.

SHOP is a volunteer organization created to help revitalize Sandy Hook Village, to help current merchants succeed, and to attract new businesses to the area. SHOP collaborates with the Town of Newtown to support local businesses, encourage investment, and draw residents and visitors to the village to live, work and play, according to a posting about the position.

The brand steward will be expected to utilize the new Sandy Hook Community Brand Identity Guidelines and tools to create powerful and effective marketing pieces for Sandy Hook Village businesses. The organization ideally seeks an excellent communicator, adept at interacting directly with small business owners, to incorporate the brand identity with the unique offerings in the village, and with SHOP to effectively promote events and activities.

Key responsibilities of the position include:

*Provide technical marketing support to Sandy Hook businesses to implement the new community brand materials;

*Educate business owners and SHOP leaders about effective ways to adopt the branding tactics into their existing marketing efforts;

*Manage website content and update, routinely assess and improve effectiveness;

*Manage e-marketing program development and management (Mail Chimp);

*Significantly expand the use of social media, via the community brand materials;

*Enable effective communications with diverse constituencies; build relationships and collaborate/coordinate with SHOP members Town of Newtown officials, partners, service providers, etc.

*Write and distribute press releases; and

*Provide administrative support for SHOP leadership (meeting minutes, email communication with SHOP members)

Qualifications for the position include:

*Minimum five-plus years marketing and communications experience;

*Superior communication and organization skills;

*Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines;

*Self-motivated and self-directed with strong interpersonal skills and a team player;

*Excellent computer skills, including graphic design software (Adobe Photoshop, vector graphics/images, etc.), MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.), and web editing;

*Experience and proficiency with social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Mail Chimp, etc) as a communications tool in a professional business environment;

*Strong project management skills including organized and process-focused, attentive to detail and timelines; cost sensitive and accountable;

*Strong ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and organizations;

*An appreciation for downtowns and willing to learn, and promote the Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization.

SHOP has established competitive compensation that is appropriate for this position and commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The brand steward is an independent contractor, responsible for all federal, state, and local income taxes related to his/her fees for service.

Applicants are asked to send cover letter (with compensation requirements), resume, three references and samples of their work to MainStreetCareers@gmail.com. For more information about this position, candidates can visit http://ctmainstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SH-Brand-Steward-posting.pdf.

No phone inquiries will be accepted, and the closing date for applications is January 31. SHOP is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.