Director of Marketing and PR!

Sittercity is the first and largest online source for parents seeking babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, house sitters, elder care providers and other in-home care professionals. Now recognized as one of TIME’s 50 Coolest Websites, having been featured in national media from ABC to the Wall Street Journal, and growing to serve the entire nation including major corporations, Sittercity is growing up fast. It’s one of the hottest tech companies in Chicago to work for, and if you are a fast-paced, fun-loving, and startup-experienced marketing director, we need your help.

Position Profile:
Sittercity is looking for an experienced, creative, organized, and flexible team player as our new Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The successful candidate will manage advertising, public relations, event planning, grassroots marketing strategies, online promotions and the creation of all internal creative marketing materials and collateral. Ultimately, the position will be in parallel to the Director of Online Marketing who will take over new media advertising. Experience maintaining multiple budgets and multiple deadlines is necessary. This position also works with all departments, must have excellent communication skills, creative business strategies and the ability to manage time effectively.

Key Duties/Responsibilities/Opportunities:
· The Director of Marketing is a core company executive, participating in strategy and planning.
· Help develop a cherished, recognized and growing online brand.
· Develop and execute high impact marketing plan to include advertising, public relations, events and promotions. Market research in national childcare arena and all target markets.
· Manage marketing and advertising efforts in 20+ markets across the country with a national marketing undercurrent.
· Manage Sittercity’s PR firm and supervise all PR strategies.
· Launch exciting new products including pet sitting and elder care channels.
· Create buzz-oriented marketing campaigns to spread the Sittercity story.
· Travel to key markets to execute the coordination of focus groups, events and sitter recruitment and overall market knowledge
· Effectively distribute media buys, creative, research and integrated marketing as needed in target markets
· Spearhead all Sittercity’s events programs, and coordinate them with PR.
· Actively develop national and regional marketing partnerships.
· Oversee the development of Sittercity’s advertising sales initiatives.
· Examine all new initiatives and suggest innovative ways for the company to grow and expand
· Exhibit qualities of director level inspiration and dedication to the company to motivate others that work with you.
REQUIREMENTS
Positive, team-oriented personality.
· Ability to work to tight deadlines, tight budgets, and challenging circumstances when necessary.
· Excellent presentation as an outward-facing company representative.
· Strong organizational skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities on concurrent timelines and meet tight deadlines.
· A creative streak and a love for brainstorming.
· A passion for cost-effective strategy.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with ability to write, edit and proofread copy.
· Excellent analytical skills relating to campaign results analysis and reporting.
· The ability to develop all aspects of marketing strategy including advertising, public relations, promotions, creative direction and sponsorships.
· Experience in a company with a strong online presence.
· Ability to travel, some weekends required.

Good to Have:
· Experience in a startup organization.
· Online marketing experience including SEO/SMO.
· Good business development skills for key partnerships.
· Strong computer skills.
· Entrepreneurial spirit.
· Childcare related background.
· PR or Advertising Agency experience.
· Interviewing and media management experience.
· Knowledge of finance and accounting a plus.
· Strong event planning skills including a talent in finding solutions in difficult situations.

Experience/Education:
• 3-5+ years relevant marketing experience
• MBA preferred, 4-year degree in marketing-related discipline is required.

Compensation and Benefits:
Competitive salary, linked to experience as well as personal and company performance:
· Health Benefits
· Transportation reimbursement
· Two weeks vacation
· One week personal days
· Annual bonus
· Childcare benefits (of course!)
· Monthly incentives
· Your own office, a view of the city, and all the lollipops you can eat
· Equity potential depending on experience/performance

To Apply, Please Submit:
1) Resume, including salary requirements
2) A superbly creative introduction.
Anything goes: puzzles, poetry, photos, or anything else that will give us a sense of you is great! Generic cover letters are frowned on we're looking for introductory materials that make us smile (or gasp in admiration) and get us excited about meeting you.