Director of Marketing + Audience Development

About the Role

City Cast is seeking a strategic marketing leader to guide our national network of locally-focused daily podcasts, newsletters, and social channels through a pivotal growth phase. As Director of Marketing + Audience Development, you'll set the strategy and plan for full funnel marketing across our network of 13 cities, while deftly advising and guiding each city’s Audience Development Manager on how to achieve impact locally. Our ideal candidate has experience across a broad range of marketing tactics, from paid digital and influencer marketing to partnerships and community engagement and is a superb communicator and eager collaborator able to work with stakeholders across a range of expertise. The Director of Marketing will lead and oversee a high functioning team whose work spans both national and local marketing tactics.

Deadline to apply: March 23, 2026

What You'll Do

Local Marketing Strategy 

• Design and implement an onboarding program and ongoing coaching cadence for city-level Audience Development Managers that sets them up for success 
• Create a library of actionable tools, templates, and training materials supporting core tactics such as localized PR, partnerships, sponsorships, event activations, local advertising, grassroots marketing, etc
• Own the national marketing strategy across the network and translate it into frameworks cities can apply locally to create effective local marketing plans, goals, and budgets
• Serve as strategic advisor and trusted coach to city teams, helping them navigate challenges and maximize opportunities
• Foster a culture of experimentation, shared learning, and continuous improvement across the network, while creating mechanisms for cross-pollination of ideas—identifying what's working, making it replicable, and spreading it across markets

Brand Development 

• Own national marketing programs, identifying key network-wide campaign moments and developing beneficial partnerships that could expand our reach and add value to our brand
• Work in partnership with Chief Creative Officer on strategic planning, creative initiatives, brand development and aligning marketing results to overall network goals
• Develop strategic and innovative brand initiatives to grow and retain members, alongside our membership team

Planning and Execution

• Build out a thoughtful annual marketing plan that leverages what we’ve learned to date, building out key “tentpole” moments across the year and driving local and national efforts around them
• Oversee paid digital marketing efforts determining the right combination of full-time and outside resources needed to effectively reach our goals
• Oversee annual marketing budget, tracking spend and reallocating funds strategically as needed 
• Establish a system for reporting on marketing performance and surfacing insights to city teams and leadership

Team Leadership 

• Lead a small marketing team with vision, ensuring each team member is focused effectively and developing professionally 
• Clarify roles and goals of HQ team and localized marketing contributors to ensure operational efficiency and brand cohesion
• Deepen the entire organization’s understanding and integration of marketing across all teams, in order to tap into the bubbling creativity of the full staff
• Keep up with trends in podcast and newsletter marketing, surfacing and integrating new ideas, industry best practices, and technological disruptions on a regular basis 
• Maintain a culture of collaboration, direct communication, and honest feedback, in line with City Cast’s values

Requirements

Required Experience

• 7+ years in marketing or audience development, with demonstrated progression in responsibility
• 3+ years managing, coaching, or leading teams (direct or indirect)
• 3+ years hands-on experience with social media marketing and multi-channel campaigns
• Proven track record developing and executing local or regional marketing strategies that blend digital and in-person tactics
• Experience in media, journalism, or publishing organizations is a plus

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic communicator: You translate complex strategies into clear, actionable plans that non-marketers can execute with confidence
• Systems builder: You create frameworks, processes, and tools that enable others to do their best work
• Visual storyteller: Your presentations, toolkits, and resources are as compelling as they are useful
• Influencer and collaborator: You excel at managing multiple stakeholders, building consensus, and leading with or without direct authority
• Evangelist for growth: You genuinely love marketing and inspire others to think creatively about audience development
• Continuous learner: You stay current on marketing trends and aren't afraid to test, iterate, and evolve your approach
• Believer in local: You understand the power of community-focused journalism and are energized by making cities better places to live.

Benefits

Benefits

This position is full-time, with excellent benefits. The salary is $130,000 - 150,000 yearly,  based on experience. You must be local, though work will be primarily remote. City Cast is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity, which involves attracting talented people from diverse backgrounds and traditions. We encourage everyone to apply.

City Cast is an affiliate of Graham Holdings. Read the Graham Holdings Company California Worker Privacy Statement here.