Marketing Communications and Design Lead

As part of Hallstar’s ongoing growth and global expansion, branding and marketing communications represent an important and highly visible area of focus for both companies.

As Marketing Communications is increasingly recognized at Hallstar for its strategic importance, the small but mighty MarComm team is seeking a key player for the new Associate role. The successful candidate will have a mix of creative design and marketing administration skills, and will be a self-motivated, exceptionally organized individual who can manage multiple projects at once, prioritizing where necessary and providing updates when relevant. They will have the desire to come forward with new ideas for processes and projects, and to contribute to Hallstar’s overall success. The ideal candidate will have well-rounded design experience with a sincere desire and aptitude to learn more about all aspects of Marketing Communications. This role reports to the Director – Branding and Marketing Communications.

Responsibilities

Hallstar Marketing Communications executes a full calendar of digital marketing, media placements, collateral development and trade shows, as well as overseeing the global brand identity for both Hallstar companies. The Marketing Communications Associate will be responsible for most of the company’s desktop publishing tasks as well as assisting with MarComm program management, i.e., keeping departmental projects on track and ensuring smooth collaboration among team members. In addition, with input from the MarComm Director, the Associate will have various responsibilities:

• Visual communications– including but not limited to designing brochures, advertisements, social media posts, and trade show walls using the Adobe suite, as well as sales presentations (PowerPoint), in line with Hallstar brand identity guidelines
• Content alignment and maintenance of Hallstar’s three websites and its social media accounts; proactively creating text and images for regular social posts
• Team calendar wizard – communicating clearly about initiative deadlines, anticipating necessary tasks and keeping the MarComm team aligned and informed
• Lead generation tracking – supporting email marketing campaigns and search engine optimization programs
• Ensuring accuracy of published Hallstar content: careful proofing of new collateral, articles, ads, press releases, etc., ensuring external subscription databases that list Hallstar products have updated information

Experience and Skills

• 3-4 years of relevant work in a business environment or comparable experience (a portfolio of past design output will be requested as part of the recruitment process)
• Advanced knowledge of the Adobe suite (InDesign, Illustrator, etc.) and MS PowerPoint
• Minimum of 2 years of marketing experience that includes direct responsibility for a professional organization’s social media strategy development and execution

• Excellent language (written and oral) skills and a love for clear, impactful communications
• Some video, photography and/or animation experience a plus

Additionally, the candidate must possess the following characteristics:

• The ability to build and develop positive and effective working relationships globally

• Ability to work effectively in conjunction with outside vendors, and represent Hallstar with excellence and professionalism

• A recognition of good design and brand consistency for both visual and written communications
• A proactive attitude, able to effectively work both collaboratively and independently
• Entrepreneurial spirit; sense of urgency; willingness to share knowledge and skills in pursuit of organizational excellence

• Curious and passionate about supporting a world-class brand
• Strong project management skills, with good attention to detail and an exemplary commitment to meeting deadlines

NOTE: This position is located at Hallstar’s Corporate Headquarters in downtown Chicago.