Brand Manager

POSITION SUMMARY 

(Eligible for Hybrid/ 3 days in office - Alexandria, VA)

United Way Worldwide is seeking a Brand Manager to join a growing Marketing & Communications department.  The Brand Manager will oversee the integrity and consistency of our brand across all marketing and communications channels and users, including our network of 1100 local United Ways. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring alignment with United Way's established brand guidelines and strategic objectives. You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to maintain brand excellence, ensuring our messaging resonates globally while honoring the diverse needs of local communities.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with strong project management skills, a deep understanding of brand management and experience working with a large affiliate footprint.   Overall, this role is responsible for ensuring a cohesive narrative across touchpoints.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF POSITION

• Brand Standards (& Guidelines) Oversight and Management: Ensure all marketing assets adhere to United Way's brand, maintaining consistency and clarity across all platforms.  Develop plan for establishing brand management and monitoring.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders (agencies, vendors, partners) to ensure alignment on brand messaging and compliance with visual and content standards.
• Brand Audits & Monitoring: Conduct regular audits of both internal and external content to identify and correct any discrepancies or deviations from the brand guidelines. Track and report on brand compliance efforts across multiple regions and channels.
• Training & Education: Develop iterative curricula and lead brand compliance training sessions for internal teams, affiliates, and partners to increase understanding and adherence to United Way's brand standards.
• Brand Strategy Support: Partner with the Brand Strategy team to implement new initiatives, campaigns, and materials while ensuring that new assets align with overall brand direction and messaging.  
• Steward Resources: Oversee the storage, usage and promotion of branded assets housed in our Digital Asset Management system.
• Legal and Trademark Protection: Work closely with the legal department to ensure that all branded assets are properly protected, and any potential trademark or intellectual property issues are addressed promptly.
• Brand Performance Metrics: Establish and manage brand management metrics, contributing to reporting up, down and sideways throughout the organization.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelors degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in brand management, marketing, or communications.
  • Experience working with complex organizational structures is critical.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong understanding of brand strategy, guidelines, and governance.
  • Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Strong attention to detail and an eye for consistency across various media and platforms.
  • Ability to communicate complex brand concepts in clear, actionable terms to diverse audiences.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with digital marketing tools (email platforms, etc.).
  • Experience with Digital Asset Management platform like Brandfolder is a plus
  • Knowledge of copyright, trademark law, and intellectual property protections is a plus.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Positive, persuasive influencer in complex environments.
  • Engaging, open and collaborative team player with a knack for creating and maintaining strong relationships.
  • Self-motivated and proactive in identifying issues and solutions.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable disabled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job. You should be able to work on-site in the Alexandria, VA location; relocation assistance is not offered. 

SALARY STATEMENT

The budgeted lifespan salary range for this position is currently $85,000 to $100,000 per year.  Salary is determined by several factors including applicant’s knowledge, ­­­skills, experience, position, equity, and market.

COMPETENCIES

An individual must be able to demonstrate the following competencies at a satisfactory level:

Accountability/Results Orientation - Is accountable for the work results and performance to budget of an assigned team. Participates in the articulation of and communicates work goals and objectives, as well as expected work results. Assists in identifying work quality standards and training team members and accepts responsibility for the team's achieved outcomes. Protects the United Way brand, promoting its relevance and statue to the extent possible. Behaves ethically and honestly in all activities done on behalf of UWW and the movement. Demonstrates a commitment to UWW’s values, including diversity and inclusiveness.

Decision-Making/Risk-Taking - Evaluates available information and recommends a course of action. Contributes own assessment of risks and implications of decisions in team decision-making efforts. Develops and proposes effective alternative solutions. Uses judgment appropriately in decision-making. Knows when to shift decision-making upwards.

Teamwork Collaboration - Shares pertinent information and keeps team members informed on a regular basis. Ensures that processes, systems and resources are available and direct them properly to enable the team to efficiently accomplish its goals and objectives. Able to adapt quickly to changing conditions or performance expectations. Able to focus on assignments during periods of change and/or uncertainty.

Relationship Management - Embodies and promotes UWW's values and guiding principles. Promotes a "win-win" philosophy in dealing with others. Serves as a role model in dealing with others to accomplish organization goals and objectives. Works effectively with United Way staff, volunteers and other stakeholders to achieve strategic direction. Able to manage and sustain key relationships to benefit the United Way movement and/or UWW. Formulates and communicates in an ethical and politically sensitive manner.

Communications - Expresses ideas and concepts in a clear and concise manner. Is persuasive and influences others. Actively listens to others to understand their perspectives. Seeks input and feedback on individual, team and departmental performance and environment. Supports openness.

Innovation/Creativity - Shares a deep commitment to the UW vision. Develops a "connected" vision for the Group. Has a plan to meet Group vision and contribute to overall success. Promotes a climate that values and rewards innovation and creativity. Acknowledges and champions the efforts of others to "think outside the box.” Maintains knowledge of current and emerging trends that affect United Ways, UWW and/or the non-profit sector. Demonstrates ability to analyze information and translate into specific, effective action/solutions.

ABOUT UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE

United Way Worldwide seeks diverse, qualified professionals who want to make a difference in the world. If you are passionate about your work and desire to help others achieve enhanced education, income, and health, United Way Worldwide is the place for you.

United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please e-mail recruitment@uww.unitedway.org and provide the nature of your request and your contact information.

We are a charter member of Employers of National Service and encourage AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni to apply.

United Way Worldwide is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including: health, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, employee assistance program, 403(b) plan, tuition assistance, paid time off, family sick leave, medical appointment leave, parental/adoption leave, dress for your day, free parking, onsite gym, monthly volunteering opportunities, and more.

UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE

We take the broadest possible view of diversity. 

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.

We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.

We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.

We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.

LIVE UNITED.