Director of Marketing & Brand

Job Description

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Director of Marketing & Brand

Location: Arlington, VA (Hybrid)

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing uncrewed systems and robotics, represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries across industry, government, and academia. AUVSI members work across the defense, civil, and commercial sectors.

We are proud to be the leading trade association serving the growing autonomous vehicle industry, including drones, automated and remotely operated ground and maritime vehicles, and their related components and systems.

Why Join AUVSI

Drones, robots, automated vehicles, and more: Be part of the technology revolution in one of today's most dynamic industries!

As the Director of Marketing & Brand, you'll play a pivotal leadership role in shaping how AUVSI connects with its audiences, strengthens its brand, and drives growth across membership, programs, events, and industry initiatives.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished marketing leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, understands what motivates customers, and knows how to turn creative marketing strategies into measurable business results.

You'll lead an integrated marketing function, oversee brand strategy and multi-channel campaigns, and partner with senior leadership to align marketing investments with organizational priorities, revenue growth, and member engagement.

We're looking for someone who is innovative, commercially minded, collaborative, and energized by the opportunity to build and elevate a marketing operation in an industry shaping the future of technology.

The Opportunity to Build, Lead, and Elevate Our Brand!

The future of autonomous technology is advancing rapidly, and AUVSI has an opportunity to connect the people, companies, and ideas driving that transformation.

As Director of Marketing & Brand, you'll be at the center of that effort, bringing together AUVSI's marketing initiatives under a cohesive brand strategy and creating campaigns that resonate with industry leaders, technology innovators, government stakeholders, and association members.

This isn't simply a traditional brand management role. You'll have the opportunity to establish a unified marketing approach, strengthen the customer experience, launch new initiatives, and develop demand-generation strategies that contribute directly to revenue and organizational growth.

Working closely with the VP of Marketing, Strategic Communications & Programs, you'll serve as a trusted strategic partner, lead an experienced marketing team, and collaborate across departments to turn organizational priorities into impactful campaigns and measurable outcomes.

From strengthening AUVSI's brand identity to building a robust marketing pipeline and launching innovative programs, you'll help shape how the association grows, engages its members, and communicates its value to the industry.

Your Day

• Lead the development and execution of AUVSI's comprehensive marketing strategy, aligning brand, campaigns, and initiatives with organizational goals and revenue objectives.
• Establish and maintain a cohesive brand architecture across AUVSI's programs, events, membership offerings, and industry initiatives.
• Develop and oversee brand standards, messaging guidelines, and creative direction to ensure consistency across all marketing platforms and materials.
• Build and manage an annual integrated marketing plan and campaign calendar that prioritizes business objectives and growth opportunities.
• Lead multi-channel marketing campaigns across digital, email, web, advertising, and other owned and paid media platforms.
• Partner with Strategic Communications to align marketing campaigns with earned media strategies and the organization's broader public narrative.
• Develop demand-generation and account-based marketing strategies that support membership growth, event participation, exhibits, sponsorships, and program revenue.
• Work closely with Business Development and Membership teams to strengthen lead generation, prospect engagement, conversion, and retention.
• Establish strategies for lead management, scoring, nurturing, and effective handoffs between Marketing and Business Development.
• Lead go-to-market strategies for new and existing AUVSI programs, products, and services, including market positioning, value propositions, launch planning, and sales enablement.
• Serve as a strategic marketing partner to internal program teams, helping prioritize initiatives and deliver integrated marketing support across the organization.
• Develop and refine marketing processes, workflows, and cross-functional collaboration to improve efficiency, accountability, and campaign execution.
• Use customer research, market intelligence, and behavioral insights to understand audience needs and strengthen marketing strategies.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive positioning, and emerging opportunities to inform new products, campaigns, and organizational initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the marketing team, including the Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications and the Creative Strategist.
• Establish clear team priorities, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities.
• Oversee marketing budgets, resource allocation, external agencies, and contract partners to ensure marketing investments deliver measurable value.
• Partner with the Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications to optimize marketing automation, CRM processes, campaign workflows, and reporting capabilities.
• Define and monitor key marketing performance indicators, including lead generation, pipeline growth, conversion rates, campaign effectiveness, revenue contribution, and member retention.
• Translate marketing data into actionable insights and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Represent marketing leadership in cross-functional planning, program discussions, and executive meetings.
• Lead special marketing initiatives and strategic projects as assigned.

Must Haves

• 10+ years of progressive experience in B2B marketing, including at least 5 years leading integrated marketing, brand strategy, or demand-generation functions.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing marketing professionals, cross-functional teams, and external agency partners.
• Proven success developing and executing integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns that contribute to measurable revenue growth and business outcomes.
• Strong experience in brand strategy, positioning, and managing brand consistency across multiple products, programs, or business lines.
• Demonstrated expertise in demand generation, lead management, and account-based marketing strategies.
• Experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies, including product positioning, launch planning, customer value propositions, and sales enablement.
• Ability to build scalable marketing processes, establish operational workflows, and improve collaboration across departments.
• Strong understanding of customer research, audience segmentation, buyer behavior, and data-driven marketing decision-making.
• Experience with CRM platforms, marketing automation tools, digital analytics, and performance measurement, including platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot.
• Demonstrated ability to manage marketing budgets, evaluate return on investment, and allocate resources based on business priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present strategic recommendations and performance results to executive leadership.
• Strong business acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to connect marketing strategies to revenue, customer engagement, and organizational growth.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders, build cross-functional relationships, and move initiatives forward in a collaborative environment.
• Creative, forward-thinking approach combined with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a results-oriented mindset.

Additional Experience That Will Set You Apart

• Marketing experience within emerging technology industries, including uncrewed systems, robotics, autonomy, aerospace, aviation, or defense.
• Experience supporting membership-based organizations, professional associations, subscription businesses, or SaaS environments.
• Familiarity with membership acquisition, engagement, renewal, and retention strategies.
• Experience marketing conferences, exhibits, sponsorships, professional development programs, or industry initiatives.
• Demonstrated success establishing or transforming an integrated marketing function within a growing organization.
• Experience developing brand architecture and marketing strategies across a diverse portfolio of products and services.
• Trade association or nonprofit experience is a plus but is not required.

Working Environment

• Hybrid work environment based in Arlington, Virginia.
• Collaborative leadership role working closely with executive leadership, Marketing, Strategic Communications, Business Development, Membership, and Advocacy.
• Dynamic, fast-paced environment supporting evolving organizational priorities, technology developments, and industry initiatives.
• Opportunities to participate in industry events, conferences, strategic planning sessions, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Collaborative office environment with complimentary snacks and beverages for staff.

What We Offer

AUVSI offers a competitive pay and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability and life insurance; a retirement plan with matching contributions; annual performance bonus opportunities; a flexible work schedule; and a casual dress workplace. xevrcyc

AUVSI has been recognized as a "Best Manufacturing Association to Work For" by the National Association of Manufacturers' Council of Manufacturing Associations.