Marketing & Audience Engagement Manager

ABOUT METRO MARKET MEDIA Metro Market Media is a leader in local media and marketing solutions, dedicated to helping our communities stay informed and connected. Our portfolio includes The Times of Gainesville, Forsyth County News, Dawson County News, specialty publications, and our popular “Best of” awards and events. We are proud of the role we play in our communities, and we are equally proud of the team culture we have built around a shared set of values. POSITION SUMMARY The Marketing & Audience Engagement Manager owns the marketing and audience engagement function for Metro Market Media's newspaper brands, setting direction across digital, print, and in-person platforms. This role independently develops and executes marketing strategy, determines campaign priorities, and makes discretionary decisions about brand voice, audience targeting, resource allocation, and community-engagement initiatives that drive readership, subscriber growth, and revenue outcomes. Working cross-functionally with editorial, sales, and creative teams, the Manager serves as the primary marketing voice for Metro Market Media publications and represents the organization externally at community events, industry engagements, and public-facing initiatives. This position reports to the Director of Revenue and travels regularly between Gainesville, Forsyth County, and other Metro Market Media locations as needed. OUR CULTURE & CORE VALUES At Metro Market Media, we hire, develop, and recognize team members against a clearly defined set of core values. These values are not aspirational language — they are the standard by which we evaluate fit, performance, and growth. The successful candidate for this role will demonstrate: Be Honest — Act with integrity and show authenticity — even when it’s hard. Stay Curious — Seek fresh thinking, ask smart questions, and pursue learning. All In, Every Time — Focus on details, take ownership, and go above and beyond. We Before Me — Work collaboratively, offer help, and lead with kindness. Win Together, Grow Together — Deliver results, put customers first, and fuel growth. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Success in this role is measured by the Manager's ability to independently drive measurable audience growth, stronger community engagement, and disciplined execution of brand-building strategy across all Metro Market Media properties. Specifically: Sustained growth in subscribers, followers, and digital audience engagement across all publications, driven by strategy the Manager owns. Consistently high-performing marketing and social campaigns that measurably advance readership, revenue, and brand awareness. A strong, on-brand, community-first presence across all digital and in-person touchpoints. Confident, autonomous representation of Metro Market Media in the community, including at events, partnerships, and public engagements. Clear, actionable data-informed reporting that enables leadership to make better strategic decisions. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Marketing & Audience Engagement Manager exercises discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance to the business, including strategic direction, campaign priorities, brand voice, and resource allocation. Responsibilities span three core areas: marketing strategy and analytics, audience growth and social media, and community engagement and brand presence. Marketing Strategy & Analytics Own the marketing strategy for Metro Market Media publications, including development of annual and quarterly marketing plans, go-to-market approaches, and audience-growth roadmaps. Determine campaign priorities, target audiences, brand voice, channel mix, and resource allocation to advance readership, subscriber growth, and revenue outcomes. Analyze audience data, engagement metrics, and campaign performance to identify growth opportunities and independently adjust strategy based on findings. Develop and recommend audience-growth strategies, subscriber-acquisition initiatives, and digital engagement tactics across newsletters, websites, mobile apps, and social platforms. Deliver clear, data-informed reporting to leadership that translates marketing performance into strategic business recommendations. Stay current on marketing trends, audience-growth tools, and industry best practices, and apply that knowledge to continuously improve strategy and campaign effectiveness. Audience Growth & Social Media Direct the development, creation, and scheduling of branded social media content including posts, short-form video, and integrated marketing campaigns that promotes the value of local journalism, drives audience growth, and increases brand awareness. Set standards for how Metro Market Media publications engage with audiences on social channels, including tone, response timing, and community-management approach. Maintain a positive, professional, and responsive public presence for each publication, and ensure excellent customer service across all audience touchpoints. Provide strategic guidance, coaching, and best-practice direction to newsroom staff on social media, content optimization, and audience engagement functioning as the organization's internal marketing subject-matter expert. Community Engagement & Brand Presence Plan, coordinate, and represent Metro Market Media at branded and community events such as expos, festivals, and award programs, including "Best of" events, to strengthen audience relationships and expand reach. Serve as the primary marketing voice for Metro Market Media in the community, at industry engagements, and with partner organizations. Collaborate with editorial, sales, and creative teams to align brand initiatives, cross-promotional campaigns, and community-engagement priorities. Perform other duties as required to meet the ongoing strategic needs of the organization.