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Marketing and Community Manager (Full-Time)

About The Trek

The Trek is a media company dedicated to long-distance backpackers and thru-hikers. We aim to educate, entertain, and inspire others to pursue their trail dreams. thetrek.co reaches hundreds of thousands of trail lovers per month, providing advice, trail profiles, gear reviews, and updates from the trail. We’re also home to the #1 hiking podcast, Backpacker Radio, and have a social media following of over half a million.

At The Trek, we celebrate the Hiker Trash lifestyle; embracing dirt tan lines, king size Snickers, and taking questionable hitches. Whether you’re planning your first thru-hike or you’re a seasoned trail veteran, we strive to be your go-to resource for all things long-distance backpacking.

About This Role

The Marketing and Community Manager will support Bloggers, create engaging social media content, and foster community relationships within the long-distance backpacking community. This role includes managing The Trek’s social media channels, email marketing, video content production, and ambassador program, all while collaborating with the editorial team to align marketing efforts with content strategy. The ideal candidate will have a passion for backpacking, experience in marketing and social media, and the ability to work creatively and autonomously.

Job Responsibilities

  • Blogger Support: Serve as the primary point of contact for Bloggers, addressing their needs, providing guidance, and supporting them as they journey along the trail.
  • Content Promotion: Identify and highlight standout Bloggers on The Trek’s social media platforms, increasing their visibility and engagement within the community.
  • Video Content Creation: Develop and produce original video content for social media, enhancing The Trek’s digital presence and engaging our audience through engaging visual storytelling.
  • Social Media Management: Oversee and manage all aspects of The Trek’s social media channels, including content planning, posting, community interaction, and analytics to drive engagement and growth.
  • Ambassador Program Management: Coordinate and manage The Trek Ambassador program, fostering relationships with key influencers and ambassadors to amplify The Trek’s brand and reach.
  • Email Marketing: Strategize, create, and manage email marketing campaigns using platforms such as Mailchimp, with the goal of growing and engaging The Trek’s email subscriber base.
  • YouTube Channel Management: Oversee The Trek’s YouTube channel, including content strategy, video production, and audience engagement, to enhance the channel’s growth and impact.
  • Partnerships and Giveaways: Manage giveaways and large branded partnerships, ensuring successful execution and maximizing brand exposure and engagement.
  • Community Engagement: Foster a sense of community and enthusiasm within the thru-hiking and long-distance backpacking community, promoting a positive and inclusive environment.
  • Community Advocacy: Act as an ear and advocate for the backpacking community, developing campaigns, promotions, and communication strategies that benefit their interests and enhance their overall experience.
  • Marketing Strategy Development: Develop and implement marketing strategies to grow and expand The Trek’s traffic and brand influence and instigate awesomeness within the backpacking community.
  • Performance Tracking: Monitor and analyze contributor satisfaction, social media strategy and growth, and website traffic, using insights to refine and optimize marketing efforts.
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with The Trek’s editorial team to ensure cohesive and aligned marketing efforts.

Reporting structure: This role will report directly to The Trek’s founder and Editor-in-Chief, Zach Davis.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Experience: Minimum 2+ years background in marketing and social media, with a proven track record of developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns.
  • Social Media Expertise: Proficient in using Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube in a professional setting, with the ability to create engaging content and grow social media followings.
  • Email Marketing: Experience with email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp, including campaign creation, list management, and performance analysis.
  • Creativity and Initiative: Highly creative with the ability to work as a self-starter, developing innovative marketing strategies and content independently.
  • Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying ideas clearly and effectively to various audiences.
  • Passion for Backpacking: A deep love of backpacking, ideally with significant long-distance backpacking or thru-hiking experience to connect with The Trek’s community.
  • Bonus Attributes: Additional skills and experience in search engine optimization (SEO), video editing, graphic design, e-commerce experience, or other relevant technical areas are a plus.

Collaboration

  • Blogger Program: Oversee and manage the Blogger program, fostering relationships with bloggers, providing support, and highlighting standout content.
  • Editorial Team: Work closely with our editorial team to align marketing efforts with content strategy, ensuring cohesive and engaging storytelling across all platforms.
  • Ambassador Program: Coordinate with The Trek Ambassadors, leveraging their influence and reach to amplify brand messaging and engage with the hiking community.
  • Community Engagement: Engage with the hiking community, gathering feedback and insights to inform ways we can better serve the community at large.

Work Environment

Creativity First: We believe in putting creativity at the forefront of everything we do. We encourage our team to leverage their creativity to develop new initiatives, promotions, and systems that further enhance our offerings for the hiking community. Whether it’s brainstorming new content ideas, designing fun social media campaigns, or crafting unique brand experiences, creativity is core to our DNA.

Passionate Community: Joining The Trek means becoming part of a vibrant and passionate community of long-distance backpacking enthusiasts. As a member of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in this community and become an influential figure within it. From sharing your own hiking experiences to connecting with fellow outdoor adventurers, you’ll be surrounded by individuals who share your love for exploration and adventure.

Flexibility and Autonomy: We value autonomy and trust our team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently. While collaboration is important, we also understand the importance of giving our team members the freedom to manage their own projects and workflows. Whether you thrive in a collaborative environment or prefer to work autonomously, you’ll find the flexibility you need to succeed at The Trek.

Remote Work Options: While we prefer local candidates (based in Golden, CO) for this role, we also welcome applications from candidates located elsewhere in the United States (sorry international friends). The Trek offers flexible remote work options, allowing you to work from the comfort of your own home or from your favorite outdoor destination. If you’re local, you’ll be asked to work from The Trek’s office at least two days per month, with the option to work locally more often.

Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We ask that our team members commit to giving us 40 productive hours per week, but it’s entirely up to you to decide when those hours happen. With the exception of scheduled meetings, you have the freedom to manage your time as you see fit. Whether it’s hitting the trail for a mid-week hike, taking care of errands, or simply prioritizing your mental health, we encourage you to make time for the things that matter most to you.

Benefits and Perks

  1. Flexible Working Hours: Enjoy the flexibility to set your own schedule and work when it suits you best, allowing for a better work-life balance.
  2. Unlimited Paid Time Off (seasonality dependent): Take advantage of our generous PTO policy to recharge, relax, and get on the trail, with consideration for peak workload periods.
  3. Simple IRA Benefits: Plan for your future with ease by participating in our Simple IRA program, with employer contributions to support your retirement savings goals.
  4. Health Insurance: Health Insurance Coverage: As part of our commitment to your well-being, The Trek will cover 100% of your premium for medical health insurance, ensuring that you have access to quality healthcare with minimal out-of-pocket expenses.
  5. Company Retreat Option: Join us for an annual company retreat or gatherings where you can connect, collaborate, and celebrate achievements with your colleagues.
  6. Prodeals and Free Gear: Access exclusive prodeal discounts, offering significant savings on top outdoor brands. Plus, enjoy free gear opportunities, ensuring you’re equipped for your adventures without breaking the bank.
  7. Trek Swag and Merchandise: Show off your pride in The Trek with free Trek merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, BUFFs, stickers and more.

Salary: $62,400.

Start: This role will start in September or October 2024. 

APPLY HERE