Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

The American Rental Association (ARA) is the leading international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry. Representing more than 12,000 rental locations and over 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, ARA helps its members succeed through education, advocacy, networking, safety resources, and industry-leading programs.

We're looking for an experienced Vice President of Marketing & Communications to join ARA at an exciting time in our growth. As a member of ARA's senior leadership team, this executive will play a key role in shaping our brand, strengthening member engagement, and advancing our long-term strategic priorities. With the opening of our new office in Frisco, Texas, this is an opportunity to help shape our next chapter.

Leading a high-performing team, the Vice President provides strategic direction for ARA's marketing, brand, communications, public relations, digital marketing, creative services, and marketing analytics. In partnership with leaders across the Association, this executive develops integrated marketing and communications initiatives that grow membership, increase participation in education and workforce development programs, support advocacy efforts, elevate the impact of the ARA Foundation, and strengthen ARA's connection with members and the rental industry.

As a highly collaborative organization, ARA values leaders who are comfortable rolling up their sleeves, partnering closely with colleagues, and helping turn strategy into action. The ideal candidate is a seasoned marketing and communications executive who anticipates market trends, identifies new opportunities, and translates organizational strategy into measurable results that strengthen ARA's brand, increase member engagement, and advance the Association's long-term strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for ARA's marketing, communications, and brand strategy, ensuring alignment with the Association's strategic plan and organizational priorities.
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement, providing executive direction while remaining actively engaged in key marketing and communications initiatives from strategy through execution.
• Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing and communications initiatives that support membership growth, education, workforce development, advocacy, the ARA Foundation, and other organizational priorities.
• Oversee ARA's integrated marketing and communications function, including brand strategy, public relations, executive communications, digital marketing, creative services, content strategy, marketing technology, and analytics.
• Protect and strengthen the ARA brand through consistent messaging, creative direction, public relations, media relations, executive communications, and content development.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing marketing and communications team by establishing clear priorities, fostering collaboration, and supporting professional growth.
• Use market research, audience insights, performance metrics, and analytics to guide strategic decision-making, measure marketing effectiveness, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Partner with leaders across the Association to align marketing and communications strategies with organizational priorities and deliver an exceptional member experience.
• Develop and manage the marketing budget while overseeing agency relationships, consultants, and strategic vendor partnerships.
• Represent ARA as a senior leader with members, industry partners, media, and other external stakeholders, strengthening the Association's reputation and influence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible marketing and communications leadership experience, including significant experience in an executive or senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience leading an integrated marketing and communications function, including brand strategy, corporate communications, public relations, digital marketing, content strategy, and executive communications.
• Demonstrated experience building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary marketing and communications teams.
• Experience developing and executing long-term marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
• Experience serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and/or a board of directors.
• Demonstrated experience leading marketing and communications through significant organizational change, including periods of growth, transformation, or strategic evolution.
• Experience managing marketing budgets and making strategic investment decisions across multiple marketing channels.
• Demonstrated success increasing brand awareness, strengthening audience engagement, growing membership or customer audiences, and delivering measurable marketing results.
• Demonstrated experience leading comprehensive digital marketing strategies, including website management, email marketing, social media, paid advertising, content strategy, marketing automation, and analytics.
• Proven ability to use market research, audience insights, and performance metrics to guide strategic decision-making and optimize marketing investments.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence across the association, build consensus, and partner effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%, including overnight travel for board meetings, conferences, industry events, and periodic travel to ARA's headquarters in Moline, Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a trade association, nonprofit, or member-based organization.
• Experience supporting membership growth, education programs, workforce development initiatives, advocacy campaigns, or foundation fundraising efforts.
• Familiarity with CRM platforms, marketing automation systems, business intelligence tools, and content management systems.

Schedule & Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position based at ARA's office in Frisco.

Business Travel: Approximately 25% travel is required, including travel to ARA's office in Moline, Illinois, as well as member meetings, conferences, industry events, and other Association business.

What We Offer

• Choice of three medical plans, with dental and vision coverage available. ARA pays 90% of employee-only coverage for the Medical HSA or PPO plans.
• 401(k) with employer matching contributions up to 6%
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Three weeks of paid time off, plus an additional week off between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) available
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Annual wellness reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid parental leave

The American Rental Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s)

• Do you have 10 or more years of progressive marketing leadership experience, including leading teams and developing integrated marketing and communications strategies?

Yes

No

• This is a full-time, in-office position based in Frisco, Texas. Are you comfortable working on-site Monday through Friday?

Yes

No

• This position requires approximately 25% travel, including overnight (by air and car) travel for conferences, member meetings, industry events, and occasional travel to ARA Illinois office. Are you able to meet this travel requirement?
• This is a hands-on executive role that balances strategic leadership with active involvement in execution. Are you comfortable leading at both the strategic and operational levels?

Yes

No

• Describe your experience leading marketing and communications through organizational growth, transformation, or strategic change.

Work Location: In person