Fractional Marketing Leader

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary:

Estimated Duration: 2 to 4 Months

Position Overview

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is seeking an experienced Fractional Marketing Leader to provide fractional, contract-based marketing leadership during a transitional period. This role is designed to maintain marketing momentum, support ongoing initiatives, and help position NFDA for long-term success while a permanent Vice President of Marketing is identified and onboarded.

The Fractional Marketing Leader will assume day-to-day oversight of NFDA's marketing function, including brand strategy, digital communications, member engagement, and event marketing. This individual will work closely with the CEO and cross-functional leadership to ensure continuity, advance key priorities, and support a thoughtful transition to permanent leadership.

Scope of Engagement

This is a temporary, contract engagement and does not carry the full supervisory or strategic scope of a permanent VP role. The primary focus of this engagement is twofold: to ensure continuity of marketing efforts currently underway, and to conduct a thorough needs and operational assessment of NFDA's existing marketing functions and resources. The Fractional Marketing Leader is expected to:

• Maintain momentum on active marketing programs, campaigns, and communications without interruption.
• Conduct a comprehensive needs and operational assessment of NFDA's marketing function, including team structure, technology and tools, vendor relationships, content workflows, and budget allocation.
• Identify gaps, opportunities, and recommendations to inform the priorities and onboarding of a permanent VP of Marketing.
• Provide senior leadership with regular updates and a final transition summary, including findings from the operational assessment and suggested near-term actions.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Brand and Communications

• Oversee brand strategy, digital marketing, publications, and social media to ensure consistent, high-quality messaging across all platforms and channels.
• Guide content development for publications, campaigns, and digital channels.
• Direct consumer-facing campaigns and public awareness initiatives that elevate public understanding of funeral service and position NFDA as the trusted resource for families.

Member Engagement and Retention

• Develop and execute member recruitment and retention marketing strategies that drive new member acquisition, reduce attrition, and consistently demonstrate the value of NFDA membership.
• Partner with the Education team to market NFDA's continuing education portfolio, including LMS-delivered programming, to drive enrollment and member engagement.

Events and Convention

• Lead marketing strategy for the NFDA International Convention and Expo and other signature events, including attendee acquisition, exhibitor and sponsor engagement, and post-event amplification.

Revenue and Partnerships

• Collaborate with business development to create compelling sponsorship, advertising, and supplier engagement packages that support non-dues revenue growth through the NFDA Supplier Portal and related channels.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with state funeral directors associations and allied industry organizations to coordinate marketing efforts and extend NFDA's reach.

Digital Strategy and Innovation

• Oversee digital strategy, including website content direction, email marketing automation, and social media presence.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into marketing operations, content production, and member communications to drive efficiency and innovation.
• Establish and track KPIs to measure campaign performance; analyze results and optimize strategies accordingly.

Operations and Team

• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to marketing and communications staff, maintaining team cohesion and productivity during the transition period.
• Manage marketing budgets and ensure responsible use of resources.
• Represent NFDA at conferences, events, and industry functions as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field required; MBA preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressive marketing experience, including demonstrated leadership of teams and complex, multi-channel initiatives.
• Prior experience in interim, fractional, or consulting marketing leadership roles strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in digital marketing, brand strategy, and social media.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to drive decision-making and optimize campaigns.
• Experience in association or nonprofit marketing strongly preferred.
• Ability to ramp quickly, work independently, and deliver results within a defined engagement window.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional certifications (CMMP, CPM, PMP) are a plus.
  
  

Key Competencies

Strategic Marketing Leadership; Brand Stewardship and Positioning; Digital Marketing and Analytics; Content Strategy and Communications; Member and Market Insight; Cross-Functional Collaboration; Vendor and Partner Management; Budgeting and ROI Accountability; Adaptability and Rapid Onboarding

Physical Requirements

This role requires extended periods of sitting, computer use, and verbal communication. Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 35 lbs may be required. Vision requirements include close, color, peripheral, and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus.