Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Marketing and Communications

at American Alpine Club

🏢 About American Alpine Club

The American Alpine Club is a historic nonprofit (founded 1902) uniquely positioned at the intersection of climbing culture, conservation, and community support. Working here means contributing to preserving climbing history while advancing current initiatives like rescue benefits, grants, and advocacy—ideal for someone passionate about both marketing and the outdoor/climbing world.

About This Role

This Director role leads all marketing and communications strategy for a climbing-focused nonprofit, requiring integration of brand stewardship, fundraising support, and program promotion across digital, social, and traditional platforms. It's impactful because you'll shape how climbers and donors engage with the AAC's mission, directly influencing membership growth, advocacy reach, and philanthropic outcomes.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategizing with the Philanthropy team on donor communication materials, reviewing social media content for brand consistency, overseeing website updates to promote grants or events, and collaborating with program leads on advocacy campaign messaging—all while managing a remote team and contractors to execute the AAC's marketing plan.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Alpine Club Is Looking For

  • Has 8+ years in marketing/comms with 2+ in leadership, ideally including nonprofit or outdoor industry experience
  • Demonstrates specific expertise in media relations and press release development for mission-driven organizations
  • Shows proven ability to create strategic plans that align marketing with organizational goals like fundraising and advocacy
  • Possesses strong cross-platform storytelling skills (digital, print, social) with samples showing impact on donor communications or program promotion

📝 Tips for Applying to American Alpine Club

1

Highlight specific examples where you've supported fundraising through donor communications or impact storytelling—quantify results if possible

2

Tailor your resume to show experience with both strategic planning AND hands-on execution in digital/social media, website strategy, and brand stewardship

3

Demonstrate knowledge of climbing culture or outdoor nonprofits; mention AAC programs like their campgrounds, grants, or publications if relevant

4

Include a portfolio or links showing press releases, multi-platform content, and campaigns that align with AAC's conservation/community focus

5

Emphasize cross-departmental collaboration experience, especially with philanthropy teams, using concrete examples

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience developing and executing integrated marketing/communications strategies for mission-driven organizations', 'Specific examples of supporting fundraising through donor communications, storytelling, or stewardship materials', "How your background in media relations and press release development can elevate AAC's advocacy and program visibility", "Passion for climbing, outdoor conservation, or nonprofit work—connect it to AAC's unique role in the climbing community"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore AAC's current digital presence: analyze their website, social media channels, and publications like the American Alpine Journal
  • → Review AAC's recent advocacy initiatives, grant programs, and events to understand their key focus areas and messaging
  • → Study the climbing industry and nonprofit landscape to identify how AAC differentiates itself from other outdoor organizations
  • → Look into AAC's membership structure, rescue benefits, and philanthropic goals to understand their audience and donor base
Visit American Alpine Club's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a communications strategy to promote AAC's advocacy initiatives while maintaining consistent brand messaging?
2 Describe a time you partnered with a philanthropy team on donor communications—what was your role and what were the outcomes?
3 How would you approach media relations for a nonprofit like AAC to increase press coverage for climbing conservation or rescue programs?
4 What metrics would you use to measure the success of AAC's digital/social media efforts across membership, fundraising, and program promotion?
5 How would you collaborate with other departments to market AAC's grants, events, and campgrounds without diluting the core brand message?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic marketing materials without tailoring to AAC's nonprofit, climbing, or conservation context
  • Failing to demonstrate specific experience in media relations, press release development, or fundraising support as outlined in requirements
  • Overlooking the remote work aspect—not showing ability to manage teams/contractors and collaborate cross-departmentally in a distributed setting

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Alpine Club!

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