Communications Officer

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is a $220 million dollar community foundation focused on enriching the quality of life in Washtenaw County. Their assets have doubled since 2015 and now AAACF is one of the 20 fastest-growing community foundations in the US.

Founded in 1963, AAACF administers over 600 charitable funds. Through a core team of 17 Trustees, 14 employees, and 400+ volunteers, AAACF works to connect people, charitable causes, and permanent capital for community impact.

As frequently cited statistics note that communities of color, women and other marginalized groups apply to positions only if they completely meet qualifications, we encourage you to upend those statistics and apply to this position. We excitedly anticipate your application, and cover letter detailing why you are interested, how you are exceptional, and in what ways AAACF's values align with yours.

Overview

Reporting to the CEO, the Communications Officer collaborates with colleagues across the Foundation and its supporting organizations to develop and implement all communications strategies. The Communications Officer works to elevate and support the brand and increase stakeholder understanding of and engagement in the Foundation's work. The successful candidate will support the practice of encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusiveness as the cornerstones of all that the Foundation does.

Responsibilities

Communications & Marketing

• Develops consistent brand identity, positioning, and key messages.
• Creates an annual communication and marketing plan with the leadership team and communications & marketing committee; evolves goal-oriented plans over time.
• Creates and manages an editorial calendar to implement communication strategies across digital channels, publications, media opportunities, events, speaking engagements, and other communications opportunities.
• Maintains a style guide to communicate the organization's voice, culture and brand guidelines in a way that is accessible to all staff members.
• Develops and oversees all content for internal and external communications, including press releases, blog posts, website content, newsletters, etc.
• Develops and oversees all content and graphic elements of communications and publications, including collateral.
• Sets themes, writes copy, and develops specific content for print newsletters.
• Provides communication planning and implementation for fundraising campaigns, events, and grant-related initiatives.
• Uses design and editing software for in-house graphic design projects, videos, and presentations, emphasizing collateral materials for development (fundraising) needs.
• Ensures the consistency of the community foundation's voice and that all material abides by brand and cultural competency standards.
• Manages contracts and relationships with related vendors and business partners.

Media Relations

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all media (print, radio & television) inquiries and assists staff with media interactions as needed.
• Maintains a comprehensive media list of local/regional/industry contacts while building relationships with key media contacts.
• Works with the leadership team to prepare for speaking engagements, collaborate on written content, create messaging for critical events/news, etc.
• Participates in the overall development and execution of communication tactics.
• Assists in coordinating press conferences for significant grant and gift announcements.
• Develops advertising and marketing content for the print, virtual, and broadcast media.
• Helps identify advertising and sponsorship opportunities to promote the Community Foundation among critical audiences.

Staff Collaboration

• Collaborates with other staff to source relevant content for communications.
• Educates staff on communication processes.
• Works with staff to develop communication timelines and create unique invitations, appeal letters, printed programs, and presentations.
• Creates and implements innovative and audience-specific strategies and messaging that increase value among donor partners.

Digital Communications

• Creates and edits digital content for core communications, including copy, graphics, photos, and videos.
• Develops content across various digital and social platforms with an emphasis on persuasive collateral materials for events and development (fundraising) needs.
• Serves as a lead website editor in order to create, edit, review, and publish fresh and relevant content.
• Monitor digital and print communications to track performance and determine the strategic impact of communications work.
• Provide oversight of the Foundation's social media presence.
• Explore new strategies and tools to keep the Foundation on the leading edge of further media use.
• Track, analyze, and create reports to illustrate the effectiveness of tools and new audience and donor engagement.
• Use data and assessment to maintain and grow audiences across platforms.

General Responsibilities

• Monitor marketing/communications-related activities by budget.
• Update and maintain communications policies as needed.
• Maintain image archive and historical foundation timeline.
• Work on special projects as needed, including but not limited to awareness campaigns, video production, significant website development, etc.
• Assist donors, board members, grantees, professional advisors, and the public in a courteous, helpful and respectful manner.
• Provide rapid responses with a target of one working business day (or less) turnaround on questions and requests for information.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Education

• Advanced degree in communications, branding, marketing, publishing, design, or a related field preferred and four years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated affinity for philanthropy and the social sector.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into language easily comprehensible to diverse audiences.
• Advanced writing and editing skills.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with proven success handling overlapping deadlines.
• Knowledge of Adobe creative suite, WordPress or similar web platform, and Microsoft Office suite (PowerPoint and Word) required.
• Video editing capability and photography skills are a plus.
• Articulate, polished, professional demeanor with strong work ethic, initiative, and confidence.
• Team player with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff at all levels.

*Candidates will be asked to submit a minimum of two writing samples.

Behavioral Competencies

• Mission: Genuine and demonstrated passion for the community and the AAACF vision around diversity, equity and inclusion. Demonstrated leadership presence to represent the Core Values of the Foundation in the public sphere
• Communication: Ability to establish effective relationships with prospective donors, donors, professional advisors, board members and staff members; incorporates a strong customer service ethic into all activities (a service-oriented mindset is critical); confidentiality and discretion are a must; good sense of humor and ability to laugh at oneself
• Teamwork: Consummate team player; comfortable supporting and leading group efforts; willingness to embrace AAACF's strategic and tactical direction; active manager and mentor for all direct reports; contributes to a positive culture for all AAACF staff
• Organization: Highly motivated, self-organized; thrives on handling multiple activities at once; able to prioritize issues on an ongoing basis; great attention to detail; able to handle most office tasks without assistance
• Professional Maturity: Able to work independently to achieve objectives and solve problems; an entrepreneurial and creative mindset; a very strong work ethic, as well as integrity, sound judgement.

AAACF Benefits

• hybrid working environment
• health, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with contribution matching
• eight weeks of paid family or medical leave
• life insurance
• short and long-term disability insurance
• flexible and childcare savings accounts
• paid time off and much more

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $70,000 based upon a candidate's relevant qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

Please submit the following items: resume and cover letter addressing these 3 questions:

1. What makes you an exceptional candidate for this position?
2. Why do you want to work at AAACF?
3. Which, if any, of our Core Values resonates with you?

AAACF is an equal opportunity employer.

Current Openings for Communications Officer Jobs at Karen Andrews Group