Director of Communications

Locations: Rochester, NY

Responsibilities
Develops and leads the execution of Common Ground’s integrated strategic communications plan:

Provides vision and leadership to all communication initiatives
Works with leadership to develop strategic communications for the agency’s target audience and ensures communications alignment and support of initiative goals and aspirations.
Develops annual work plan to support a multi-pronged strategy.
Develops and administers operational budget that aligns with strategic and project-based needs.
Assumes responsibility in core communications areas (website, social media, media relations, public relations, advertising, special event management, presentations, reports, etc.).
Prepares proposals, reports and presentations to articulate goals, strategies, plans, activities,
progress, and lessons learned.
Proactively identifies, evaluates, and executes strategic media opportunities as well as media material development.
Provides marketing and public relations support for special events.

Develops and maintains effective infrastructure:

Provides leadership related to recruiting, selecting, training and motivating staff, as well as managing employee performance.
Enhances the agency’s brand and assists all staff to develop the skills needed to be brand ambassadors, ensuring adherence to the agency’s style guide, brand guidelines and branded templates for presentation and publications.
Builds and maintains relationships with diverse vendors, particularly MWBEs
Oversees consultants in graphic design, video production, editorial content, data visualization, and website design and maintenance.
Provides quality oversight for publications and other communications activities.
Coordinates with partner organizations for media announcements/conferences and ensures that review process procedures are followed to allow for adequate stakeholder feedback and buy in.

Provides support to internal teams and agency leadership:

Develops regular internal staff updates to help employees better understand the work of the entire agency and to encourage integration across departments.
Develops and oversees website enhancements and publication of agency newsletter.
Supports fundraising efforts including grant applications, develops cases for financial support and communications to fundraising partners.
Supports initiative/program staff to develop communications and marketing plans
Tracks organizational results to meaningfully demonstrate agency effectiveness.
Supports leadership communication needs through presentation materials, correspondence and all staff meeting preparations.
Provides support for award nominations for key stakeholders.
Assists in tracking interactions with key stakeholders through Salesforce to ensure that important relationships are nurtured through ongoing and meaningful interactions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field such as marketing, communications, or English.
Master’s degree preferred.
Must have 7+ years related experience in strategic communications that includes establishing and implementing communication strategies.
3+ years in a supervisory role.
Experience working in a non-profit setting is preferred.
Excellent networking skills to establish and maintain productive relationships with fellow staff, vendors and community leaders, combined with the ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines.
Experience working independently and, in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential.
Must be proficient with Microsoft office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Experience in overseeing the development of graphic presentations that include charts, tables and graphs is required, direct experience a plus.
Must have excellent copywriting and proofreading experience.
Holds an active New York State Driver’s License and has available transportation to travel as needed for agency business.