The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) has an excellent opportunity for a Communications Director in our Cleveland, Ohio office. The Communications Director will work in collaboration with development and health strategies staff to craft and execute strategic communications, marketing and deliverables in support of AHA/ASA fundraising efforts, educational programs, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts and branding. The Director will play a significant role in helping the Association reach our 2020 Impact Goal by delivering mission-related messaging. The position requires local travel throughout the market to meet with media, community stakeholders, key volunteers and corporate sponsors and attending events throughout the year, some of which are on weekends.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Supports staff and volunteer communications efforts by serving as the strategic communications and marketing lead for the Cleveland market.
- Builds awareness for AHA/ASA brands through execution of targeted communication activities year-round, with specific heightened periods (i.e.) Heart Month and Stroke Month.
- Develops and executes comprehensive and integrated traditional media, social media and marketing plans to effectively build volunteer and supporter relationships; provides compelling content; actively listens to the public and achieves market objectives.
- Serves as a media contact, handling media relations efforts to build awareness for master AHA/ASA and sub-brands through targeted communications activities.
- Collaborates with development and health strategies partners in office to help convey AHA/ASA mission-related activities; includes multicultural audience outreach and communications; also driving communications efforts that directly impact the AHA’s public policy agenda including local, state and federal advocacy campaigns.
- Engages corporate sponsors in effective activation activities and work directly with development staff to generate solid sponsor ROI and activation plans.
- Attends and leads communications efforts for fundraising events, which includes annual Heart Walks, Go Red For Women, Heart & Stroke Ball, Power of Laughter, STEM Goes Red and CycleNation events.
- Works with development partners to inject passion into events via professional scripting and event run-of-show, as well as working with celebrity Emcees and other corporate leaders who are speaking during programs.
- Coordinate with video production companies to create compelling storytelling videos to be used at events; as well as production of event PowerPoint shows to go along with scripts.
- Secures local media and in-kind sponsorships for events and programs.
- Manages and increases social media engagement through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using approved tools and content to represent our brand. Works to engage social media ambassadors with large following to interact with us online.
- Understanding of design needs, including approval of collateral materials and ensuring alignment and adherence to AHA Branding Guidelines. Basic editing and graphic design skills to edit and localize documents for the market.
- Provides volunteer and staff training and additional resources as necessary related to new and on-going AHA programs and campaigns, and serve as lead for crisis communications.
- With approval of Executive Director, write market's monthly newsletter for Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Teams.
- Position requires ability to travel daily throughout the assigned market, and just occasional overnight trips outside the market for trainings/and to National Center in Dallas.
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in communications, public relations,j ournalism or related field preferred. College coursework combined with related experience may be substituted for a degree.
Skills/Experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in public relations communications, public relations, marketing or journalism preferred. This experience may also count toward satisfying the educational requirement.
- Existing media relationships in and knowledge of the markets preferred.
- Proven ability to develop and implement communications plans and to create and place stories and promotional ideas with journalists and promotions directors in print, broadcast and social media platforms.
- Previous experience securing media sponsorships to provide maximum coverage.
- Strong business acumen, relationship building, active listening, persuasive and negotiation skills with the ability to navigate large corporate cultures, engaging with c-level executives and community leaders to meet mutually beneficial business and marketing objectives
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including specialized experience in speech writing, general business writing, writing for both print and broadcast media.
- Understanding of the role of communications in the federal, state and local legislative process preferred.
- Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations.
- Ability to conceptualize and reason through complex problems and provide workable solutions. Strong collaborator and proficient with working with multiple staff partners.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the capacity to manage details and meet deadlines in a fast paced, goal driven environment.
- Skills in writing and editing for a variety of audiences, including multicultural, via numerous marketing platforms, including writing for the web and mobile.
- Experience in engaging communities via Social Media with metrics to support strategies (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
- Experience producing short video presentations, including script writing, shooting video and editing and/or directing external agencies on such projects.
- Ability to create corporate sponsor ROI materials.
- Must have at least intermediate knowledge and skill with Microsoft Office 2013 used for word processing, email, presentations, and advanced knowledge and skill with this program is preferred. These skills are subject to testing.
- Must have the ability to lift at least 20 lbs. from the ground to waist level with or without reasonable accommodation.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jun 15 2019
Active Until:
Jul 15 2019
Hiring Organization:
American Heart Association | American Stroke Association
industry:
Nonprofit