United Way of Central Iowa is seeking a Strategic Communications Project Manager to support and advance United Way’s mission of improving lives by specializing in planning, managing, and executing projects related to marketing and communications. This position is responsible for turning Strategic Communications’ vision into reality. As the first point of contact on all marketing projects, the Project Manager identifies all tasks that need to be completed within a project, and then strategically delegates those tasks to the appropriate team members, vendors, or other resources. They also preside over weekly project tracking meetings, keep track of discussion topics to ensure decision makers can make informed choices, and manage the logistical operations of the communications team.
The chosen candidate will enjoy project management work, have strong organizational skills and works well in a highly collaborative organization. Strong diplomacy and listening skills are a must in addition to having a passion for the organization’s mission and Core Values.
- Serves as the “traffic manager” for marketing projects within United Way of Central Iowa. Ensures that each part of the project moves on schedule and that the entire project is finished on time and within budget (time and dollars).
- Serves as the point person for any questions regarding project workflow, project request submissions, and vendor issues.
- Manage and maintain marketing project management systems and dashboards to communicate project status and timelines.
- Estimates time and costs and schedules all marketing projects. Obtains necessary approvals from UWCI departments during the internal approval process.
- Develops contingency plans and communicates project timeline changes to stakeholders. Provides direction and insightful solutions to issues. Adjusts project priorities and reschedules other work to ensure that organizational priorities are met.
- Proofreads, reviews, and edits projects to maintain accuracy, quality, and consistency with UWCI brand, graphic, and editorial standards.
- Contracts with vendors (printers, graphic designers, web developers, writers, etc.) as needed to ensure adequate resources to meet strategic marketing priorities. Initiates purchase orders for vendors.
- Maintains and manages library of organizational templates: presentations, factsheets, signage, PowerPoint, business cards stationery, name badges.
- With Chief Strategic Communications Officer, leads planning and execution of organizational event marketing
- Works as part of the Strategic Communications team to meet departmental and organizational goals as applicable.
- Aligns behavior and work based on the UWCI Code of Ethics and Organizational Values.
- Relationship Building: Ability to establish and maintain good rapport and cooperative relationships with customers and coworkers.
- Project Management: Ability to plan, direct, and control work tasks to meet specific goals and tight deadlines.
- Problem Solving: Ability to recognize courses of actions that can be taken to handle problems or potential problems and apply contingency plans to solve those problems.
- Presentation skills: Ability to effectively present information to a group.
- Communications skills, Oral: Ability to send verbal messages, and listen to others’ responses in order to convey information.
- Communication, Written: Ability to write concise, clear letters, reports, articles, or emails including proofing and editing.
- Accurate: Ability to consistently produce error-free work to meet quality objectives.
- Organized: Ability to be structured and methodical in working skills.
- Self-motivated: Ability to reach a goal or perform a task with little or no supervision.
- Tact: a keen sense of what to say or do to avoid giving offense; skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations.
Experience:
- 3-5 years’ experience in project or traffic management with a marketing firm or in a marketing department.
- Experience and ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Writing, editing and communication skills, with an exceptional eye for detail.
- Must be able to diplomatically enforce and meet deadlines.
- Social media and website maintenance
- Event planning and management experience desired.
- Solid computer skills with experience in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite software and web-based project management and content management systems,
Other Requirements:
- Ability to lead and direct the work of an intern.
- Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends related to special meetings and events.
- Self-starter with ability to work both independently and as a team member.
- Must possess a strong work ethic and take pride in work quality.
United Way of Central Iowa is an established and highly respected nonprofit in the Central Iowa area and the United Way Worldwide network. Employees at UWCI have a passion for the organization’s mission and community impact work and strive to create a positive, inclusive and welcoming work environment. Our Core Values of Compassion, Integrity, Community Engagement, Responsiveness and Striving for Excellence is the foundation for how we do our work and to reach our aspiration to “Engage Community to Empower All.” This full-time position offers a competitive salary and robust benefits package including health insurance, a dental plan, vision plan, 401(k) with match and paid life insurance. We also offer the following:
- On-site cafeteria
- Free, updated on-site fitness center
- Commitment to employee professional development
- Fostering cultural humility via diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
- Fun monthly opportunities for employees to build camaraderie
- Wellness initiatives
- Convenient central Des Moines location with free parking
- Paid volunteer time off
- Participating in cross-functional teams and organization-wide initiatives and projects
- Tuition Assistance
- Generous paid vacation plan, holidays, a personal holiday and sick time