The Communications Manager is the sole communications staffer within SEAL and reports directly to the Executive Director. The Communications Manager is responsible for implementing all communications activities and is heavily focused on developing content. The essential duties for this position include creating different types of high-quality content; translating research and policy content into easy-to-understand versions for different audiences; implementing the organization’s communications plan, new brand and narrative; and collaborating across departments to support organizational-wide communications efforts.
Content Development:
- Translate research and policy papers into briefs, executive summaries and other accessible written formats to share with a broad audience
- Write seasonal newsletter to highlight organizational news, updates and milestones
- Manage organizational website to keep content updated and strategically aligned with organization’s goals and priorities
- Manage the production of photo and video shoots, usage and distribution of photo and video story content
- Build story bank, including:
- Work with colleagues to vet stories
- Conduct interviews with teachers, principals, parents and others, and write their stories
- Promote stories on organizational platforms and share with partners to disseminate
- Build a bank of freelance photographers to capture visuals from multiple locations across the state
- Draft white papers with support from senior staff
- Special projects as assigned
Organizational Communications:
- Update and implement the strategic communications plan for the organization
- Drive ongoing brand integration and updates, including narrative and design consistency, and clarity across the organization
- Update brand and style guidelines and train staff on how to use them when they develop their own materials; and to share with outside consultants on related projects
- Brief staff, leadership and board on communications efforts
- Create high-quality printed and digital materials per the communications plan
- Manage media opportunities, including responding to reporters, writing talking points and writing and pitching op-eds
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of experience in a communications capacity, and relevant experience including a mix of the following qualifications:
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills with a strong focus on creating high-quality content such as briefs, executive summaries and other organizational documents
- Ability to present and defend ideas and recommendations
- Excellent organizational abilities
- Ability to design and implement communications ideas
- Experience with strategic communications practices and techniques
- Understanding and experience with digital communications, including websites, newsletters and social media
- Experience with policy and research nice to have though not required
- Understanding of early childhood education, English Learners and dual language learners nice to have though not required
SEAL pays 100% of the employee only premium and 50% of the dependent premiums for medical, dental and vision. SEAL pays 100% of the premium for Basic Life and AD&D as well as Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability.
SEAL matches up to 10% of employee 401K contributions up to $12,000 or 12% of the employee's salary.
Additional Information:
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Less than 5% travel within the US
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Not Applicable currently but may be in future
ADA Requirements/Working Conditions:
- The organization’s headquarters is located in an office building. Job demands may require long periods of sitting; telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other staff members, external vendors and SEAL external constituents.
- Position may require occasional lifting of heavy boxes, up to 40 pounds, and filing in lateral and upright file cabinets.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
SEAL is an equal opportunity employer, welcomes a diverse pool of applicants, and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. SEAL policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, military service, legally protected medical condition, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.