Communications Manager

The Communications Manager supports the fundraising and communications efforts of the Advancement team and larger organization. They are tasked with increasing awareness of SWYFS’s programs and mission, promoting our fundraising efforts, and increasing SWYFS’s audience size and engagement. The Communications Manager works in collaboration with our Advancement Director and Grants Manager to craft copy and assets in support of our proposals, reports, and campaigns. They also work with our Data Director to maintain awareness with the key points of our impact. The Communications Manager oversees the use and guidelines of our brand, public relations, and online presence.

Southwest Youth & Family Serivces's Mission: “Partnering with youth & families to transform their futures.”

SWYFS Website: www.swyfs.org (note: this website is out of date and will soon be replaced)

COMPENSATION, SCHEDULE, & BENEFITS

Compensation:

$75,000 to $85,000 annually DOE, salaried position

Schedule:

Monday – Friday

36 hours per week, evening and weekend hours periodically required;

Hybrid eligible

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision, life, Short & long-term disability insurance;

2 weeks of vacation accrued in the first year, 2 weeks + of sick leave accrued in the first year;

5 floating holidays, 9 paid holidays, 2 paid weeks off at the end of the year;

Costco Membership Reimbursement

HIRING PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The process may move faster or slower than the outline below. Applicants will be contacted if they are selected for an interview and updated as they progress through the process.

April 1 to 27th – Application period. Please have your application in before Monday, April 28th.

April 28th to May 16th – Interviews.

1. Interview 1 - Phone interview with Oliver, the position’s supervisor.
2. A work sample will be requested of applicants between the 1st and 2nd interview.
3. Interview 2 – Panel Interview with members from various departments.
4. Interview 3 – Final panel interview with Advancement team and members of leadership.

May 19th to 30th – Offer Extended

July 1st – Start Role

RESPONSIBILITIES

We understand that applicants will have varied backgrounds and may not meet the listed items in full. Potential applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every listed item.

We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and/or lived experience related to SWYFS’s mission.

Development and Fundraising

• Assist with the development of collateral for fundraising appeals, grant proposals, corporate partnership proposals, investor reports, annual and impact reports, and more.

Engagement & Stewardship

• Manage our annual communications calendar.
• Manage media relations, including press releases.
• Establish an external newsletter, targeted towards investors (donors) and clients.
• Maintain and improve our internal staff newsletter.
• Write blog posts.
• Develop an engagement strategy to grow our audience on social media.
• Develop brand templates and assist program staff with marketing and tabling materials.
• Manage our online presence, including website updates, social media posts, and more.
• Represent the organization in public settings.

Projects

• Develop and maintain a language library for grants, appeals, and program reports.
• Develop an internal collateral request and fulfillment system.
• Conduct a full brand refresh, and lead the process of updating our mission, vision, and values.
• Work in collaboration with senior leadership and our HR team to improve accountability and transparency efforts.

Admin & Reporting

• Maintain key data and reporting in partnership with our data staff and publish dashboards for staff and board.
• Build process and policy documentation for the Advancement team.
• Develop working relationships with other departments to better communicate amongst one another.

Questions? Please contact arowe@swyfs.org

Education and Experience:

• BA in related field and 5 years of experience or training. Can substitute educational experience with additional years of work experience.
• Familiarity with current digital marketing best practices and concepts.
• Proficiency in graphic design, such as the creation of graphic reports, flyers, and social media posts.
• Proficiency in copy writing, such as blog posts, fundraising appeals, or other.
• Proficiency in social media marketing / audience growth.
• Proficiency with computing, including the use of design software, word processors, and email.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Comfortable working with data, including analysis, data entry, documentation, and reporting.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to effectively run meetings, guide stakeholder discussions, and present strategic plans.
• Strong people skills, ability to relay information in diplomatic ways/
• Ability to produce documents in Microsoft Word and Excel, at a minimum.
• Valid WA State Driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Clear driving record with no more than two moving violations in the last three years.
• Willingness to submit to and ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to work effectively in intermittently stressful, rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to work independently and in teams as required.
• Commitment to the vision, values, and mission of Southwest Youth and Family Services.
• Demonstrated management and leadership abilities, including strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to approach work with cultural humility, an openness in recognizing biases and take actions towards mitigating implicit bias.
• Commit to Racial Equity and Social Justice movements within the agency by actively participating in caucuses, meetings, and associated groups.?

Desired (not-required) Skills:

• Experience with fundraising software or a CRM such as Virtuous.
• Experience with producing fundraising events.
• Photography or videography and editing experience.
• Media relations experience, including press releases.
• Advocacy experience, including policy advocacy or other political advocacy / organizing.
• Demonstrated familiarity with local funders and/or community institutions.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Ability to work with and manage volunteers in a fundraising setting.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in nonprofit organizational development and operations.
• Multi-lingual.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.