Communications Manager Position Description

August 09, 2010

DESCRIPTION

The Communications Manager is responsible for the day-to-day communications functions of the Fund for Our Economic Future and reports to the director of Fund and Regional Engagement.

OBJECTIVE

The Communications Manager’s objective is to maximize awareness and understanding of the Fund’s mission and work among key stakeholders. Those stakeholders include participants in the Fund; regional and national media; national funders; federal and state government; and community influencers in Northeast Ohio.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

External communications for the Fund, including:

  • Weekly updates to FutureFundNEO.org
  • Twice weekly updates to AdvanceNortheastOhio.org
  • Monthly email update for AdvanceNortheastOhio.org
  • Proactive media relations, including writing and distribution of news releases and maintaining positive relations with the region’s media
  • Speaking engagements, including identifying speaking opportunities and preparing remarks and Power Point presentations for Fund representatives
  • Attending meetings as a representative of the Fund
  • Daily updates to social media tools, including LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
  • Development of collateral material (online, print and others) to promote the Fund

Internal communications for the Fund, including:

  • Updating “Inside the Fund” portion of the FutureFundNEO.org web site with timely information regarding Fund committees and activities
  • Preparing, updating and distributing quarterly grantee updates
  • Preparing and distributing regular Fund updates (whether a monthly newsletter or other appropriate vehicles) to Fund members and key stakeholders
  • Preparing quarterly docket memos (e.g. Chairman’s memo, Grantmaking memo, Action Area Team memos)
  • Writing grant proposals to potential Fund members or other contributors
  • Writing grant reports and other updates as requested/required by Fund members
  • Writing annual Fund report to members and coordinating filing of appropriate text to comply with 501c3 regulatory requirements

Other duties include:

  • Monitoring regional news coverage and identifying opportunities to syndicate the region’s news to promote the Fund for Our Economic Future and Advance Northeast Ohio.
  • Identifying national award programs and conferences for the Fund to apply for and participate in to elevate the Fund’s national stature.
  • Identify and develop opportunities to present Northeast Ohio’s regional efforts to national funders and federal government
  • Collaborate with grantees and the Cleveland Plus Marketing Alliance to develop and execute consistent communications to support The Plus initiative and Advance Northeast Ohio.


QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

The successful candidate must possess the following qualifications and skills:

  • A Bachelor’s degree or higher.
  • Excellent grammar, spelling, proofing and organizational skills.
  • Effective communication skills, with an emphasis on the ability to translate complex issues into clear, concise written communications.
  • Planning, organization, execution and evaluation skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and demonstrated expertise in, or a willingness to work with, specialized website, database, and communications software.
  • Ability to use web and social media tools to enhance organization’s reputation and effectiveness.
  • Collaboration skills. The manager will need to collaborate with Fund staff, Fund members and outside stakeholders.
  • Ability to respond sensitively and patiently to staff, members, grantees and community inquiries in a timely manner and ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidences.
  • Demonstrated detail orientation, flexibility, and ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously with a series of continuous deadlines.
  • Ability to work outside of normal business hours when necessary.
  • Ability to develop and produce print collateral material.
  • Ability to develop a communications plan (either for an entity or an individual project) that demonstrates ability to conceive, organize and execute toward a goal.
  • Event coordination skills.

Other highly desirable qualifications include:

  • Familiarity with Northeast Ohio business and nonprofit communities.  

The specific duties and characteristics shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive.  They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.  At the employee’s request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job

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Interested individuals should submit their resume (electronic submissions preferred) as soon as possible to:

Ashley Basile, Finance and Operations Associate
Fund for Our Economic Future
1360 East Ninth Street, Suite 210
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
abasile@futurefundneo.org