WHAT IS A COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ?

The Communications Director is tasked with leading and offering expert guidance on agency initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes and consequences of poverty within the community. This role involves devising and executing strategies to enhance, oversee, and aid the Action Pathways brand and its promotional activities. This includes managing various communication platforms such as print media, social networks, websites, signs, marketing materials, and presentations. It's crucial for the Director to have a deep comprehension of, and to champion, the agency's heritage, purpose, and goals while actively engaging in the dissemination of its efforts, aims, and achievements.

Need-to-Know Overview of a Communications Director

1. Communications Director Functions

  • Maintain a highly functional and interactive website
  • Prepare publications, presentations, talking points and collateral
  • Coordinate video projects, photoshoots and displays, and oversee production of materials by outside vendors
  • Establish relationships with media, public officials, donors and other stakeholders who can advocate for the agency's mission
  • Coordinate with other service providers to initiate joint venture agreements and knowledge sharing, obtain local, state and federal government support
  • Facilitate community development that champions the overall success and growth of the agency
  • Support program fundraising and reporting efforts, including grant management and event planning
  • Work with Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Board of Directors, Agency Advancement, Policy Council, and additional staff and advisors to support communications needs across the agency
  • Work with program directors and staff to identify needs relating to sponsored events, grant-funded programs and special initiatives
  • Serve as primary expert on Crisis Management and develops plans to convene Crisis Management Team in event of emergency
  • Assists in communicating needs to the public in the face of disaster, ie. natural disasters call for volunteer assistance, etc
  • Serve as spokesperson for the agency
  • Report to Chief Executive Officer and supervise non-supervisory personnel
  • Proven managerial and interpersonal skills to lead a dynamic team and work with diverse populations

2. Communications Director Education and Experience

  • Possess proven analytical abilities, strong writing and verbal skills, and advanced graphic design capabilities. Proficiency with Adobe CC preferred
  • Experience garnering regional press attention, and developing strategic advertising campaigns to maximize resources and reach desired goals
  • Grant writing and fundraising experience preferred
  • Possess the experience and judgment to recognize the need for change, and the leadership skills to create change
  • Commitment to our mission and values, which include racial, social, and economic justice, in addition to gender justice.
  • Passion for being a part of and working to deepen our organizational practices and culture as an empowering, inclusive, supportive workplace for people of color, transgender and nonbinary folks, and others who face systemic oppression.
  • A high level of independence and good judgment.
  • Commitment to building actively anti-racist systems, projects, and teams
  • Sense of humor and a commitment to a diverse, collaborative work environment.