Communications Manager - CCO

(Follow the link to "Apply for this Position")

Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) has transformed lives in our Greater Kansas City community for over 35 years. CCO is a faith-based, non-partisan organization focusing on four primary initiatives: Health Access and Equity, Economic Dignity, Immigration and Youth, and Lifelines to Healing (Violence-Prevention). Our core mission is to bring people of all faiths together to build relationships, develop strong leaders, and improve the quality of life in our communities.

CCO seeks a highly talented full-time, exempt, Communications Manager with a passion for social justice to provide leadership in the planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive communications plan that engages our community, funders, constituents, and volunteer leaders. The Communications Manager is responsible for internal communications, public relations, marketing, digital communications, event promotion, media outreach, and collaboration with all staff to support CCO’s initiatives, activities and publications. Additionally, the Communications Manager will support CCO’s policy work by devising media strategies that complement and advance program objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

Develop and implement organization-wide Communications Plan

Promote CCO’s programs and activities through social media (Facebook and Twitter), online communities, and media outlets

Create and disseminate CCO’s Quarterly Newsletter, e-newsletter, and Annual Report to external parties

Create and maintain CCO’s website; provide accountability for staff for content creation and updates

Draft and send regular email communications to various groups of constituents

Develop and update all marketing materials, including flyers, brochures, program briefs, infographics, print materials, presentations, and branding strategies for employee use

Lives in the news cycle; monitors risks and opportunities and seizes real-time media opportunities to advance our values, position and brand

Create, manage and update CCO’s blog; integrate into website platform

Conduct focused evaluation and surveying of different groups for program and communications efficacy/efficiency

Provide training to CCO volunteers, staff and partners on relevant communications topics and strategies

Create letters to the editor, media packets, press releases, and

Establish and maintain a system to track media hits, distinguishing between earned, paid and new media opportunities

Disseminate CCO’s organizing update with PICO National Campaign leads,

Anticipate, prevent and manage crisis communications

Produce detailed reports of communications activities for CCO Staff and Board of Directors

Coaches, trains, and develops leaders and staff as media spokespeople

Additional duties as assigned

Supporting Roles

Working collaboratively with the Program Manager, assist with media relations and coordination

Support fundraising and special event activities, as needed

Analyze data and structure communications for different groups

Work with policy and initiative staff to develop messages, talking points, and phone scripts for issue campaigns and electoral work

Additional duties as assigned

Key Qualifications and Skills

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with experience, strong leadership skills, entrepreneurial spirit, a positive attitude, and the ability to work in a fast paced environment. The candidate will have a strong passion and commitment to social justice issues and will display plenty of creativity and critical thinking skills. Bilingual and/or multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field; Master’s degree preferred

At least 5 years’ experience in a similar position preferred

Excellent communication, writing, and public speaking skills

Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and spoken; knowledge of other languages is desirable

Strong computer skills including demonstrated proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher,Database management (Salesforce and Salsa preferred), Internet, Email, Constant Contact, Website development and design

Strong interpersonal skills, team player, problem-solver

Ability to work well with a diverse professional staff, take on special projects, work independently and to exercise independent judgment when appropriate

Ability to work with persons from communities of diverse ethnicity, language, faith traditions, and economic background

Superior organization and follow-through skills

Ability to maintain timelines, meet deadlines, prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously

Flexible: able to adapt to constantly shifting priorities, able to revise plans and adjust schedules without notice, willingness to work nights and weekends regularly

Commitment to CCO’s mission

Communities Creating Opportunity provides competitive pay based upon experience. Salary package includes benefits such as: health and dental insurance, paid vacation, and retirement (some conditions apply). Due to high volume of applicants, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Application Procedure

All applicants must apply for this position online. (Follow the link to "Apply for this Position")

Please have the following three (3) documents ready to upload to your online application:

An electronic file of your resume (preferably in PDF format) including 3 references and salary history;

A cover letter (stating why you would be the ideal person for this position);

A writing sample (demonstrating your ability to think critically and communicate effectively).

If you need assistance or experience any technical difficulties with your online application, please contact careers@piconetwork.org. Resumes will not be accepted via this email address.