Senior Director, Communications, United Way of Massachusetts Bay

The Senior Director of Communications will lead efforts to broaden audience base and increase public awareness/engagement in our work as well as the results we are driving in the community, increasing our perception of community leadership in our region. The Senior Director of Communications will play a key role in the development and management of online communications and social media strategy, corporate communications, media relations and advertising.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Media Relations and Advertising
• Develop plans and implement media outreach around United Way events, announcements and results.
• Draft organizational news releases, media advisories, blog posts, OpEds
• Development of speaking points, position statements and corporate communications
• Grow and strengthen relationship with traditional and new media journalists by increasing perception of United Way as a valuable, reliable, quick-to-respond, and insightful source. 
• Measure effectiveness of media relations efforts through placement numbers and content analysis.
• Work with VP, communications, and creative team to develop brand-level advertising campaigns, secure pro-bono placements, measure impact and recognize media donors in reasonable timeframe.
• Online Communications and Social Media Strategy
• Oversee content development for web and social media channels
• Assess the effectiveness of existing website content, architecture, navigation, interactivity, design, use of new and social media, and overall quality.
• Work with marketing department and the organization to set overall web and social media strategy as it relates to marketing goals (go/no go on new sites, consistency of message and design).
• Serve as editor of Speak United, the organization’s blog.
• Identify the digital communication tools that would advance our strategic goals and champion their adoption throughout the organization; review and approve digital communication tools (e.g. mobile) that have bubbled up in other parts of the organization.
• Evolve social media policy, strategy and integration into communication efforts.
• Grow inbound marketing based on quality keyword-rich content creation and search engine optimization.
• Measure effectiveness of online communications and social media strategies through set metrics, including growth of # of new visitors, inbound links, and time spent on sites.

REQUIREMENTS

• BS/BA in Journalism/Communications or related field and a minimum of five years experience in a related field.
• Strategic, conceptual and creative thinker.
• Proven record of supporting multiple programs and/or clients simultaneously.
• Combined agency and in-house non-profit experience a plus.
• Proven knowledge of and experience within the local and regional media market required.
• Demonstrated use of social media to engage and deepen relationships with the media and the public.
• Ability to produce high quality written material requiring minimal revision.
• Exemplary judgment, experience and skills in responding to media inquiries and crisis communication.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. 
• Detail oriented with ability to delegate, prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Computer skills required-Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
• Drupal or equivalent content management web platform experience helpful.
• Commitment to excellence and to the mission of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.