Communications Strategist

Description

Now Hiring
Communications Strategist

Reports to: Director of Development & Communications (DDC)

Position Status: Exempt, Salaried; (40 hours/week)

Salary: $64,605+/year plus benefits described below

Office in Charlottesville, VA with Hybrid in-person/Remote Work Policy

ORGANIZATION
Piedmont Housing Alliance’s mission is to create affordable housing opportunities and foster community through education, lending, and development. We are the backbone nonprofit affordable housing organization in the region and operate through a collaborative approach as evidenced through a broad range of partnerships from new housing development to recently opening Charlottesville’s first Financial Opportunity
Center. Our work reflects our core values of Equity, Opportunity, Home, Community, and
Respect. Over the last five years, Piedmont Housing has increasingly deepened its focus on racial equity as a primary lens for the organization’s work – internally, programmatically, and through advocacy – and we strive to become an anti-racist organization.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Communications Strategist, in partnership with members of the Development & Communications team, will develop Piedmont Housing Alliance’s strategic communications plan and lead its implementation to strategically build, strengthen, and expand our reach with supporters, donors, clients, and the broader community.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
· Maintain, update, and create content for Piedmont Housing’s website that is dynamic, accessible, and mobile friendly, including developing a plan for enhanced client and donor usability.

· Continue to develop and implement the organization’s social media strategy; coordinate Piedmont Housing Alliance’s social presence, ensure a consistent voice across social media, and create, edit, and share social media content across channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.

· Develop, plan, implement, and measure a year-round schedule of external communications to increase visibility, resources, and impact. This includes initiating and leading content development and managing publication/updates of impact stories and annual reports, email campaigns, and newsletters.

· Develop a clear message, document impact and achievements, and generate strategic coverage in social media, industry media, and mainstream media. Manage all media inquiries and represent Piedmont Housing Alliance in the community.

· Lead marketing strategy by conceiving of, writing, and producing marketing materials and media placements, including by not limited to videos, brochures, flyers, merchandise, advertisements, press releases, 1-pagers, and PSAs.

· Responsible for development, maintenance, and execution of crisis communications plan.

· Provide guidance and oversight of internal communications, including Board communications, staff communications, and support of Executive Director’s communications.

· Support the Executive Director and DDC in preparing for Board meetings, including organizing the agenda and accompanying documents, taking meeting minutes, and managing communications with Board Committees.

· Guide creation of a Piedmont Housing Alliance style guide.

· Recruit and provide supervision of interns, including from the University of Virginia.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills Required

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Piedmont Housing Alliance is seeking an organized, high-energy individual who takes initiative and welcomes a challenge. This position requires a person who is detail-oriented, efficient, and accurate, with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and a passion for the nonprofit sector and community development.

· Bachelor’s degree preferred.

· 3-5 years’ relevant experience in communications, digital media, public relations, marketing, or donor research preferred.

· Must be an exceptionally strong writer—persuasive, clear, and efficient—as well as an excellent editor, attentive to message and style standards and able to maintain a consistent voice, brand, and content across all platforms.

· Demonstrated ability to work productively and communicate effectively with donors, Board members, and colleagues.

· Experience working with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media channels.

· Experience with Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, Hootsuite, Canva, WordPress, and Microsoft Suite.

· Must be abreast of emerging technologies, communications best practices, and trends in the digital communications and social media arena.

· Ability to meaningfully engage with issues of racial equity and inclusion.

· Organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines, with the ability to focus simultaneously on both big picture strategy and hands-on implementation.

· Motivated to work in a results-oriented, industry-leading environment with high expectations for quality and speed of work.

· Ability to work autonomously and use good judgment on when to involve others in decisions.

· Initiative, with a commitment to follow-through, multi-task, and exceed deadlines.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Additional Info

CONDITIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT

● Successful completion of a criminal background check and 10-panel drug screen
● After accepting employment, new employees are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation confirming their identity and eligibility to work in the United States

BENEFITS OVERVIEW

Piedmont Housing offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package which includes:

● Generous Paid Time Off

• 4 weeks PTO (sick + vacation); goes to 5 weeks after 2 years of employment
• 1 extra PTO day on (or near) an employee’s birthday
• 11 paid holidays
• ½-day Fridays during the summer months
• Sabbatical opportunities for Director Level positions
• 4 weeks of parental leave (birth or adoption)

● Opportunity for merit-based bonuses

● Retirement

• 3% salary contribution to 403b by PHA
• Match up to 2%

● Medical

• Paid medical + dental insurance for employee

● Dependent Care FSA

● Training/Coaching

• Opportunities for Executive Coaching for Director Level positions
• Access to regular, paid training/travel opportunities through NeighborWorks Training Institutes (and other national intermediaries) as well as Virginia-specific opportunities to support skills and leadership development

Piedmont Housing Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a team that uplifts and values inclusive policies and equitable practices.
Candidates of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and abilities are encouraged to apply.