Communications Associate

Job Description

Job Description

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Salary:

$50,000-$55,000

About BISM:

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) creates opportunities and independence for blind individuals of all ages through innovative rehabilitation programs, diverse career opportunities, quality blind-made products, and a variety of resources. Each year, BISM provides programs and services to more than 2,000 blind individuals and employs approximately 475 Associates across 12 facilities in Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, where we manufacture high-quality products

Position Summary:

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is seeking a creative, organized, and motivated individual to join our team as a Communications Associate.

This position reports to the Director of Development & Communications and supports BISM's organization-wide communications efforts. The Communications Associate will help manage BISM's digital communications, including the monthly newsletter, podcast, website, social media content calendar, LinkedIn articles, storytelling initiatives, and other communications projects.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and storyteller who is comfortable managing multiple projects and collaborating with staff, consultants, and partners to keep communications moving forward. This person should be able to take ownership of recurring communications projects while also being flexible enough to jump in when new needs, events, and opportunities arise.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Digital Communications & Content

• Oversee the development and distribution of BISM's monthly electronic newsletter, including gathering content, coordinating contributors, editing copy, and managing production and distribution.
• Coordinate and oversee BISM's podcast, including identifying topics and guests, scheduling recordings, coordinating production, and supporting promotion of new episodes.
• Manage routine website updates and ensure information across BISM's website remains current, accurate, and engaging.
• Write and develop articles for LinkedIn and other digital platforms that highlight BISM's programs, people, expertise, and impact.
• Assist with writing and editing blogs, email communications, organizational announcements, marketing copy, and other external communications.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and ensure communications align with BISM's brand and mission.

Social Media

• Work closely with BISM's social media consultants and content writers to develop and maintain the organization's social media content calendar.
• Review and approve planned social media content and ensure posts are accurate, timely, and consistent with BISM's voice and brand.
• Identify stories, events, milestones, awareness opportunities, and organizational updates that should be incorporated into social media planning.
• Provide consultants and content creators with the information, photos, stories, and other materials needed to develop effective content.
• Monitor upcoming organizational activities to ensure important stories and opportunities are captured and promoted.

Storytelling & Content Development

• Manage and continually develop BISM's story bank by identifying and gathering stories from students, alumni, employees, families, partners, and others connected to BISM.
• Conduct interviews and develop stories that can be adapted for newsletters, social media, donor communications, the website, annual reports, presentations, and other marketing needs.
• Work across departments to identify compelling stories, accomplishments, milestones, and program updates.
• Help coordinate photography, video, testimonials, and other content needed to tell BISM's story.
• Ensure stories are shared respectfully, accurately, and in a way that reflects BISM's mission and philosophy.

Marketing & Communications Support

• Assist with the development and production of marketing materials, flyers, invitations, presentations, signage, promotional materials, and other collateral.
• Support email marketing campaigns and targeted communications.
• Assist with organizational announcements, media outreach, press releases, and other public relations activities as needed.
• Help maintain brand consistency across print and digital communications.
• Track communications projects and deadlines to ensure recurring initiatives remain on schedule.
• Stay current on communications, digital marketing, social media, and nonprofit storytelling trends and identify opportunities that may benefit BISM.

Events & Organizational Support

• Provide communications and marketing support for BISM fundraising, community, and program events.
• Assist with event promotion, materials, photography, social media coverage, and follow-up communications.
• Attend events as needed to capture content and support the Development & Communications team.
• Assist the Director of Development & Communications with special projects and other departmental priorities as needed.
• Be willing to support projects outside of regular responsibilities when organizational needs arise.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to write for different audiences and platforms while maintaining a consistent organizational voice.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage recurring projects and multiple deadlines with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort interviewing and collaborating with people throughout the organization.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with consultants, vendors, coworkers, and outside partners.
• Creative thinker who can identify opportunities for engaging content and storytelling.
• Comfortable learning and using new digital communications tools and platforms.
• Proactive, flexible, and willing to take ownership of projects.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, English, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 2-4 years of communications, marketing, public relations, nonprofit, or related professional experience preferred.
• Demonstrated professional writing and editing experience.
• Experience managing or contributing to email newsletters and digital communications.
• Experience with website content management systems such as WordPress.
• Experience writing for LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
• Familiarity with email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact, Mailchimp, or similar systems.
• Experience coordinating social media calendars and working with social media management tools.
• Podcast production or coordination experience is a plus.
• Experience with Canva, Adobe products, or other design tools is a plus.
• Photography and/or basic video content experience is a plus.
• Nonprofit communications experience is preferred but not required.
• Interest in and commitment to BISM's mission and changing attitudes about blindness.

Additional Qualifications:

• Full-time, salaried position based in Baltimore, MD.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events.
• Willingness to travel to other BISM locations as needed.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. We especially encourage qualified individuals who are blind to apply.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is a 501©(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing career and training resources to blind and visually impaired people across multiple locations in the United States. BISM is recognized for our adult, youth, and senior training programs. Our belief in the capabilities of blind people is the foundation for residential skills training, innovative work readiness, home management and college-prep classes. As one of the largest employers of blind people, BISM’s manufacturing operations offer competitive employment opportunities for blind people while exceeding the expectations of our customers. Blind Associates play a crucial role by breaking down employment barriers in all divisions of our organization, including Human Resources, IT, and accounting. The Federal Government is BISM’s largest customer, and we support all branches of the US Military by manufacturing a variety of uniforms. BISM manufactures a large variety of products for the state of Maryland and the commercial market. Our largest contributions are a full line of janitorial products, a variety of office supply paper products, lock sets, and custom labeled bottled water. We further support the US Military by operating 9 Base Supply Centers (BSCs). Throughout all our BISM locations, we work to positively change people’s attitudes about blindness.

Company Description

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is a 501©(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing career and training resources to blind and visually impaired people across multiple locations in the United States. BISM is recognized for our adult, youth, and senior training programs. Our belief in the capabilities of blind people is the foundation for residential skills training, innovative work readiness, home management and college-prep classes. As one of the largest employers of blind people, BISM’s manufacturing operations offer competitive employment opportunities for blind people while exceeding the expectations of our customers. Blind Associates play a crucial role by breaking down employment barriers in all divisions of our organization, including Human Resources, IT, and accounting. The Federal Government is BISM’s largest customer, and we support all branches of the US Military by manufacturing a variety of uniforms. BISM manufactures a large variety of products for the state of Maryland and the commercial market. Our largest contributions are a full line of janitorial products, a variety of office supply paper products, lock sets, and custom labeled bottled water. We further support the US Military by operating 9 Base Supply Centers (BSCs). Throughout all our BISM locations, we work to positively change people’s attitudes about blindness.