Communications & Engagement Manager

Job Title: Communications & Engagement Manager, Continuum of Care (CoC)
Department: Marketing & Communications Grade: 26
Date Prepared: 05/2026 FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Communications & Engagement Manager, Continuum of Care (CoC) reports to the Director of Communications of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County (United Way), with a dotted line to the CoC Director of United Way. This individual ensures the planning work of the collaboration is properly and widely communicated to maximize the impact on ending homelessness throughout Milwaukee County. This position is grant-funded.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS:

• Collaborates with United Way Community Impact, Marketing & Communications and the CoC team to determine clear branding and messaging in describing the relationship between United Way and the Milwaukee CoC.
• Develops and executes public relations and communication plans in collaboration with the Director of Communications that highlight Milwaukee CoC activities, outcomes and priorities to persons experiencing homelessness, member agencies and the public.
• Plans, organizes, and implements Project Homeless Connect for the Milwaukee CoC as part of United Way's homelessness key initiative.
• Plans, organizes, and implements at least daily activities for Homelessness Awareness Week annually.
• Manages website, creates social media posts, agency updates, and newsletters as part of broader United Way efforts to end homelessness in Milwaukee County, all in collaboration with United Way Marketing & Communication team.
• Creates visually accessible and data-informed materials (infographics, dashboards, impact reports) with support from United Way Marketing & Communications as needed.
• Ensures consistent communication between committees, workgroups, and the broader CoC network.
• Tracks deliverables, outcomes, and data for each initiative, producing reports for the CoC and funders.
• Provides support to Compliance Manager in NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity)preparation ensuring all required communications are posted at the correct times.
• Assists with HUD (US Department of Housing & Urban Development) reporting and compliance.
• Other duties as assigned, including:
  • Supports United Way-led PR and communications initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Communications, including media relations, talking points, key messaging, correspondence, electronic communications, and crisis management.
  • With oversight from the Director of Communications, develops and pitches compelling stories of United Way's impact to media, and helps build trusting relationships with reporters and sector influencers to advance the United Way story of community leadership and impact.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Identifies topics and trainers, implements and facilitates quarterly coalition meetings, ensuring that all funding mandated trainings occur, and there is an eye towards educating frontline staff on a career path in homeless services.
• Planning and executing public events, listening sessions, and trainings to foster transparency and inclusion.
• Facilitates stakeholder workgroups and collaboratives, ensuring lived experience and provider perspectives inform system design. Manage CoC special projects, when assigned.
• Coordinates community engagement and outreach for persons with lived experience, making sure their voice is represented in all levels of CoC decision making.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD
All United Way information is held confidential. There is no disclosure of any internal United Way strategic information or volunteer, vendor and donor information.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public administration, public policy, human services, social work, public health, or related field required.
• 4-6 years directly related experience in communications and public relations required; preferred experience with homelessness services, and direct work with persons experiencing homelessness. HUD specific experience also preferred.
• Knowledge of federal homelessness and housing programs, regulations, Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), and knowledge of federal grant regulations is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse community stakeholders.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work in a complex environment using technical and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with volunteers and others in the community representing a broad range of interests and backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task effectively.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including those experiencing homelessness.
• Demonstrated ability to establish good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including staff members, volunteers, contributors, nonprofit representatives, alternate federations, and vendors.
• Demonstrated independent decision-making skills and ability to assess and plan for effects.
• Ability to independently complete complex work and apply sound judgment in response to evolving issues.
• Experience working with common software applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or other similar programs.
• Experience or knowledge of computer-based outcome reporting systems.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Mission-Focused. The top priority for all United Way professionals is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivation.
• Relationship-Oriented. United Way professionals understand that people come before process and are astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• Collaborator. United Way professionals understand the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• Results-Driven. United Way professionals are dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good; creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• Brand Steward. United Way professionals are stewards of the brand and understand their role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. Ability to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or technical procedures; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, other employees, and the general public; communicate and work effectively with volunteers and others in the community representing a broad range of interests and backgrounds; respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands at UWGMWC are representative of what is needed to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, reach, stoop and occasionally kneel.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting is required (such as loading paper into a paper tray).
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; including overtime as business demands dictate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (business office with computers, phone, printers and light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of UWGMWC to comply with all relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. UWGMWC will not discriminate against any qualified applicant with respect to any terms, privileges or conditions of employment based upon an individual's physical or mental disability. UWGMWC will also make reasonable accommodation whenever and wherever possible for all employees or applicants with disabilities provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments required by the job, and provided that any accommodation does not require significant difficulty or expense. UWGMWC's policy of non-discrimination applies to all personnel and employment practices including, but not limited to, job application procedures, hiring, advancement, termination, compensation, job training and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of UWGMWC to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, veteran status or military service, or other non-merit factor or other legally protected characteristic. This applies to all recruiting, hiring, placement, training, promotion, compensation, transfers and other employment-related programs and personnel actions.

BELONGING & INCLUSION STATEMENT
Belonging & Inclusion is a core value at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. We strive every day to enhance the culture of belonging and are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment. We believe this allows us to attract, retain the best possible colleagues to use their full gifts to serve our community. We are looking for other great colleagues who are excited about this important work.

This job description indicates the general nature and work level performed by employees within this position. It is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required. The duties and/or requirements of this position may be modified, added, or deleted at any time. Other duties may be assigned.