Senior Communications Manager

Organization Description: The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners that works to ensure that rural and Tribal communities across the US have access to safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, and economic prosperity through technical assistance, training, and financial assistance in the smallest communities across the country, many of which are low income. RCAP builds capacity at the local level, while raising the voice of rural and Tribal communities through advocacy, storytelling, research, and strategic partnerships. Annually, RCAP serves approximately 2,000 rural and Tribal communities with an average size of less than 1,600.

RCAP is a Non-Discriminatory Employer : We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of identity or background.

Position Summary

Under general supervision of the Director of Capacity Development & Outreach, the Senior Communications Manager will lead the organization’s internal and external communications and marketing strategy to increase visibility, strengthen brand identity and expand engagement with key audiences. This position will closely coordinate with the RCAP programs, training, research and advocacy teams to ensure timely completion of communications deliverables under all of RCAP’s federal and philanthropic programs. This position will manage the Communications Team in meeting contractual deliverables as well as executing internal and external communications campaigns that elevate the organization’s mission, programs and impact across digital, print, media and community channels.

Key Responsibilities

Manage RCAP’s internal and external communications

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external communications and marketing strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Maintain and evolve the organization’s brand voice, messaging framework and visual identity by creating compelling content that communicates mission impact to diverse audiences (donors, partners, media, policymakers, etc.)
• Coordinate on communication initiatives within RCAP’s Teams and between RCAP, regions, partners and funders (federal and others).
• Develop internal communications to ensure staff, regional partners and stakeholders are informed and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Contribute to funding proposals especially in terms of inclusion of communications related deliverables.
• Organize and coordinate communications activities with the RCAP regional partners. Coordinate and report on communications activities to RCAP leadership, Program Managers, and RCAP Board.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure communications support programmatic and strategic priorities.
• Monitor media coverage, audience engagement and campaign performance to inform communications strategy and planning.

Manage RCAP’s Marketing/Media/Public Relations

• Lead marketing campaigns to increase awareness, event participation, sponsorship visibility efforts, and fundraising outcomes.
• Cultivate relationships with media outlets; coordinate media interviews and prepare leadership with talking points.
• Identify opportunities for leadership visibility through op-eds, speaking engagements, and strategic media placements.

Supervise RCAP’s Communications Team

• Responsible for all RCAP communications products across all RCAP programs, including publications, guidebooks, press releases, website, social media, etc. Ensure that all products produced are high-quality, aligned with brand guidelines, delivered on time and on budget.
• Map out all RCAP communications deliverables and help assign, monitor and ensure their timely execution.
• Provide supervision for communications team members.
• Support direct reports with regular check-ins, performance appraisal, and team building needs.
• Participate as member of the RCAP Management Team.

RCAP Outreach and Partnerships

• Maintain and further develop collaborative relationships with other rural space groups, rural community development organizations, and other training-focused entities that complement the work of RCAP.
• Travel as needed to participate in conferences, workshops, training provision, and other activities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field, with 4-7 years of experience in the field, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Strategic thinking with a strong understanding of branding and message positioning.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies across media, digital and organizational channels, including building media relationships and developing press materials.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing digital communications strategies across social media, email and web platforms .
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities at one time.
• Successful candidates for this role bring a strong background in editing and presenting information.
• Substantial knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products is necessary.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills are essential.
• Experience managing/supervising staff; proven remote supervision experience desired.

Preferred:

• Prior public policy and communications experience including but not limited to public relations, storytelling, data journalism, graphic design, editing, and/or field-level experience in rural community development; economic development; drinking water, wastewater or solid waste issues; and/or federal grant management is desirable.
• Graphic design and/or video editing skills.
• Project management skills
• Website management experience