Communications Manager

Manager, Communications

JOB PURPOSE

The Manager, Communications role provides strategic planning, messaging, and operational support to effectively communicate MACP's mission, values, and key priorities to internal and external audiences. This role strengthens organizational visibility by developing and delivering compelling communication strategies across internal, digital, and social media channels. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Manager plays a key role in advancing long-range communication goals and supporting cross-functional initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal Communications

The Manager supports the organization's strategies through internal communications planning and support that help employees and members of governance understand MACP's organizational building blocks (which includes MACP's legacy and brand, philosophies, approaches, and priorities. This includes:

• Develop and implement communication strategies that align with organizational goals and enhance brand visibility, with a focus on communication tied to MACP's key priorities.
• Support internal communications that help employees and members of MACP governance understand our organization's legacy, philosophies, approaches, and priorities.
• Manage communication planning and support for key elements of MACP all-employee meetings, including support for leadership messaging and ways to enhance staff engagement.
• Develop and manage content plan and calendar for internal communications platforms, including our bi-weekly employee e-newsletter, monthly news highlights e-newsletter, and SharePoint home page announcements.

Digital Communications and Content Strategy

• Manage content calendar across MACP's digital platforms, including web, email, and social media.
• Oversee planning of online content such as program stories, email campaigns, news releases, and visual assets.
• Analyze performance metrics to measure impact and refine communications based on insights.
• Provide guidance and support for staff around best practices for online activity that aligns with MACP's mission, values, and employee guidelines, with a focus on social media training and support.

Team and Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as a Collaborative Partner with assigned Program and Cross-Functional teams, providing subject matter expertise on communication-related needs.
• Participate in activities that support team and organizational priorities, including contributing to internal publications and responding to internal and external inquiries for information.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives that support people, culture, and leadership priorities.
• Support MACP's vision and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) by contributing to team and organization wide DEIJ goals and efforts.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, business, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8 or more years of professional communications experience, preferably in nonprofit, social impact, HR/People communications, or multi-layered environments.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and active listening skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and develop clear, compelling messages.
• Proven success developing and executing integrated communication strategies across multiple channels.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to quickly build strong and sustainable professional relationships, navigate sensitive topics with diplomacy, and interact with people at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft platforms sufficient to effectively and independently use relevant platforms, including PowerPoint and Word.
• Strong project management skills including proven ability to prioritize, develop realistic action plans, and work on multiple, complex projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of organization.
• Demonstrated success managing digital content, social media, and analytics tools in in a professional context.
• An understanding of the principles of artificial intelligence, how it can be used responsibly, and how communications professionals can use AI productively.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to intercultural understanding and sensitivity and awareness of systemic racism and other forms of structural injustice.

Preferred

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Asana, and email marketing tools.
• Background working with media, including crafting press materials and managing relationships with journalists.
• Experience working in or with nonprofit organizations and understanding of social impact communications.
• Experience managing staff, interns, and/or temporary staff.
• Leadership experience and ability to mentor or support a team of communicators.

TRAVEL

• Ability to travel on occasion, both domestic and international

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is an office setting with a designated office or workstation at the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies office in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

• We practice a hybrid work schedule with the expectation that employees will work in-office 3 days per week with the option to work remote up to two days per week. This includes working in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday and either Monday or Thursday; all employees work remotely on Friday.
• There may be occasions where it is required to be in-office more than 3 days in a week or on a day normally scheduled as a remote workday, depending on the role.
• We practice shared work hours between 9am-3pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-12pm Friday.
• Occasionally, the person in this role may be required to adjust to time pressures and frequent changes. This role may require an irregular schedule or overtime.
• This position is primarily a sedentary role with an adjustable sit/stand desk.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings or events, etc.
• Occasional or intermittent physical activities may include bending, reaching, twisting, stooping, or climbing within an office environment.
• This position requires regular use of a computer to complete work responsibilities. It also includes regularly working with other office equipment and communication technology, such as a videoconferencing, telephone, copy/print machine.
• This role also frequently performs multiple tasks simultaneously and works closely with others as part of a team.

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this description.

We know that engaging, building trust, and making a difference relies on the collective wisdom and strength of a truly diverse organization. With this in mind, and as an equal opportunity employer, we encourage and strongly welcome candidates of all identities, lived experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.