Director of Community Relations & Marketing

Director of Community Relations & Marketing

Position Title: Director of Community Relations & Marketing

Corps/Department: Community Relations & Development

Supervisor: Divisional Director of Development (DoD)

FSLA Status: Full-Time/40 hours per week; Exempt

Rate of Pay: DOE

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Scope of Position

The Director of Community Relations & Marketing will ensure that all areas relating to public relations, media, digital/online content, and marketing are functioning at the most effective level possible. Support all aspects of volunteerism throughout the Division. Develop marketing plan for programs and services to ensure a strong and positive Salvation Army image and brand to both internal and external audiences and key target constituencies. Ensure that messaging is consistent and impactful. Provide communications and marketing support to Divisional staff, Corps Officers, program directors and the development team. Provide technical assistance to Corps Officers with various registries and back end online tools. Engage with programs/Corps to secure stories/photos. Develop Classy pages for fundraising events. Design various publications/marketing materials. Assist with special events as requested by DoD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (e.g. Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications) or a minimum of five years' relevant professional experience in lieu of degree.
• Understanding of or experience working in a non-profit environment.
• Appreciation for and understanding of The Salvation Army's mission.
• Effective written and storytelling/communication skills.
• Excellent social media skills.
• Excellent interpersonal/relationship development skills.
• Impeccable organizational and project management skills, with a keen attentiveness to detail while meeting multiple deadlines.

Essential Functions

Communications/Media Relations:

• Develop and implement a strong, comprehensive communications plan in cooperation with the Development team each fiscal year to advance The Salvation Army Alaska Division's resource development, brand, and community engagement goals.
• Lead the storytelling effort in support of The Salvation Army's mission and efforts throughout Alaska to ensure that current and prospective TSA friends and donors understand the value and impact of our work to "Do the Most Good" and their essential role in it. Engage with programs and officers on a regular basis to secure stories/photos.
• Manage overall media relations; develop and implement media events throughout the year that fulfill public relations and marketing objectives; work to fulfill resource development goals that support fundraising events through media pitches, promotional materials/activities, press kits, and press releases.
• Recruit and prepare qualified spokespersons for interviews and media events. Serve as on-site media contact and/or Salvation Army spokesperson, as appropriate.
• Serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) when Incident Command (IC) is established during a disaster. Attend IC briefings and coordinate media updates with Incident Commander.
• Visit local Corps/programs on a regular basis and seek out appropriate service stories and events for external communications that are strategic and ongoing, as well as spontaneous from officers, staff, constituents, and volunteers.
• Assist all Corps and programs throughout the Division with setting up and maintaining social media pages and provide strategy development and training as needed.
• Serve as the lead public relations and communications resource to Corps and program units throughout the division.
• Draft internal and external communications products include talking points, messaging documents, backgrounds, biographies, press releases, fact sheets, and other materials necessary for media interaction and event interactions.
• Prepare and maintain updated press/information kits. Be responsible for maintaining supply for use by Divisional Commander, Divisional Secretary, Anchorage Metro Coordinator, and others as needed.
• Oversee design, production, and dissemination of educational and promotional materials, including external print collateral, video, and electronic communications to ensure that TSA's message is strategically communicated throughout Alaska.
• Proactively plan for and manage crisis communications, in conjunction with Salvation Army leadership, presenting a positive message and image.
• Track relevant news initiatives to identify opportunities to build awareness of TSA's work in the community and promote effective usage of Salvation Army public service announcements.
• Work in cooperation with the to determine theme and design for the annual Impact Report. Oversee all aspects of production, including writing and acquiring stories and photos throughout the year.
• Act as photographer for CRD as requested by DoD. Maintain department video and camera equipment.
• Develop and maintain an organized communications management system, including files, electronic records, and photo library.
• Develop relationships with local media and maintain media list.

Marketing:

• Develop and execute marketing plan for programs and services throughout the Division
• Determine budget in cooperation with DoD and Divisional Commander.
• Manage, maintain, and provide updated content for website and online marketing initiatives including social media and e-mail campaigns.
• Write stories and submit photos for internal and external publications.
• Execute online campaigns (e.g., Virtual Red Kettle, Walmart campaign, etc.). Provide instruction and support as needed to Corps Officers.
• Develop strategy for online marketing via Facebook ads and other online tools (e.g. Google Analytics) and track effectiveness of same.
• Ensure programs are reflected accurately online (e.g. Google Maps, etc.).

Volunteer Management/Recruitment:

• Promote, develop, and coordinate volunteerism throughout the Alaska Division.
• Work with officers and program staff to identify volunteer opportunities and secure volunteers in support of year-round programming as requested.
• Oversee volunteer database and ensure that the website opportunities, volunteer applications and background checks are processed on a timely basis.
• Oversee volunteer check-in, orientation, delegation of assignments, and training at Metro Anchorage events as requested by Anchorage Metro Coordinator or DoD.
• Support annual Volunteer Appreciation event in Metro Anchorage in cooperation with the Anchorage Metro Coordinator.

General:

• Work with Development Coordinator to develop, monitor, and update annually all Classy fundraising pages/codes.
• Be willing to work nights and weekends to provide event/media support, and photography for Metro Anchorage community events and programs, and other CRD projects as assigned.
• Be available to travel for special events and assignments outside of the Anchorage area.
• Attend DHQ/THQ Development Department meetings and training, as required.
• Provide support for special events as part of the CRD Team as requested by DoD.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Software-related Skills: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) required; experience using web content management systems (CMSs) required; ability to read and understand basic HTML language; working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training; ability to use InDesign or a similar program to produce publications. Ability to edit photos.

Language Skills: Must be able to understand, follow and give both written and oral instructions. The employee must be able to use speech and hearing for ordinary and telephone conversation.

Mathematical Skills: Must be able to perform simple calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and apply concepts such as ratios and percentages in practical situations.

Performance Skills: Must be creative, self-motivated, organized, flexible and possess leadership skills.

Driver Requirements: Current Alaska Driver's License with acceptable driving and criminal history. Must also complete and pass The Salvation Army Driver Safety Course.

Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis. Ability to grasp, push, pull, and reach overhead. Ability to operate a telephone. Ability to lift 15 pounds. Ability to access and produce Information from a computer. Ability to understand written Information. Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests if the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Acknowledgement of Religious