Executive and Communications Manager: Communications, Marketing, Social Media, & Branding, Manager

Description

The Executive & Communications Manager provides high-level executive support to the President & CEO while independently leading United Way of the Bluegrass’s agency-wide and staff communications. This role oversees the organization’s primary social media presence, internal brand strategy, staff-facing culture communications, and day-to-day communications production.

As a primary voice for UWBG’s internal storytelling, the Executive & Communications Manager translates programs, outcomes, data, and organizational milestones into compelling narratives for staff, volunteers, the Board, donors, and community audiences. The position also manages confidential and time-sensitive matters within the Office of the President & CEO, requiring exceptional discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to independently prioritize competing demands.

The Executive & Communications Manager reports directly to the President & CEO and works closely with the Communications Strategist. The Manager owns agency and staff communications, including UWBG’s organizational social media channels and internal brand strategy. The Communications Strategist owns external brand standards, media relations, campaign strategy, and communications and social media campaigns for UWBG’s community programs, including 211, KYNect, VITA, and the WayPoint Centers.

Essential Functions

Executive Support

• Manage the President & CEO’s calendar, scheduling, and meeting logistics, independently prioritizing and coordinating competing demands on the President & CEO's time.
• Draft, proofread, and manage correspondence on behalf of the President & CEO, including confidential communications involving the Board, donors, employees, and organizational partners.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and prepare expense reports for the President & CEO.
• Support Board meeting logistics, assemble meeting materials, and coordinate follow-up activities in partnership with the President & CEO.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for sensitive and time-critical matters involving the Office of the President & CEO.
• Exercise sound judgment when determining appropriate escalation, response, and confidentiality.
• Provide communications, administrative, and project support for President & CEO-office initiatives as organizational priorities require.

Agency and Staff Communications

• Lead UWBG’s internal brand strategy, helping staff, volunteers, and the Board understand and consistently represent the organization’s mission, values, and brand promise.
• Develop engaging internal culture and employee communications, including internal newsletters, onboarding and brand materials, recognition content, and organizational campaign communications.
• Partner with Human Resources and department leaders to reinforce organizational culture, brand, and mission through internal communications and key organizational milestones.
• Own the strategy, content calendar, voice, community engagement, and performance measurement for UWBG’s primary agency-level social media accounts.
• Independently plan, develop, and publish agency-level social media content across platforms in accordance with UWBG’s brand standards.
• Monitor social media trends and recommend new platforms, content formats, engagement approaches, and paid social opportunities for UWBG’s organizational channels.
• Track communications and social media performance and use available data to improve content and audience engagement.

Communications Production

• Design print and digital collateral, including flyers, presentations, sponsorship materials, campaign assets, and other organizational communications.
• Transform program data, outcomes, and organizational milestones into compelling staff spotlights, client-impact narratives, and organizational stories.
• Coordinate with program staff and follow applicable privacy and confidentiality safeguards when developing client-impact content.
• Use UWBG’s shared Canva Nonprofit account to create and maintain day-to-day design materials and ensure organizational assets remain consolidated within the agency account.
• Maintain and update website content in coordination with the Communications Strategist and the organization’s broader digital strategy.
• Produce internal and external newsletters, email communications, and organizational announcements.
• Support the development of event, campaign, and sponsorship materials in partnership with Resource Development and Community Impact.
• Maintain day-to-day consistency across organizational materials, with the Communications Strategist retaining final approval authority over external brand standards.
• Perform other related duties and support special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

• At least three years of professional experience spanning communications, social media strategy, and senior-level executive or administrative support.
• Demonstrated experience developing and owning a social media strategy—not solely creating or scheduling content.
• Excellent storytelling ability, including demonstrated success translating programs, data, outcomes, and organizational milestones into compelling narratives.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills across executive, internal, digital, and public-facing communications.
• Ability to translate an organization’s mission and values into meaningful culture-building and engagement communications.
• Proficiency with design, email, and social media tools, such as Canva and Meta Business Suite, and the ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• Exceptional discretion, professionalism, and independent judgment when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across executive support, communications, social media, and design production.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, employees, Board members, volunteers, donors, community partners, and external vendors.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business administration, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant professional experience will be considered.
• Applicants selected for an interview may be asked to provide relevant writing, social media, or design samples.

Work Environment

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment, computers, phones, and digital communications platforms. The role requires frequent interaction and collaboration with employees, executive leadership, Board members, volunteers, donors, community partners, and vendors.

Occasional travel to UWBG locations, community events, meetings, or other off-site activities may be required. The position may occasionally work in environments with moderate noise levels, crowds, or changing activity levels during events and organizational programs.

Expected Work Hours

This is a full-time, exempt position with a standard workweek of 37.5 hours. Regular working hours are generally Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Occasional evening, early-morning, or weekend work may be required to support Board meetings, organizational events, campaigns, or time-sensitive communications.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The position regularly requires the employee to:

• Remain in a stationary position and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Communicate effectively in person and through telephone, video, and electronic platforms.
• Move throughout the office and occasionally between UWBG locations or event spaces.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Occasionally lift, carry, or move communications, event, or office materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Pre-Employment Screening Requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of UWBG’s applicable pre-employment screening requirements, which may include:

• Verification of employment history and educational or professional qualifications.
• Professional reference checks.
• Criminal background screening.
• Verification of authorization to work in the United States.
• Any additional screening required based on the responsibilities of the position or access to confidential organizational information.

Benefits

United Way of the Bluegrass offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid and voluntary life insurance options.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Health reimbursement and flexible spending account options.
• Retirement plan participation.
• Paid time off and paid organizational holidays.
• Employee assistance and wellness resources.
• Professional development opportunities.

Benefit eligibility, coverage, and contribution amounts are governed by the terms of the applicable plans and organizational policies.

Salary

The anticipated salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $60,000–$65,000 annually, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, and demonstrated communications portfolio.