Manager of Engagement and External Communications

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Manager of Engagement and External Communications will identify and foster engagement opportunities by developing and facilitating strong relationships while emphasizing Oak Hill’s programmatic impact to key stakeholders within the community.

This position provides various external communications support to all Oak Hill programs including, but not limited to: social media, media outreach, media buys, direct mailings, annual appeals, newsletter story cultivation, public education efforts and website updates. This position also participates in the creation and implementation of special events.

This position is responsible for the creation of Oak Hill’s External Communications Plan that provides detailed strategies to be implemented in an effort to communicate the organization’s impact to both internal and external stakeholders. This External Communications Plan will be tied directly to the goals and objectives of the agency’s strategic plan, the Development Plan and all remaining Oak Hill Program Plans. This position engages the board and leadership in building a culture of philanthropy at Oak Hill that ensures overall fundraising success.

SUPERVISORY AND OTHER CONTACTS

The Manager of Engagement & External Communications works under the general direction of the Senior Director of Development and does not have any supervisory role. This individual will act as a liaison with consultants and vendors as needed. This person works with all members of the Oak Hill Development Team to ensure the team’s success.

This individual will have contact with administration, board members, employees, parents, donors, funders and the public.

TARGET OUTCOMES/MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Creates and oversees Oak Hill’s External Communications Plan outlining specific goals and objectives tied to the agency’s strategic plan.
• Identifies and fosters engagement opportunities by developing and facilitating strong relationships
• Effectively and consistently communicates agency impact to Oak Hill Stakeholders
• Develops communications strategies to meet program needs while tying them to philanthropy
• Enhances fundraising efforts to increase the agency’s revenue.
• Creates culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Stays current on best practices in the field via professional development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Writes all stories for fundraising appeals, newsletters and other fundraising collateral and prepares their production in collaboration with graphic designer and printer
• Prepares donor newsletters for external distribution

• Works with program staff and department heads to identify program highlights/community impact and current and future initiatives that need to be communicated to all Oak Hill Stakeholders.  
• Identifies and secures stories/photos (with photo permissions) for publications, appeals, touches with parents/guardians and donors and other types of communication strategies necessary to communicate impact

• Creates and manages an External Communications Plan that communicates community impact and inspiration of agency programming while cultivating strategic partnerships to support forward-looking and creative insight on future initiatives
• Works with Oak Hill departments/programs to review the external communications needs outlined in their individual program plans to determine the types of support each program needs to achieve stated goals.  These types of support may include but are not limited to management of website and media content, creation of new program and event flyers, social media messaging, and emails to the public and parents/guardians

• Manages communications with the media
• Builds strong working relationship(s) with media contacts i.e. broadcast vendors
• Prepares and distributes press releases and other informational materials to all press outlets
• Assists with coordinating and scheduling media interviews and gathering information in preparation for any agency staff or constituent media interviews
• Drafts quotes for CEO understanding their writing style and “tone” for different communication pieces
• Works with media vendors to place media buys and/or ads, negotiating pricing to meet demands of budget considering the return on investment

• Develops and Manages a Social Media Plan for Oak Hill which includes – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Maintains and/or assists with ALL Social Media pages
• Provides reports on performance of social media pages
• Identifies fundraising opportunities using Facebook, Crowd Rise and other fundraising platforms

• Manages all Website Content
• Provides web content/website maintenance support to programs
• Attends Oak Hill events and posts to website / social media when appropriate
• Works with Development team to identify companies and organizations that should be linked to Oak Hill pages (e.g. Corporate Partners)
• Acts as liaison with IT Department to provide more intricate website updates from programs, as needed.
• Maintains a web update schedule for various sections of the site to ensure that they remain current (e.g. appeals, publications, message from the President, 990’s, volunteer opportunities, advocacy calendar, etc.)
• Oversees Google Analytics and provides reports on a quarterly basis to appropriate Program Director(s)
• Tracks and reports impact of external communications efforts by creating systems that analyze the investment of resources and uses these reports to determine future investment
• Conducts regular strategy sessions regarding internal and external communications
• Maintains an inventory of marketing supplies/presentation folders/brochures/promotional items and marketing event materials (e.g. banners/tablecloths, etc.)
• Works with members of the Development team to coordinate and participate in any relevant agency committee work.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Four-year degree and five years of related experience or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Understanding of the non-profit/Development environment
• Basic graphic designs skills
• Expert knowledge of social media platforms
• Passion for the Mission
• Photography skills a plus
• Working knowledge of Google Analytics a plus.
• Knowledge of website and content management using WordPress
• Experience executing events and working with vendors.
• Practical knowledge of general office equipment use.
• Ability to make decisions under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and to be flexible and dependable
• Excellent writing and oral communication/presentation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality work.
• Ability to interact with all types of personalities and levels of management.
• Ability to work after hour events and weekends, as requested.
• Knowledge of fund development methods and practices. 
• Knowledge of media relations.
• Knowledge of desk top publishing and other publishing platforms Microsoft Publisher, Word, Microsoft Excel and Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries from individuals and groups. 
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. 
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or board members.  Ability to interact and develop rapport with a broad range of individuals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

              The following physical activities are likely to be performed within the frequency listed below:

              Sitting:  occasionally                                              Standing:  occasionally

              Walking:  occasionally                                          Hearing:  frequently

              Talking:  frequently                                                Using hands:  occasionally

              Using fingers:  occasionally                                  Seeing: (close), constantly

              Driving:  occasionally

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Indoor.

              Low to moderate noise level.

              Office setting with the possibility of dust.

              Occasionally                                 0% - 33%

              Frequently                                    34% - 66%

              Constantly                                    67% - 100%