Communications Coordinator - Part Time

The Communications Coordinator is an integral position in the Development Department, with primary responsibility for providing strategic, creative and measurable marketing, advertising, public relations, community relations, and brand management to advance New Horizons’ mission of empowering individuals within the neurodiverse community. 

Under the guidance of the Sr. Director of Advancement and Communications, it is the Communications Coordinator’s overall responsibility to implement a comprehensive communications plan and outreach to the community through website, social media, newsletters, community relations and media, and support agency advocacy through all necessary communications initiatives. 

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responsible for maintaining the brand of New Horizons through all forms of internal and external communications.
2. Responsible for social media communications, initiatives, and growth. This includes Google Analytics.
3. Assists in timely website updates.
4. Responsible for agency electronic newsletter.
5. Serves as backup for agency internal daily newsletter.
6. Works with and under the guidance of the Sr. Director of Advancement and Communications to help produce all agency publications and marketing materials including but not limited to annual reports, brochures, posters, flyers, press releases, videos, PowerPoints, letters, programs, speeches, and interviews.
7. Manages branded materials for community job fairs and program promotional festivals.  Maintains inventory at sufficient level and distributes as needed for program and recruitment purposes.
8. Serves as Production Assistant to agency videos and external media outlets (electronic or newspapers) featuring New Horizons.
9. Facilitates community relations opportunities, including preparing and distribution of press and media releases. 
10. Develops all areas of a media relations program to maintain relationships with local media for increased community relations and outreach.
11. Represents New Horizons at community events, meetings and tours as assigned.
12. Assures that timelines are met from the agency’s annual communications calendar. 
13. Maintains/updates catalog of photos and images for use on the internet and in agency publications and community initiatives.  Ensures use of materials follow copyright and permission protocols.
14. Assists Development in its fundraising efforts to major donors, donors, and donor prospects by providing communication support to agency events, direct mail campaigns, and other development initiatives.
15. Assists Development in its grant efforts, by providing supportive materials, i.e., photos and stories.
16. Plans and directs New Horizons home-grown public relations events/opportunities, such as “Java with John,” for the benefit of communicating New Horizons’ mission to donors, community members, staff and Members.
17. Assists with agency special events and projects as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Communications Coordinator must have an in-depth understanding and a willingness to learn about the agency, and its goals and methods by which these goals must be realized. 

Must have knowledge and a proven track record in development best practices, especially related to media and publicity, community relations and outreach, donor relations, multi-media marketing and communication strategies and advocacy.

Must have an excellent ability to motivate, organize and delegate responsibility to volunteers if needed. 

Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.  A writing sample may be required.

Must be highly computer literate in Zoom, Teams, Word, Excel, MS Business Suite, and Canva, and have the ability to learn database software in a very short time.  Must be able to conduct research through the internet and other sources. 

Must be a self-starter with the ability to work individually and in an integrated team environment.

Must be a creative thinker with an eye for detail and design.

Ability to take on responsibility and use initiative to prioritize and work effectively, under pressure and under tight deadlines.  Excellent time management skills.  Must be flexible to meet the needs of unexpected assignments and to work evening and weekend hours as needed.

Must be able to work effectively with the Development team, other staff, volunteers, the public, and clients with developmental disabilities. 

This person will need to drive occasionally for various community visits.  The individual should have a dependable vehicle, proof of vehicular insurance, and a driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  At least three years of experience in a non-profit environment. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essentials functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger or handle; and talk, see, and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25LBs.