Director of Communications

Position Title:  Director of Communications 

Position Level:  Director 

Reports to:  President + CEO  

Status:  Salary, Exempt, Full-Time (40 hours per week) 

Hiring Range:  $60,000 - $63,000 

Prepared Date: April 2024 

About WMCAT  

The West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and community. We fulfill our mission through visual arts and tech engagement, workforce development, and social enterprise.   

Position Summary 

The Director of Communications plays an essential role in advancing WMCAT’s mission by understanding, elevating, and amplifying our work to strengthen connection with a diverse group of stakeholders. The Director of Communications leads the development and implementation of the annual communications strategy across all WMCAT channels, establishes and maintains the integrity of WMCAT’s organizational voice, narrative, and brand identity, and works collaboratively across the organization to advance thought leadership in mission-aligned areas.  

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with experience developing and implementing communication strategies, possesses strong command of written and verbal communication with an emphasis on asset-framing, and can provide leadership with internal and external stakeholders. 

Essential Duties + Responsibilities  

Strategic Communications + Branding 

• Establish and advance WMCAT’s organizational voice and brand identity through all WMCAT channels and vehicles. 
• Coordinate with the Communications Manager to advance and implement WMCAT’s annual communications plan through efforts including but not limited to: print collateral, e-newsletters, website, social media, earned media, awards nominations, supporting and preparing colleagues for external engagements, and fund development communications. 
• Leads theme and strategy of WMCAT’s print newsletter, sent three times a year, develops written content including President + CEO’s article. 
• Script and/or approve messaging for all external communications, including print and digital media, and public speaking opportunities. 
• Develop messaging for new initiatives in collaboration with the involved director(s) and President + CEO. 
• Create shared understanding around WMCAT’s key messaging and branding amongst staff and board, including the creation and maintenance of standard tools and templates.  
• Maintain the integrity of WMCAT’s brand and ensure cross-organization alignment with brand standards on all collateral and external presentations of note, including but not limited to: board meetings, community partner presentations, and WMCAT events. 
• Work with the President + CEO and identified directors to identify and develop individual areas of thought leadership; and create content that aligns personal brand with WMCAT’s strategic goals.  Identify and pursue partnerships, networks, and guest speaking/writing opportunities to advance thought leadership. 
• Review and edit all program evaluation drafts in collaboration with program directors. 
• Work with the President + CEO and Director of Development to develop messaging and content in identified areas of mission-based education and advocacy. 

Administrative Leadership 

• Prepare and manage the Communications budget responsibly and in alignment with WMCAT’s strategic goals. 
• Lead and support the Communications Manager to execute the annual communications plan. 
• Actively contribute to organizational strategic planning and goal setting. 
• Ensure alignment with organizational policies and ethical business practice standards. 
• Represent WMCAT as the central point of contact with all earned media opportunities. 
• Create an environment that fosters open communication within and across the organization. 
• Demonstrate leadership by building trust both internally and externally, inspire others, and provide clear direction to achieve strategic objectives. 

WMCAT Mission + Organizational Expectations

• Advance WMCAT's mission (see above) and vision to provide equitable access to opportunity. 
• Serve on WMCAT’s leadership team, providing strategic vision and collaborative leadership for the organization.  

• Demonstrate a willingness and desire to grow professionally, learn, and contribute to a culture of equity, inclusion, and innovation. 
• Recognize your responsibility and contribution to the culture of WMCAT.  
• Represent WMCAT at occasional designated events throughout the year, which may occur outside of standard scheduled hours. 
• Desire to align with WMCAT’s values (listed below). 

Requirements

Preferred Experiences + Skills  

• Demonstrated experience could include: 
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit leadership or related field of study. 
• Five or more years of demonstrated experience in strategic communications, marketing, or branding, preferably in the nonprofit sector.    
• Proficiency in computer skills and software systems, including Microsoft Office 365 Suite, project management software, Canva, and Adobe Acrobat. 
• Strong leadership skills, ability to work well with a variety of people in a team setting, and an appreciation for a collaborative environment.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong attention to detail and process. 
• Excellent organizational skills and desire to maximize efficiency; prioritization of multiple deadlines concurrently.   
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated within a team environment.  

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job's duties, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel, and to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to sit, walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move from 15-45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.   

Additional Details: Recognizing there is leadership in every community, WMCAT is seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We are dedicated to hiring employees that reflect the communities we serve across race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. No person shall be excluded from WMCAT services, employment or volunteer participation because of ethnicity, race, national origin, age, height, weight, genetic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, economic circumstance, veteran status, physical and/or mental abilities/characteristics, philosophy/religion, or any other status that is protected by State of Michigan or federal law or by local ordinance for those jurisdictions where WMCAT operates.  

WMCAT’s Values 

• Design for Equity: Creating a world that works for all of us. 

Rooted in an understanding that systemic oppression is perpetuated by design, we center marginalized voices, consciously co-create solutions, and challenge unjust systems to provide equitable access to opportunity. 

• Pursue Learning: Engaging the experiences and expertise around us. 

Acknowledging that we never “arrive” in our understanding, we engage each other, ourselves, and our community with curiosity and appreciation for diverse lived experiences, seeking out new ideas, more robust context, and opportunities for growth. 

• Build Community: Curating belonging for collective good. 

Grounded in the belief that our humanity, prosperity and futures are interconnected, we intentionally create space for belonging, build authentic relationships, seek partnership in our collective work, and respect our shared context. 

• Center People: Leading with empathy. 

Guided by the mindsets of equitable human-centered design, we seek the perspectives of and create solutions with those most affected, embracing the inherent value of each individual and prioritizing whole-person thriving. 

In-person, full-time at WMCAT: This position is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The candidate should be comfortable working in person with some flexibility for remote work. WMCAT's regular office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.  

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: All WMCAT employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Benefits

Pay: Compensation within the listed hiring range is based on experience and nonprofit industry standards. Competitive benefits package provided, including:  

• 15 days of PTO  
• 15 paid holidays  
• Birthday day off  
• Half-day Fridays during the summer  
• Simple IRA with employer match of up to 3%  
• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision), premium 65% (average) paid by employer  
• HSA plan option 
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) 
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D)  
• Paid Family Leave  
• Professional development and opportunities for personal growth 

Resumes will be reviewed beginning April 29, 2024; the application will remain open until filled.