Communications Manager

Company Overview

Worksystems, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that pursues and invests resources to improve the quality of the workforce and the lives of workers in the city of Portland, and Multnomah and Washington counties. Our mission is to coordinate a regional workforce system that supports individual prosperity and business competitiveness. We are the area’s most effective means of connecting workforce development funding with the community-based organizations best-positioned to make the most out of it. Worksystems brings together good-faith actors – direct-service providers, government agencies, private-sector enterprises, and community nonprofits – to work toward something that makes us all proud: a closer-knit, more prosperous, more equitable metro region.

Worksystems is committed to promoting and supporting Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our internal and external work. JEDI values are embedded across our internal HR policies and practices, as well as a core indicator of success metrics in our Strategic Plan. Our team is dedicated to increasing our individual awareness, creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for our employees, partners, and jobseekers, and combatting systems of oppression.

About the Position

The Communications Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with the Executive team, department leaders, and external partners. The Communications Manager’s main priorities are related to ensure key stakeholders have a clear and succinct understanding of Worksystems’ mission, vision, and strategies. The Communications Manager leads strategic communications, community networking, website management, and social media content.

Job Duties:

• Develops and implements a plan to support Worksystems’ communications needs.
• Develops strategies to promote Worksystems’ mission, goals, and successes with local, regional, state, and federal partners, stakeholders and elected officials.
• Identifies and maintains an inventory of key relationships for Worksystems and develops customized strategies for ongoing engagement.
• Creates visual representations through graphics, one-pagers, dashboards, or other methods to clearly convey Worksystems’ role in the public workforce system.
• Develops messaging to promote and support Worksystems’ Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts, progress and impacts..
• Develops (or oversees the development of) collateral and outreach material to promote Worksystems and WorkSource Portland Metro programs, trainings, and events.
• Oversees and supports several brands including Worksystems, WorkSource Portland Metro, Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborate and other program-specific brands.
• Regularly attends a wide variety of stakeholder meetings and represents Worksystems at external partner events.
• Generates success stories and testimonials highlighting the positive impact of participation in our training programs, initiatives and activities.
• Provides support to staff in layout, graphic design and content editing/proof reading for a variety of reports and outreach materials; oversee the work of contractors when needed.
• Organizes, supports and coordinates events, meetings, and other Worksystems public-facing activities.
• Develops tools and techniques and assists with facilitating groups and processes to gather stakeholder feedback and survey partners.  
• Manages Worksystems website and social media platforms including Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram; generate ongoing and regular content.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What You Can Expect to Accomplish in the First 6 Months:

• Meet with all department heads, program leads, and Executive team members to gain a full understanding of the public workforce system and Worksystem’s value proposition within that system.
• Work with external contractor to help finalize organization website update, set to launch in Fall 2024.  
• Create an ongoing content calendar and strategy for department heads to provide real-time updates and success stories on the website.
• In collaboration with the JEDI Council, develop an initial demographic dashboard for the website focusing on key information about participants served.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience gathering and writing success stories, testimonials and other strategies to demonstrate positive impact.
• Experience with designing collateral, developing infographics/graphics, content layout and copy editing/proofreading; ability to coordinate the work of a contractor in these areas can substitute.
• Ability to translate complex concepts and/or politically sensitive issues into easy to understand talking points.
• Ability to utilize a variety of technologies including, Microsoft Office 365; Social media management of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram; Knowledge of and prior experience using WordPress
• Ability to plan and coordinate public events.
• Ability to work on several projects simultaneously and manage work flow to meet established timelines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through both oral and written media; presentation and facilitation skills preferred.

*A note on qualifications: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. 

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Mostly sedentary work; using standard office equipment including: a computer, keyboard, and telephone. 
• Work environment: Hybrid. Employees are welcome to work-from-home most days but may be called into the downtown office or to a partner site as needed.
• Position requires occasional local travel within the Multnomah and Washington counties.
• Be accessible during standard business hours ~9am - 5pm PT

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email [email protected].

Note:  Worksystems employees must live in the state of Oregon or Washington for payroll processing purposes.  Although we operate in a hybrid work environment, proximity to the Portland Metro Area is needed for this role.  Employees may have to attend in-person meetings in the Portland Metro Area.  Sometimes with same-day notice.

Benefits

Salary & Benefits

• Starting Salary Expectations: $95,000 - $106,500 (New hires will generally not exceed this range, based on experience and internal equity).
• Medical (including vision) and dental plans with employer contribution toward monthly premiums
• 401k plan with up to 6% match, 100% vested at the time of enrollment
• Generous PTO
• 4 hours of Volunteer Leave per month
• 8 free sessions with mental health providers, unlimited free financial coaching, and 25% legal discounts through Canopy EAP

Application Timeline: First review of resume’s will be Tuesday, July 23. After this date, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.