JOB OF THE WEEK: First Book, Communications Director (Washington, DC)

Do you have a private sector head and a public sector heart?  First Book is looking for a Communications Director to help lead First Book’s marketing and communications efforts, working with multiple departments to develop and execute communications strategies that support outreach to educators and nonprofit networks, corporate partnerships, fundraising campaigns and volunteer outreach. The Communications Director provides day-to-day leadership and guidance for the communications team, working with the Vice President of Communications and First Book’s executive leadership team. 

The Communications Director also helps manage and oversee First Book’s brand and identity, ensuring that copy, print collateral, websites and outbound communications are consistent, effective and appropriately reflect the organization’s growing mission.

A primary duty of the Communications Director is media outreach: developing and executing successful pitch strategies to press, particularly business, publishing and education media outlets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Communications Director will:

• Work closely with the communications staff to create and manage marketing and communications efforts that support First Book’s partnership and program teams
• Develop a successful media outreach strategy and secure regular, high-profile placement in business, general interest and trade press
• Coordinate communications projects with partners and vendors
• Oversee email marketing and social media programs with clear conversion goals
• Provide writing and editing support for outbound member and partner communications, including promotional materials, web content, newsletters and other materials
• Participate in working groups to plan, coordinate and execute original communications products and publications related to special events, programs and other outreach
• Develop content; reviews and edits drafts of correspondence, reports, and brochures for mass distribution; draft communications pieces for distribution to members, prospects, the general public, volunteer support groups, corporate partners and special interest groups
• Track media coverage 

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:

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including writing and editing effective, compelling copy for a wide variety of channels and audiences
• Ability to perform quality work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently
• Knowledge of media relations and public relations strategies
• Knowledge of effective branding and marketing strategies
• Experience with the strategic integration of social media in communications plans
• Demonstrated ability to hire, mentor and motivate staff
• Ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues on various teams, across different levels of seniority
• A strong working knowledge of graphic design, web design, email marketing and social media
• A commitment to social justice

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

• Seven or more years of experience in communications and marketing
• Three or more years in a supervisory role
• Various technical skills are strongly preferred: online content management, basic web coding, graphic design and layout, and desktop publishing  

A bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field is required

TO APPLY: Click here.  (PF tipster)