The Communications Coordinator is a new full-time position at Voices for Virginia’s Children (Voices), an organization whose mission is to champion public policies to improve the lives of Virginia’s children. The position was created to help Voices fulfill its strategic initiatives around increasing awareness of the organization’s work and building greater support of that work throughout Virginia. The Communications Coordinator will help advance this mission by supporting all aspects of our work, including policy advocacy, the KIDS COUNT data center and publications, fund development, and organizational communications.
Voices’ strategic initiatives are:
Build a stronger brand so that we are better known by citizens, child-serving organizations, and policymakers.
Develop networks of more informed and vocal child advocates in each district who will respond to advocacy opportunities with their elected officials.
Cultivate greater citizen awareness and engagement so that more citizens vote with children’s issues in mind.
Develop additional tools that improve our ability to make our case to policymakers.
Responsibilities
Strategy/Messaging:
Provide communications strategy and coordination for the Voices’ team
Develop annual communications plan, including measuring impact, across all organizational areas that aligns with and furthers strategic initiatives
Ensure the Voices for Virginia’s Children brand – its visuals and voice – remain consistent across the organization
Assist other staff in message development around policy issues to translate complex challenges and solutions into messages that resonate with non-expert audiences
Social Media/Website/Print:
Coordinate all social media and web content, soliciting drafts from subject matter experts on staff, editing content, and posting
Manage email advocacy platform and list, integrating advocacy content on website
Develop and write content for all print publications, including semi-annual newsletters and annual report; coordinate production with external graphic designer and printer; coordinate mailing
Work with KIDS COUNT Director and policy team on development of policy reports, issues briefs, and infographics; assisting with editing, proofreading, design, and promotion
Media Relations/Events/Fundraising:
Develop media relationships statewide across social, print, radio, and television
Coordinate organization’s media relations efforts, assisting staff with content for media releases and interviews and prepping staff for interviews related to policy issues and events
Work with relevant staff to provide communications support the organization’s special events, such as receptions, conferences, advocacy days, etc.
Work with Development Director on annual appeal letters and other collateral pieces for fundraising purposes
Assist with grant writing by developing boilerplate language around organizational mission, recent accomplishments, and other commonly-required wording for grant proposals
Knowledge, Skills, Experience
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related field preferred with at least five years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, business or related field
Excellent communications skills, both written and oral; ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling messages for non-expert audiences
Experience writing a variety of content, including social media, emails, newsletters, brochures, blogs and other related online and print communications
Strong editing/proofreading skills
Ability to work well with a wide variety of people, including families affected by policy decisions, elected officials and other policymakers, board members, and donors
Demonstrated ability to think strategically about communications
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as work as part of a team
Proficiency in WordPress or other web design programs; experience with CQ Engage or other e-advocacy platform helpful
Graphic design skills and/or experience with fundraising communications a plus
Other requirements
Six to eight samples of current work (that is, work that is no more than one year old), including at least one example of complex issue about which you have communicated in a simple, compelling way. Clearly explain your role in the creation of the work.
Salary
Commensurate with experience
Benefits
Medical and dental insurance, free parking, long-term disability and life insurance, retirement, and generous PTO.
Application Process
Electronic applications only. Email resume, cover letter and samples to info@vakids.org. No phone calls, please. We will be accepting applications until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 21.
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About Voices for Virginia’s Children
Vision: Voices for Virginia’s Children is the non-partisan, go-to resource on children’s policy issues for all major stakeholders in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including policymakers, child-serving organizations, and citizens.
Mission: Voices champions public policies that improve the lives of Virginia’s children.
As an organization that seeks to improve the lives of ALL children, we are committed to the principles of inclusion, diversity, and equity. We work to incorporate these values at several levels, including having an inclusive and diverse board and staff.
