DESCRIPTION
Amara works to ensure that every child in foster care has the love, support, and comfort of a committed family – as quickly as possible, and for as long as each child needs. We work with foster and adoptive families who are committed to caring for children, whether for a month, a year, or a lifetime.
The Communications Specialist supports Amara’s communications and outreach initiatives. This is a position for someone who is used to and enjoys playing diverse roles including writer/editor, project manager, and analyst. The Communications Specialist helps maintain the integrity of Amara’s brand and ensures consistency of messaging across diverse audiences and channels and executes on a number of fronts, including social media, our website, and other channels. A skilled storyteller and natural relationship-builder, the successful candidate is someone who makes things happen and is resourceful, results-oriented, and passionate about Amara’s mission.
To continuously improve our communications, the Specialist must routinely review and evaluate communications analytics available through various tools across our channels. The person must be committed to staying current on the research and new uses of communications technologies and software to recommend new strategies and applications to the Director of Communications and Outreach.
Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strive for equality and justice in the way people are treated and the opportunities they have to succeed by working to address racism, unequal treatment and other barriers to inclusion. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds (including communities of color, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and people with disabilities) to apply and join us in our work.
Responsibilities
The Communications Specialist reports to the Director of Communications and Outreach as part of the Communications & Outreach team. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Help manage messaging framework and consistency of use across various channels to ensure brand coherence
Manage content development and communications calendar for Amara’s website, blog, newsletters, and social media channels—provide engaging information about our work and help optimize visibility with key audiences
Create content (blog posts, videos, social media posts, op-eds) to help deliver on Amara’s commitment to better serve more children in foster care
Work with graphic designer and web developer to create and distribute print and electronic materials, including:
Social media content
Website updates (blog, event announcements, photos, news articles, newsletters, press releases, etc.)
Print and e-newsletters
Annual report for donors and other supporters
Press releases, as needed
Event announcements, invitations, programs, and signage
Marketing, development, and solicitation materials, as needed
Identify media opportunities and implement social and targeted media campaigns around key programs and issues, as well as monitor media cycles, create and update media lists
Collaborate with the Communications Director to ensure maximum utilization of Amara’s content assets.
Work with the Communications Director and Amara’s clinical staff to develop a process to capture and catalogue stories; as well as crafting stories for a variety of external uses.
Provide communications counsel and support to the Communications & Outreach team (including Family Recruitment and Events & Partnerships) on outreach activities, information meetings, and upcoming events
Serve as a communications resource for internal teams and provide writing, design, and distribution support to our stakeholders to keep them informed and updated about Amara’s programs and progress
Manage occasional Communications interns and volunteers, and vendors
Assist with other projects as needed
Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.)
Minimum of 5 years working experience
Exceptional storyteller, writer, and editor
Strong commitment to Amara’s mission and promoting social justice
Ability to translate complex concepts into easy-to-understand language adapted to the needs of diverse audiences
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to prioritize competing goals in order to meet tight deadlines
Strong attention to detail
Comfortable working independently as well as collaborating effectively as part of an entrepreneurial team
Articulate, polished, and professional demeanor with strong work ethic, initiative, and confidence
Experience with social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter); social media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, TweetDeck, Facebook insights, SproutSocial); email marketing platforms (MailChimp, Constant Contact), website (WordPress and Google Analytics), and Microsoft Office; comfortable with exploring and learning new technology and tools
Preferred:
Three-five years’ experience working in a communications or marketing role
Copy editing and/or professional writing experience
Current knowledge of digital communication trends, techniques, and analytics
Familiarity with graphic design programs (especially InDesign and Photoshop)
BENEFITS
Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life and disability insurance.
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
Professional
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED
4-year degree
HOW TO APPLY
careers@amaraputskidsfirst.org