Senior Communications Manager

The Colorado Trust

The Colorado Trust is a grantmaking foundation dedicated to ensuring all Coloradans have the opportunity to thrive. When the nonprofit PSL Healthcare Corporation was sold to a for-profit organization in 1985, the sale proceeds were used to create The Colorado Trust. We partner with organizations across Colorado that are working to make positive changes for people and communities. We provide funding and other resources to help every person living in Colorado have the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. Our grants support organizations and efforts focused on policy advocacy, community building, direct services, public education and more. We work side-by-side with grantees and community members to ensure grants are solution-based and effective.

The Colorado Trust strives to maintain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and aims to build an organizational culture that reflects our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

General Description

Senior Communications Manager

The senior communications manager works with the vice president of communications and other Communications Department colleagues to implement The Colorado Trust’s communications strategies and tactics. The senior communications manager is responsible for creating and/or managing public-facing Colorado Trust content, including on social media platforms; overseeing the content and editorial calendar for the foundation’s Collective Colorado story website; and providing first-line editorial support (including editing, proofreading and consultation) for all external and internal communications needs, including supporting colleagues in communicating about The Colorado Trust’s grantmaking initiatives. This position will generally work from The Colorado Trust office in Denver at least two days per week and remotely for the remainder.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation of communications strategies and tactics at the direction of the vice president of communications
• Serve as first-line editor for all written content for all external Colorado Trust materials
• Create social media content and manage day-to-day monitoring and posting to Colorado Trust social media channels; create recurring or prescheduled social media campaigns and content as needed
• Serve as the primary author of original written content for the foundation as directed by the vice president of communications, including email newsletters, social media posts, messaging and talking points, and more
• Work with the vice president of communications to provide internal and external communications capacity building, training and technical assistance to colleagues
• Work collaboratively with Grants & Impact Department staff to identify and implement communications opportunities for grantmaking initiatives
• Work collaboratively with the director of evaluation & learning and other evaluation staff to publish and disseminate evaluation findings to external audiences
• Assist the vice president of communications with maintaining positive relationships with members of the news media and serve as a backup spokesperson as directed
• Proactively encourage iteration and evolution for Colorado Trust content, as well as communications strategies and tactics
• Maintain the foundation’s style guide, updating as needed; serve as the primary liaison for staff questions regarding the style guide
• Interact with other foundations, nonprofit organizations, partners and stakeholders to represent The Colorado Trust and further its mission and vision
• Act as a point of contact for communications contractors as directed
• Participate in internal committees and teams as requested
• Travel occasionally (mostly within Colorado) as directed (4-6 times per year); may include nights and weekends
• Attend national conferences as directed, to represent The Colorado Trust and its Communications Department (1-2 times per year)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Six or more years of professional experience in communications, journalism or related field(s)
• Experience with professional writing and/or editing in English, including demonstrated knowledge of and proficiency with Associated Press style standards
• Experience managing social media accounts and channels at an organizational level, including campaign and post creation, post scheduling and more
• Ability to distill complex ideas into simple yet impactful communications, especially via social media and for diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in a timely manner and a variety of formats
• Proficiency with current and emerging technology, including Microsoft applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, SharePoint), the internet and mobile devices, and a willingness to follow organizational policies and team norms for remote communication platforms (e.g., Zoom), data management and project management
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with members of the news media
• Ability to work autonomously and independently supervise projects
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple competing deadlines
• Ability to maintain cooperative, supportive and amicable relationships with other Colorado Trust staff members
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with respect to the business and affairs of The Colorado Trust and those with whom it has relationships
• Ability to travel by car and plane (local, in-state, or out-of-state) for occasional required business trips (may include overnight trips)
• Reliable transportation, proof of valid Colorado driver’s license, adequate automobile liability insurance coverage, and the ability to drive periodically for organizational business (unless an accommodation has been requested and approved)
• Ability to work from The Colorado Trust’s Denver office at least twice a week and as needed for events.

Desired

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism or related field
• Knowledge of or familiarity with the Colorado health equity landscape and/or philanthropic sector
• Proficiency in Spanish (both written and oral).

Personal Attributes

• Passion for and commitment to The Colorado Trust’s health equity vision and its mission of advancing the health and well-being of the people of Colorado
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds, especially across race, ethnicity, gender and class
• Ability to represent The Colorado Trust in public and community settings and communicate effectively with grantees, partners and other stakeholders
• Commitment to issues of community, diversity, equity, integrity and fairness
• Highly organized and able to coordinate and complete multiple, simultaneous assignments across different teams
• Comfort serving collaborative teams of colleagues both on-site and remotely
• Action-oriented, self-starter who can work well independently and in teams
• Comfort creating and adhering to organized systems within flexible and dynamic community environments.

Supervisor Relationship

The person designated to supervise the senior communications manager is the vice president of communications.

Compensation

$120,000 – $137,500 annually, with a schedule of 40 hours per week. This is a full-time, exempt position. The Colorado Trust offers its employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including medical, vision and dental insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance and paid time off.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

All Colorado Trust employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and provide documentation to this effect. Employees must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks from their first day of employment at The Colorado Trust. Exemptions to this requirement due to medical reasons or religious beliefs will be considered under our Reasonable Accommodation policy.

To Apply

Please apply via The Colorado Trust’s online application system. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but priority consideration will be given to those received by 5 p.m. MST on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

The Colorado Trust seeks talented, team-oriented individuals who are dedicated to our mission of advancing the health and well-being of the people of Colorado. Additionally, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome a diversity of perspectives.