Communications Manager

### Are you passionate about early childhood education, storytelling, and empowering family child care educators?

Are you a self-starter ready for a fast-paced position in a start-up environment? Do you have a Growth Mindset?

If this sounds like you, the Communications Manager role at the National Association for Family Child Care could be a great fit for you.

### Who We Are

The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is a trailblazing non-profit organization committed to propelling the cause of high-level family child care to new heights. Our tireless efforts are dedicated to advancing the field of family child care through education, advocacy, and unwavering support, empowering educators and promoting best practices that enrich the lives of children and their families.

NAFCC stands tall as the foremost national organization committed to advancing the cause of high-level home-based child care, providing a supportive and vibrant community for family child care educators nationwide.

NAFCC champions the interests of the family child care profession at the national level, serving as a powerful and persuasive voice that amplifies the concerns and aspirations of family child care educators. We empower our members with a rich array of resources, comprehensive training, and prestigious accreditation, enabling them to deliver unparalleled care and education to the children in their communities.

At NAFCC, we passionately believe that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves a bright and fulfilling future. We are on a mission to make high-quality early childhood education accessible to every child, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond.

### What We Can Achieve Together

NAFCC’s Communications Manager will be expected to support the creation and implementation of an external communications program that helps to promote NAFCC and the work we are doing for family child care educators. The goal is to enhance visibility, foster positive public perception, and ultimately advance NAFCC’s mission to elevate the standards of family child care education, advocate for the needs of educators, and contribute to the overall improvement of early childhood education nationwide.

The role will report to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Market Solutions and provide communications support to the core areas of membership, accreditation, professional development, and policy.

### Education and Work Requirements

– Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing preferred
– Will consider strong communications and marketing experience in lieu of degree requirements
– Family Child Care Experience preferred as an educator or practitioner in the field
– 3-5 years of experience in communications, Digital Marketing, PR, and SEO Strategies

### Communications Manager Essential Skills

#### General
– A belief in NAFCC’s mission of engaging, developing, and supporting family child care educators and the communities they serve
– Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and social media background
– Superb organization and planning skills
– Superior time management and project management skills
– Creativity
– Understanding of current trends in digital and social media
– Understanding of current policies impacting early childhood education
– Self-motivated with a positive approach to receiving feedback

#### Growth Mindset
– Demonstrated ability to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning
– Proven track record of adapting to evolving industry trends and technologies
– Willingness to explore and implement innovative communication strategies for organizational advancement

#### Creative Collaborator
– Strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with cross-functional teams
– Proven ability to generate and implement out-of-the-box ideas that enhance brand messaging

#### Innovative and Forward-Thinking
– Strategic thinking with a focus on anticipating and adapting to market changes
– Ability to develop and execute forward-thinking communication strategies
– Stay abreast of industry trends and incorporate cutting-edge approaches into communication plans

#### Analytical Aptitude
– Data-driven approach to decision-making and campaign evaluation using Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
– Proficient in using analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of communication efforts
– Capacity to derive insights and recommendations from data analysis

#### Problem-Solving Skills
– Proactive approach to identifying and resolving communication challenges
– Ability to think critically and find innovative solutions to communication issues
– Resilience and composure in managing crisis communication situations

### Roles and Responsibilities of Communications Manager

– Develop and implement a comprehensive annual communications plan that will serve as the roadmap for external NAFCC outreach, communications, and engagement
– Support the development of all internal and external communications for NAFCC, ensuring our message is consistent, engaging, and educational
– Ensure consistency, engagement, and educational value across all internal and external communications
– Produce high-quality written content, including but not limited to articles, press releases, newsletters, and social media posts. Edit and proofread content to maintain accuracy and professionalism
– Develop, edit, and review compelling content across organizational teams and departments
– Develop and implement effective communication strategies that establish NAFCC as the preeminent thought leader and trusted resource for family child care and educators, and raise NAFCC’s brand awareness among FCC educators, advocates, and other stakeholders in the industry
– Establish NAFCC as a leading authority and trusted resource in family child care education. Elevate brand awareness among educators, advocates, and industry stakeholders
– Safeguard and enhance NAFCC’s brand identity through consistent messaging, visual aesthetics, and tone of voice across all communication platforms. Monitor brand perception and address any discrepancies or challenges
– Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including family child care educators, policymakers, partner organizations, and the media. Facilitate meaningful engagement through various communication channels
– Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries and cultivate positive relationships with journalists and media outlets. Proactively seek opportunities for media coverage to amplify NAFCC’s message and impact
– Develop and implement strategies for managing communication during crisis situations or sensitive issues. Provide timely and accurate information to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and maintaining trust in NAFCC’s integrity
– Utilize data analytics tools to track and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns. Gather insights to inform future initiatives and optimize engagement with target audiences
– Collaborate across functional teams and departments to promote NAFCC events, conferences, and workshops through strategic communication efforts. Develop promotional materials, manage event-related communications, and maximize attendance and participation
– Facilitate effective communication within the organization by disseminating important updates, announcements, and initiatives to staff, board members, and volunteers. Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and engagement
– Work closely with the Advocacy team to align communication efforts with advocacy goals and priorities. Amplify advocacy messages and mobilize supporters to take action on relevant policy issues impacting family child care educators
– Stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in family child care and communication and public relations. Continuously assess and refine communication strategies to adapt to evolving needs and maximize impact.

Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume to Zakenya P. Neely, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Market Solutions at [email protected] on or before September 30, 2024.