Digital Communications Officer

Job Details

Description

Organization

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (“Helmsley”) is a global philanthropy driven by a vision of building better futures for people by increasing access to healthcare, advancing new research and ideas, and improving the quality of everyday life. Helmsley strives to make a meaningful impact in its focus areas, matching its significant financial assets with a rigorous and results-oriented approach. Helmsley is committed to close and productive partnerships with its grantees, as well as with other funders and impact players in government, academia, and the private sector who share its interests and goals. Above all, Helmsley endeavors to be forward-thinking in every aspect of its work and will take risks that others cannot or will not take when the risk/reward trade-off warrants.

Since 2008, when Helmsley began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $4.5 billion. For more information on Helmsley, please visit https://helmsleytrust.org/.

Position Summary

The Digital Communications Officer will play a key role in helping to advance Helmsley’s work and leadership. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the successful candidate will drive organic social media and web content strategy, create multimedia content and set the cross-platform strategies, performance metrics, and desired outcomes that support Helmsley’s overall messaging. They will have a strong understanding of SEO best practices and be adept at using analytics to inform content decisions.

The position requires a proactive, strategic, creative, and detail-oriented team player with a client service mindset. The successful candidate will be a results-focused individual with confidence, curiosity, and humility to ask questions, seek clarity when necessary, and share ideas. Candidates should showcase proven abilities to work across various fields and think strategically about various program and communication issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Helmsley’s communication strategy, including leading the creation of multimedia content that reflects and advances Helmsley’s mission.
• Monitor and analyze content performance, traffic and engagement to continuously improve our content strategy.
• Monitor and report on content and platform performance using analytics tools such as Piwik and Sprout Social. Develop recurring reports and dashboards to assess performance.
• Lead content strategy to support key initiatives with exceptional writing and content development skills.
• Create and maintain an editorial calendar to review content regularly and ensure the accuracy of content displayed on the foundation’s channels.
• Stay ahead of trends, platforms, and best practices to keep our strategies innovative and effective.
• Serve as point of contact for key vendors.
• Collaborate across teams at Helmsley and partner organizations from each program area.
• Represent Helmsley in a polished and professional manner at all times.

Web

• Create high-quality and engaging content for the foundation’s website; optimize content for search engines, including title tags, meta descriptions, and on-page content.
• Partner with the Grants Management team on enhancements to the website’s grants database.

Social Media

• Establish the strategy, tone, and content approach across each social media channel.
• Define annual objectives for social media channels and a measurement plan.
• Develop and implement innovative social media strategies to increase brand awareness, grow audience, and drive engagement.
• Collaborate with the team to create content that amplifies the work being done across all six program areas.
• Analyze social media and other communications data to evaluate and improve communications initiatives and strategies.
• Manage and execute social storytelling projects from end to end.

Graphics and Multimedia Content

• Help source, license, and manage photos and videos.
• Create design and multimedia assets to support campaigns, including graphics, photos, and short videos from start to finish.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or related subject preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in a digital communications role.
• Passion for mission driven work.
• Agency experience is a plus.
• Expertise in content creation, audience engagement, and storytelling for digital platforms.
• Exceptional working knowledge of all contemporary social media platforms and web tools, including but not limited to WordPress, Facebook, Instagram/Reels/Threads, X, TikTok, BlueSky, YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Sprout Social, Piwik, and other third-party tools.
• Strong understanding of SEO best practices and ability to optimize website content for search engines.
• Demonstrated creativity in content creation and storytelling for social media channels.
• Photo and video production experience and familiarity with editing and creator tools for social platforms.
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or other graphics design software.
• Exceptional analytical skills with proficiency in leveraging data to drive strategic decisions and measure success.
• Experience managing content for a global audience, a plus.
• Strong writing skills pertaining to digital marketing content.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders while considering cultural nuances and preferences, including partner organizations and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and strong work ethic.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously while delivering high-quality results.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable when priorities shift.

Salary, Health, Well-being, and Living Our Mission

Helmsley is dedicated to creating stronger, healthier futures for communities in the U.S. and around the world. Helmsley colleagues are intelligent, creative, forward thinking, and strongly committed to working productively with each other and with our grantee partners. Each was drawn to Helmsley by the same opportunity: to help build this young organization into a leading global charitable institution that will drive meaningful and measurable positive change in lives throughout the U.S. and around the world for years to come.

Helmsley is committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation commensurate with experience. The targeted starting salary range for this position is $146,000 – $157,000.

Comprehensive benefits currently offered to employees (subject to change) include:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families
• Generous 401(k) employer contribution
• Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)
• 23+ paid vacation and sick days
• 13+ paid holidays
• End of year office closure
• Summer Fridays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Personal and team professional development opportunities

Application Information

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format) to the posting listed on the Helmsley Career Page. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact [email protected].

The position is based at Helmsley’s main office in New York City. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

All persons hired must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Helmsley will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Except when working remotely as permitted by Helmsley’s temporary hybrid work policy, the ability to work and collaborate in person with colleagues at Helmsley’s office is an essential function of this job.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Helmsley provides equal employment and promotional opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.