Communications Manager

# American Choral Directors Association
## Communications Manager

**About Us**
Founded in 1959, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is the nation’s leading professional choral membership organization for choral conductors, choral music educators, composers, singers, researchers, and students. Our mission is to inspire and support excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, research, and advocacy while fostering meaningful connections among those who enrich lives through singing.

Today, ACDA serves more than 13,000 members across all 50 states and around the world through a vibrant network of volunteer national, regional, and state leaders. As a member‑driven association, we provide professional development, publications, conferences, research, leadership opportunities, advocacy, networking, and educational resources that support conductors and choral professionals at every stage of their careers. Through the work of our members, volunteer leaders, and staff, ACDA’s impact extends to more than one million singers each year in schools, places of worship, community ensembles, and professional choirs.

As a $5 million nonprofit organization, ACDA is committed to strengthening the choral profession while cultivating an inclusive community where all individuals are welcomed, valued, and empowered to participate. The Communications Manager will play a vital role in telling that story, connecting our members to the resources and opportunities that support their work, and amplifying the collective impact of choral music across the country.

**About this Role**
The Communications Manager is a new role and will serve as ACDA’s communications strategist and storyteller. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position develops and implements integrated communications and public relations initiatives that advance ACDA’s mission, strengthen member engagement, support conferences and events, and elevate the visibility of choral music.

Working collaboratively with national, regional, and state leadership, the Communications Manager provides strategic communications support, tools, resources, and consultation that enhance the efforts of ACDA’s dedicated staff and volunteer leaders. This position is designed to empower and support staff and volunteers by creating communications systems, templates, and advising on best practices for messaging and engagement across the organization.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, storyteller, visual communicator, and strategic communicator who can effectively engage members, donors, volunteers, partners, and the broader ACDA community while managing communications across multiple platforms and audiences. Because ACDA is a member‑driven association, success in this role depends on the ability to collaborate effectively with volunteer leaders, build consensus, and provide communications support that amplifies the work of others.

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## Essential Duties and Responsibilities

### Strategic Communications and Marketing
– Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with ACDA’s mission and strategic priorities.
– Use data and performance metrics to evaluate communication effectiveness, inform strategy, and continuously improve member engagement and marketing performance.
– Establish and maintain consistent messaging, branding, and communication standards across the organization.
– Collaborate with staff, volunteer leaders, and committees to promote programs, conferences, educational initiatives, advocacy efforts, and member benefits.
– Assist in developing and executing communications related to sensitive organizational issues, crisis situations, and reputation management.
– Serve as a communications advisor to the Executive Director and organizational leadership.

### Regional and State Chapter Support
– Partner with leaders of ACDA’s regions and state chapters to strengthen communications efforts and promote organizational alignment.
– Develop communication toolkits, templates, brand standards, and best‑practice resources for volunteer leaders.
– Provide consultation and strategic guidance regarding conference promotion, member communications, and audience engagement.
– Support volunteer communications efforts while respecting and enhancing local leadership and creativity.

### Conference and Event Communications
– Develop communications and marketing plans for national conferences and events.
– Support regional and state conference communications strategies and promotional efforts.
– Manage conference‑related messaging across digital platforms.
– Collaborate with conference leadership regarding promotional timelines, attendee communications, and engagement strategies.
– Assist with conference applications, event platforms, and conference mobile applications as needed.

### Content Development
– Develop and manage annual communications calendars coordinating organizational priorities, conference promotion, publications, fundraising, membership campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.
– Write, edit, and distribute organizational communications, including newsletters, announcements, donor communications, website content, press releases, and marketing materials.
– Develop compelling stories that highlight member achievements, organizational impact, and advocacy efforts.
– Ensure consistency in voice, tone, and messaging across all communication channels.

### Digital Communications
– Manage and maintain ACDA’s website and digital communication platforms with the support of the IT Project Manager.
– Develop and oversee email marketing campaigns and member communications.
– Utilize CRM systems and communication technologies to improve member engagement and organizational effectiveness.
– Evaluate and appropriately leverage emerging communications technologies, including AI‑assisted content development, automation, and digital engagement tools while maintaining ACDA’s artistic and editorial standards and voice.
– Create and disseminate the weekly association e‑newsletter.

### Social Media and Public Relations
– Lead ACDA’s social media strategy and content development.
– Develop campaigns that increase engagement, membership awareness, and organizational visibility.
– Coordinate media relations and public‑facing communications.
– Identify opportunities to strengthen ACDA’s presence within the arts, education, nonprofit, and music communities.

### Membership & Development Communications
– Collaborate with development staff and leadership to support fundraising, donor stewardship, and planned giving initiatives.
– Create donor‑facing communications and campaign materials.
– Communicate the impact of charitable giving and philanthropic support.
– Develop membership campaign materials to increase new membership and recapture lapsed members.

### Design and Creative Services
– Design digital and print communications materials consistent with ACDA branding.
– Create graphics and visual assets for newsletters, websites, social media, conferences, and marketing campaigns.
– Maintain and evolve organizational brand standards.
– Collect and organize conference assets so that all team members have ease of access.

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## Measures of Success
Success in this role includes:
– Increasing member engagement across communication channels.
– Providing responsive, high‑quality communications support to staff and volunteer leaders.
– Delivering strategic communications that support membership growth, conference participation, and philanthropic giving.
– Building systems and resources that make communication easier and more effective across the organization.

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## Qualifications

### Required Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business, or a related field.
– Three or more years of professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or related work.
– Outstanding writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
– Experience managing websites, email marketing platforms, CRM systems, and social media accounts.
– Strong design and visual communication skills.
– Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a remote environment.
– Excellent project management and organizational skills.

### Preferred Qualifications
– Experience working within a nonprofit association, membership organization, arts organization, or educational institution.
– Experience supporting volunteer‑led organizations or member/chapter‑based structures.
– Familiarity with conference management systems, mobile event applications, and member engagement platforms.
– Knowledge of fundraising and donor communications.
– Knowledge of music education, performing arts, or arts advocacy.

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## Work Environment and Travel
– This is a fully remote position. Candidates may reside anywhere within the United States. Regular business hours are 8am–5pm Central Time, Monday–Friday, with occasional weekend work during busy seasons.
– Occasional travel is required to support conferences, organizational meetings, and other ACDA‑related events. Travel is expected to be limited but may include several trips annually.
– The next travel opportunity is the **2027 National Conference in Minneapolis, MN**, scheduled for **March 7–9, 2027**.

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## ACDA Systems & Information
ACDA currently utilizes the following applications (preferred but not required):
– WordPress
– Adobe products
– Canva
– Mailchimp
– Fonteva/Salesforce (AMS system)
– Asana
– Microsoft Office Suite
– Google Workspace

Examples of current communications platforms:
– ACDA.org (primary website)
– ChoralNet.org (global choral networking hub)
– Weekly e‑newsletter (example: August 5, 2026 edition)

ACDA publishes the *Choral Journal* (print) and the *International Journal of Research in Choral Singing* (online). The Communications Manager may occasionally support content or asset collection but is not responsible for publication management.

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## Supervision
– Reports directly to the Executive Director.
– Exempt position.
– No direct supervisory responsibilities; may supervise interns or project‑based personnel as needed.

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## Compensation
– Salary range: **$60–$65K per year**.
– Employer retirement contribution: **9%**, no employee match required.
– Fully paid Medical, Vision, Dental, and Long‑term Disability insurance.
– Generous PTO: **17 days in the first year**, increasing with tenure.

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## To Apply
Visit **[www.acda.org/careers]** to submit:
– PDF cover letter
– PDF resume
– Three to six work samples with brief explanatory narratives

Deadline: **September 1, 2026**.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
ACDA does not use AI screening tools; all applications are reviewed by the hiring committee.

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## We Encourage You to Apply
Research shows that many talented candidates hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. If you are excited about this opportunity and believe you could be successful, we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not perfectly align. Address any gaps in your cover letter. ACDA values diverse experiences, perspectives, and transferable skills.

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## Equal Employment Opportunity
ACDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need without regard to protected characteristics. Diverse perspectives strengthen our organization and enrich our work.

For questions, email **[email protected]**.
Please do not call or email ACDA staff directly regarding this posting.