Jobs

Communications Specialist

Position Description: 

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for the coordination and preparation of Communications and Marketing-related initiatives that support our goal of increasing brand awareness in the general public, stakeholders and and within the philanthropic community.  The Communications Specialist plays a central role in supporting and coordinating GEO’s core communications activities and strategies that advance the organization’s mission and priorities and increase visibility and awareness. This role requires a highly motivated person that will require skills in digital media, writing and editing, maintenance of web-based platforms, email marketing, graphic design, document design and layout. S/he is a self-starter, has a knack for keeping track of loose ends and can easily toggle between multiple projects. This position reports to the Director of Communications. Depending on interest and organizational need, this position may involve up to 10-15% travel.

Along with all members from the Communications and Marketing team, this position also supports the communications efforts of other departments in the organization. S/he will ensure proper usage and implementation of the organization’s branding guidelines and best practices. This position reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing. 

Key Responsibilities:

Content Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead the development of content and engagement strategies for GEO’s social media platforms and email newsletters.
• Develop drafts of talking points, speeches, blog posts, email copy and/or working with the appropriate staff member to develop content drafts.
• Help inform the overarching strategic communications strategy in partnership with the full communications team. 
• Provide writing and editing support to staff and partners.
• Work with teams across the organization on the development of communication plans and support execution, as needed for efforts including promotion, participant communications and project/program materials. 
• Oversee development of materials and manage edits/revisions process to ensure all appropriate staff have opportunity to offer feedback on communications plans, language and tactics.
• Collaborate with staff, external stakeholders and vendors to develop and execute communications strategies. 
• Coordinate with the membership/development team to produce membership communications and marketing collateral to execute recruitment and retention strategies.
• Participate in learning conversations with GEO colleagues, to get to shared understanding of how GEO’s peer learning offerings lead to impact in sector-wide increased knowledge and practice change.
• Support the development and execution of media and public relations strategies that increase the visibility and awareness of GEO.  
• Keep abreast of new trends in philanthropy as well as other related fields.

Team Participation and Planning 

• Support core communications activities, including keeping the organization’s web-based platforms (e.g., websites, blogs and social media) up-to-date, email marketing, graphic design, and document design and layout. 
• Provide administrative support (i.e. – scheduling and notetaking) for the communications committee.  
• Optimize communications team processes and procedures by helping to socialize new and existing tools and resources for staff in partnership with the communications manager and director. 
• Support and inform communications strategy through leading the management of analytics (collection and meaning-making) for GEO’s social media and other web-based platforms. 
• Support internal learning through providing substantive feedback on team and organizational activities, as well as sharing back learning from work throughout the year.  
• Coordinate across team to assist in the management and implementation of communications administrative tools and resources. 

• Contribute to the team’s short- and long-term planning and budgeting activities.  
• Contribute to creating a positive and equitable team culture and organization-wide culture. 
• Coordinate as needed with other colleagues on joint projects, and other duties as assigned. 
• Support GEO conferences and other events as needed; attend sector related events on GEO’s behalf.
• Support the program team’s knowledge management responsibilities by updating key constituent information and maintaining records of engagement with contacts within GEO’s Salesforce database and using the database to collect information that supports programming and other organizational goals.

Culture Transformation/Racial Equity 

• Help GEO make progress on our strategy, advance our change agenda and serve the field in the areas of culture, racial equity and organizational structure and talent.
• Engage and contribute to full and small group conversations around centering racial equity in GEO’s internal culture and external programming.
• Attend to results, relationships and process in all facets of work.

Interested applicants should apply on our jobs page at https://www.geofunders.org/about-us/jobs, a resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position. In your cover letter, please address the following:

• Why are you a good fit for this position?
• Tell us about your experience managing multiple communication channels.
• What are your greatest professional strengths and weaknesses?
• What appeals to you about working at GEO?

 We will accept applications until the position is filled.

 Note: Our team is currently full-time remote in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For the time being, we will be conducting the hiring process virtually.

 Salary and Benefits

GEO offers a competitive salary starting at $64k and a generous benefits package, including 100 percent employer paid health insurance, three weeks of vacation, twelve sick days, a 7 percent employer retirement contribution, a commitment to professional development and growth, along with a Metro accessible location in downtown D.C.

Job posted: 2023-01-21