Communications Director, The Leeway Foundation, Philadelphia, PA

Communications Director

Posted on: April 8, 2013
Application deadline: May 20, 2013
Posted by: The Leeway Foundation

DESCRIPTION

The Leeway Foundation is seeking an experienced, skilled, dynamic, mission-driven applicant for the position of Communications Director.

The Leeway Foundation is Philadelphia-based independent foundation that supports individual women and transgender artists working toward individual and community transformation. We envision a world where art is recognized as an essential part of the human experience; where it is employed and respected as a powerful catalyst for personal and social change; and where women and trans artists are honored as role models, mentors, and leaders.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Working closely with the program staff, the Communications Director plays a hands-on leadership role in creating communications strategy, developing education, community engagement and outreach programs, and utilizing both traditional and new media to convey effective public messages about Leeway. Additionally, they will set strategic annual communications goals, build synergies and leverage resources with other organizations, reach out to communities, and ensure the highest quality communication for the Foundation. This position reports to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Leadership

• Design and lead a communications program that increases the visibility of the Foundation and ensures consistency in core messaging across the organization while supporting the Foundation's mission and broad strategic goals.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with key individuals and peer organizations locally, regionally and nationally to increase awareness of the Foundation.
• Represent and serve as an advocate for art and change in key philanthropic and other networks to support the strategic goals of the Foundation.
• Work collaboratively to meet communications, community engagement and outreach needs of the organization.
• Supervise consultants/contractors, volunteers, interns or other staff, as appropriate.
• Participate in organizational strategic planning, board committee work, and staff retreats.

Communications

Work with Communications Assistant to maintain visible public presence of Leeway and its grantees, including effective representation and dissemination of information about Leeway's grants programs and mission.

• Oversee website development/maintenance and manage content for the website, e-newsletter, e-mail alerts, blogs, and social media, engaging and mobilizing grantees, community partners, and potential applicants with relevant and up-to-date information.
• Manage the development, editing, production and distribution of print materials including newsletters, artist books, brochures, one-sheets, gallery guides, postcards, and other publications.
• Coordinate hiring of photographers and/or videographers for publications, featured artist videos, and documentation of special events.
• Draft and edit press materials and work with local, regional and national press to maximize media coverage.
• Develop strategies for increasing Leeway's reputation and credibility as a media resource among key local, national, and international media.
• Manage communications projects within budget.

Outreach/Engagement

• Assist with public events, including taking the lead on events that are part of the Foundation's communications and community engagement strategies.
• Develop and execute events held at the Foundation (i.e., receptions, workshops, master classes, screenings and other art-sharing exhibitions).
• Liaise with community partner organizations and grantees to identify off-site engagement/outreach opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to increase the visibility of the Foundation and its programs including coordinating sponsorship and advertising of community partner and/or grantee events.
• Serve as primary exhibitions coordinator, liaising between artists, curators, installer, and venue.
• Oversee distribution of promotional materials related to events.
• Manage event expenses within budget.

QUALIFICATIONS

BA or BS degree, preferably in the arts, humanities, or a related field; or equivalent experience.

• Proven track record in communications with at least five years of experience in leading communications campaigns.
• A profound, sincere, and well-articulated commitment to social justice and to the preservation and enhancement of individual rights and civil liberties.
• Extensive writing and editing experience with a variety of print and on-line communications media, as well as experience working with media outlets at the national, regional, and local levels.
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with diverse audiences, including community leaders, elected officials, reporters and editors, coalition partners and the public.
• Experience creating materials such as press releases, newsletters, annual reports, brochures, quality educational presentations and handouts, and dynamic content for advocacy alerts, blogs, websites and social media.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral. Able to articulate sensitive legal and policy issues to the public in an accurate and accessible manner. Multilingual skills a plus.
• Superb organization skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong proficiency in current technology, including content management systems, web development, and graphic design programs.
• Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn and work with a team, and able to manage a demanding schedule, including some travel and occasional evening and weekend meetings and events.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3-5 years experience leading design, management, and evaluation of strategic programs.

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues facing artists, women, and transgender people is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and experience in philanthropy and grantmaking, preferably social justice or arts related. Experience in non-profits, social justice or arts organization a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to art and social change work and/or anti-oppression organizing that integrates race, gender, social and economic justice.
• Experience facilitating small and large groups.

SKILLS

• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Internet-savvy and skilled with technology, web 2.0 skills a plus.
• Experience with database software (e.g. FileMaker Pro or MS Access) preferred, but not required.
• Spanish language skills a plus.

Hours: 40 hours per week (On average; may work more hours around events, application deadlines and panel meetings. Some evenings and weekends.)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will only be accepted online

http://www.leeway.org/about-us/opportunities/commdir/commdirapp.html

Interested candidates should prepare:

• A one-page letter indicating interest in and qualifications for the position;
• A resume;
• Relevant work samples, if available (e.g., press releases, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, or published op-eds);
• A writing sample (maximum 1,500 words) that illustrates experience with and/or interest in art for social change; and
• Names of three professional references with contact information

No phone calls, please. All applications will be acknowledged.

Applications will be accepted until May 20, 2013.

The Leeway Foundation is committed to the principles of equal opportunity employment at every level without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, age, non-job related disability, or political affiliation.