Communications Associate

Cleveland Canvass; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on training

Mentorship program

Job summary

Cleveland Canvass in Cleveland, OH is hiring Communications Associates for in-person outreach across the Greater Cleveland area. You’ll start conversations with the public, explain the campaign, answer questions, and help supporters sign up to contribute.

The role emphasizes live conversations over digital work, with hands-on training and opportunities to advance into leadership roles as you perform and develop.

Qualifications

• No prior fundraising or sales background required.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Willingness to engage with the public in-person.

Responsibilities

• Initiate conversations with the public at public-facing locations in Greater Cleveland.
• Explain what the campaign and organisation do and answer questions.
• Help interested supporters sign up to contribute.
• Engage in live, in-person conversations as the core of the role.

Skills

Public speaking

Retail experience

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Most people need a conversation, not a campaign, before they decide to support a cause. That's the work our Communications Associates do, on behalf of nonprofit organisations, across Greater Cleveland.

We're hiring to add new associates to the team!

What the work actually involves

You'll communicate on behalf of a nonprofit campaign at public-facing locations in the Greater Cleveland area.

Day to day, that means starting conversations with members of the public, explaining what your assigned organisation does, answering the questions people have, and helping interested supporters sign up to contribute.

It's in-person communication. Not remote, not digital, not writing press releases from a desk. The live conversation is the point of the job.

Who tends to do well here?

• People who are comfortable talking to strangers, or willing to get there with practice
• Experience in retail, hospitality, customer service or any public-facing role transfers well
• No prior fundraising or sales background required. We train for the specifics.

What you'll learn

Training is hands-on. New associates shadow experienced colleagues, work through the campaign materials, practice conversations with coaching, and keep getting feedback once they're running their own interactions. The skills built along the way, including clear communication, active listening, handling questions, and working toward measurable goals, carry into any public-facing or leadership role for a long time afterwards.

Where it can lead

Associates who perform consistently and want more responsibility have a credible route forward:

• Build a strong track record on the campaign
• Start supporting and coaching newer teammates
• Move into team-leadership or campaign-management responsibilities as opportunities open

Progression depends on your results and your development. But we promote from within, and the pathway is real.

The practical details

• Full-time, on-site, based in the Greater Cleveland area
• Weekly base pay plus performance-based incentives
• Hands-on training and ongoing mentorship from experienced team members