Communications Manager

Urban Land Conservancy; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Urban Land Conservancy seeks a Communications Manager to lead content creation and support fundraising, special projects, and events. The role collaborates with the Impact and Engagement team and manages ULC’s day-to-day digital presence.

You will own the social media strategy across LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, publish newsletters, and help maintain urbanlandc.org while coordinating with vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Minimum four years of relevant communications experience (six preferred).
• Experience in nonprofit, housing, or real estate context is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute ULC’s communications program through content creation and support for fundraising, projects, and events.
• Collaborate with the Impact and Engagement team; manage day-to-day digital presence.
• Own social media strategy across LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook; engage with online audiences.

Skills

Storytelling

Brand journalism

Social media

Content creation

Video editing

WordPress

Newsletter

Adobe Creative Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field

Tools

WordPress

SharePoint

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Constant Contact

Job description

The Communications Manager is responsible for managing and executing Urban Land Conservancy’s (ULC) communications program through content creation and by supporting ULC’s fundraising efforts, special projects, and events.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Communications Manager works collaboratively as an integral part of ULC’s broader Impact and Engagement team, and also works independently to manage ULC’s day-to-day digital presence. The role performs a wide range of duties including, but not limited to:

Storytelling and Brand Journalism

• Identify compelling human stories and create content featuring the people, organizations and places in ULC’s network.
• Plan, develop, produce, and publish multimedia content that includes photography, short-form videos, reels, stories, etc.
• Research, interview and write stories for ULC’s online newsroom.
• Serve as ULC’s social media manager. Own and execute the overall social media strategy, tactics, and brand voice across LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Respond to comments and foster online engagement.
• Plan, write, lay out and publish ULC’s digital newsletter (Constant Contact).

Communications Program Management

• Provide strategic and tactical support to ULC staff to ensure all external communications align with ULC’s strategic communications and marketing plan.
• Plan, manage and execute an editorial calendar for publishing content across multiple ULC channels — on time and on brand.
• Serve as ULC’s brand manager; support the organization’s fidelity to brand guidelines across ULC properties, collateral, signage, documents, web, social and partner platforms.
• Manage and organize a library of multimedia assets using Microsoft SharePoint and other apps.
• Work with marketing agency to manage back end of ULC’s WordPress website.
• Manage ULC’s presence on third-party sites like Google Business, Google Maps, etc.

General Communications and Marketing

• Create flyers, infographics, reports, signage, and other print and online materials, working closely with ULC’s marketing agency.
• Support ULC’s thought leadership and fundraising efforts by creating presentations and slide decks for use at special events, conferences and funder meetings.
• Maintain and update web content at urbanlandc.org.
• Provide marketing support for the leasing of ULC’s commercial spaces.
• Assist with event planning and execution, such as annual impact event, groundbreakings, etc.
• Work with vendors including marketing agency, print shop, photographers, etc., to manage project scopes, budgets, billing, and contract execution.
• When applicable, supervise (or support the supervision of) an intern.

Community and Partner Engagement

• Foster strong relationships with key partners, including: nonprofits that operate in ULC places; ULC’s third-party affordable-housing property managers; and marcomm counterparts in local government, foundations, service providers, advocacy groups, and other relevant organizations.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current issues and local politics in Colorado — especially in Denver-area communities — regarding affordable housing, real estate development, land use, anti-displacement strategies, etc.
• On occasion, represent ULC at community events such as festivals and fundraisers.

A successful candidate will demonstrate competency in the following through education, work history, or life experience:

• Strong understanding of best practices in social media and content creation. Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with attention to detail and accuracy. Preference for a journalism degree or journalism background.
• Creativity, problem-solving and strategic thinking; ability to work independently to conceptualize, source, and produce stories.
• Strong instincts for messaging, tone and approach for addressing politically sensitive or personal matters such as housing insecurity.
• Experience and skill using the Microsoft Office suite; Adobe Creative Suite; Canva; WordPress or equivalent web content management system; and Constant Contact or equivalent email marketing platform.
• Experience in photography, videography, and associated editing tools/apps.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to effectively engage with colleagues of all levels of this organization and others.
• Great project management skills, including time management, goal-setting, multitasking and prioritization.
• Fluency writing and speaking Spanish is beneficial.
• Ability to be flexible and manage competing and changing priorities.Ability to maintain organizational confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Alignment with ULC values concerning the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and ULC’s commitment to maintain an anti-racist workplace.
• Alignment with ULC values concerning the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Primarily physical work: Regularly required to sit for extended periods, use a computer, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Occasional physical activity: May require occasional standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting/carrying items up to 25 pounds.
• Visual acuity: Must have close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus to read documents, analyze data, and use a computer.
• Travel: Frequent travel between properties within the Denver Metro area is required. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and be insurable.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Primarily office setting: The majority of work is performed in a typical office environment.
• Regular site visits: Regular travel to properties and events within the Denver Metro area is required, involving exposure to various indoor and outdoor environments, including:
  • Building interiors (offices, common areas, mechanical rooms)
  • Construction sites
  • Outdoor areas (parking lots, grounds)
• Potential hazards: May occasionally encounter moving mechanical parts, electrical hazards, heights, and potentially hazardous materials during site visits. Appropriate safety precautions and training will be provided.
• Noise levels: Noise levels can vary from quiet office environments to moderate noise levels during site visits or construction activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those who have gained relevant skills through non-traditional pathways such as on-the-job training, self-study, or community involvement.

REQUIRED:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum four years of relevant experience in the duties and KSAVs listed above, six preferred.
  • Experience in nonprofit, affordable housing, real estate development, or city planning a plus.
• Other: Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under ULC’s auto insurance policy, ability to satisfactorily pass a criminal background check.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

ULC offers the following compensation and benefits:

• Salary: The salary range for this position is $70,000 – $85,000 per year, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated skills.
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time, 37.5-hour per week position with options for flexible or alternative work schedules, subject to operational needs and management approval. Standard hybrid schedule includes three days in the office (Denver) per week.
• Pay Frequency: Employees are paid bi-weekly.
• Benefits: ULC provides a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Health Insurance: Three medical plan options are available, with employee contributions toward premiums.
• Dental and Vision Insurance: 100% employer-paid premiums for employee coverage.
• Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Employer-provided coverage.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) retirement plan available after six months of employment with a generous 7% employer contribution (no employee match required).
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrued PTO available for vacation, sick leave, and personal time.
• Paid Holidays: Eleven (11) paid holidays per year.

WHAT WE OFFER

At ULC, we’re passionate about creating a thriving community. We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment where you can make a real difference. You’ll have the opportunity to work on challenging and rewarding projects alongside a talented and dedicated team. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, we offer:

• Opportunities for professional development
• A commitment to sustainability
• A positive and inclusive company culture

DISCLAIMER

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

At Urban Land Conservancy, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Urban Land Conservancy believes that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and all employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling our commitment to equal employment opportunity.