Communications Manager

Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) seeks a Communications Manager to steward external communications and digital presence, translating priorities into compelling content and engaging Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. You’ll work with the VP of Network Strategy to execute strategic plans and drive member communications across channels.

The ideal candidate is an organized, creative writer who can manage multiple priorities, develop workflows, and carry projects from concept to

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in communications, marketing, digital media, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing with ability to create content for diverse audiences.
• Storytelling skills; adaptability of voice across channels.
• Social media management with analytics knowledge.
• Content creation including photography, videography, and design basics.
• Website management with CMS and basic HTML knowledge preferred.
• CRM experience including contact management and email distribution.
• Comfort providing direct member support and inquiries handling.
• Experience supporting media relations and press materials.
• Ability to juggle high volume work and meet deadlines with quality.

Responsibilities

• Execute communications and brand strategy under VP direction.
• Draft, edit, and disseminate newsletters, reports, social content, and print materials.
• Develop and manage a cross-channel communications calendar.
• Identify stories that demonstrate impact and elevate Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector.
• Maintain a consistent, authentic HANO voice across channels.
• Manage day-to-day digital presence: social, email, and website.
• Create and distribute digital content highlighting programs, members, partners.
• Develop templates, graphics, presentations, and other materials.
• Monitor digital engagement and use data to inform recommendations.
• Support media relations; draft press materials and coordinate inquiries.
• Support membership communications, onboarding, retention, and events.
• Manage CRM data, segmentation, email distribution, and data quality.
• Provide member support and troubleshoot access or benefits navigation.
• Develop member stories to showcase impact and strengthen network connections.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Storytelling

Social media

Content creation

Website management

CRM

Member support

Media relations

Project management

Tools

Canva

Adobe Creative Cloud

HTML

Job description

The Communications Manager at HANO is the day-to-day steward of our external communications and digital presence, executing strategic communications plans that amplify Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit sector and advance HANO’s mission. Working closely with the Vice President of Network Strategy, this position translates organizational priorities into compelling content, coordinated communications, and meaningful engagement with HANO’s diverse audiences. The Communications Manager oversees communications operations across digital, print, media, and member-facing channels, and plays an active role in membership communications and network engagement.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and communicator who is organized, creative, collaborative, and comfortable managing multiple priorities. We’re seeking a thoughtful executor and a proactive problem-solver who can take a strategic direction, develop an effective approach and workflow, and carry communications projects through from concept to completion.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content & Brand Execution

• Execute HANO’s communications and brand strategy under the direction of the Vice President of Network Strategy, translating organizational priorities into clear, compelling, and audience-centered communications.
• Draft, edit, and disseminate organizational communications, including newsletters, reports, social media, website content, and printed materials.
• Develop and manage an integrated communications calendar, coordinating messaging and content across HANO’s channels.
• Work across the HANO team to identify and develop stories that demonstrate HANO’s impact and elevate the contributions of Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit sector.
• Maintain a consistent, authentic, and engaging HANO voice and brand across audiences and communications channels.

Digital Communications

• Manage and maintain HANO’s day-to-day digital presence, including social media, email communications, and website content, ensuring information is current and relevant.
• Create, curate, and distribute digital content that advances HANO’s priorities and highlights its programs, advocacy, members, partners, and the broader nonprofit sector.
• Develop and maintain communications templates, graphics, presentations, and other digital and promotional materials.
• Monitor digital trends, audience engagement, and communications performance, using data and insights to strengthen content and inform recommendations.

Media Relations

• Support HANO’s media relations and external communications in coordination with the Vice President of Network Strategy and designated HANO spokespeople.
• Draft and coordinate press releases, media advisories, statements, op-eds, talking points, and other media materials.
• Monitor relevant coverage and identify opportunities to elevate HANO and Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit sector.
• Coordinate media inquiries and support preparation for interviews, public statements, and rapid-response or crisis communications.

Member Communications & Engagement

• Support the Vice President of Network Strategy in executing HANO’s membership and network engagement strategy through timely, relevant, and effective communications.
• Develop and coordinate member communications, including onboarding, retention, targeted outreach, and promotion of HANO’s programs, resources, advocacy, events, benefits, and network opportunities.
• Manage HANO’s member communications and data within the CRM, including contact records, audience segmentation, email distribution, contact preferences, templates, automated communications, list management, reporting, and data quality.
• Provide customer service functions for HANO members, including troubleshooting account access, benefits navigation, and general membership inquiries.
• Develop member stories and highlights that elevate the work and impact of HANO members and strengthen connection across the nonprofit network.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• 3-5 years of experience in communications, marketing, digital media, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills with demonstrated ability to create compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Exceptional storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt voice and message across channels and audiences.
• Social media management experience with knowledge of current platform best practices and analytics.
• Content creation abilities including basic photography, videography, and graphic design skills and familiarity with design tools (e.g., Canva and/or Adobe Creative Cloud).
• Website management experience with content management systems and basic HTML knowledge preferred.
• Experience with CRM platforms, including contact management, audience segmentation, and email distribution.
• Comfortable providing direct member support, including responding to inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and communicating with warmth and clarity.
• Experience supporting media relations, including drafting press materials and coordinating media inquiries.
• Manages a high volume of work with efficiency: able to juggle competing demands, prioritize without sacrificing quality, and plan backwards to meet deadlines.
• Detail-oriented approach with strong proofreading and quality control capabilities.
• Takes initiative and moves quickly from idea to implementation, leveraging available resources creatively and proposing solutions without waiting to be directed.
• Strong sense of ownership: plans ahead, finds alternative paths when needed, and holds a high bar even when things get hectic.
• Flexible and resilient, adapting quickly as priorities shift and bouncing back from setbacks.
• A continuous learner who absorbs information from colleagues and the field, asks questions until things make sense, and applies what they learn.
• Aligns with HANO’s Values in Practice, which honor collaboration, healthy dialogue, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Deep commitment to Hawaiʻi and to the mission of building a nonprofit sector that improves quality of life for everyone in our state.

ABOUT HANO

The Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) is a statewide membership organization that unites and strengthens nonprofits to collectively improve quality of life in Hawaiʻi. The organization’s legacy began in the early 1900s, evolving as a community support network before becoming HANO in 2006. Today, HANO serves as a vital hub for advocacy, learning, and connection for nonprofits, and also serves as the state member association to the National Council of Nonprofits. HANO is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

COMPENSATION

Salary range: $55,000-$75,000/year. Compensation will be dependent on experience that will be discussed and vetted throughout the interview process. HANO offers excellent benefits that include generous paid time off and holidays, flexible work hours, paid family and medical leave, professional and personal development opportunities, and medical, dental, and vision coverage.