Communications Specialist

Institute for Public Leadership; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute for Public Leadership in Omaha, NE, seeks a Communications Specialist to lead strategic communications and media relations for our organizations. You will develop messaging, manage digital content, and engage coalitions across immigration, behavioral health, and youth development initiatives.

You will train and coach staff and coalition leaders, coordinate internal communications, and track outcomes to improve impact and visibility statewide.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in creating and managing strategic communications and public awareness campaigns across multiple platforms.
• Knowledge of grassroots mobilization tactics as related to communications.
• Experience collaborating with coalition partners to develop coordinated messaging and graphics, including accessibility needs and language translation.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills; experience creating and delivering training in communications policies, best practices, platforms and tools.
• Experience managing data collection and content development for annual reports or research projects.
• Familiarity with Nebraska's nonprofit landscape and related campaigns is preferred.
• Strong writing and editing skills; experience in brand development or management.
• Commitment to anti-racism, racial equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategies that support organizational priorities, advocacy efforts, and community impact initiatives.
• Create and manage content across digital platforms, including social media, websites, newsletters, and other channels.
• Lead media relations efforts as the primary contact for media inquiries and manage proactive and reactive communications.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, community partners, coalition members, and key stakeholders.
• Provide communications support, training, and facilitation for coalitions and community initiatives.
• Develop messaging and educational materials to advance civic engagement, public awareness, advocacy, and policy priorities.
• Prepare and coach staff, board members, volunteers, and coalition leaders for media and public-facing opportunities.
• Oversee website content and ensure communications materials are accurate and timely.
• Coordinate internal communications related to strategic initiatives and events.
• Track communications outcomes and evaluate effectiveness for growth and improvement.
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure consistent messaging and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Storytelling

Public engagement

Coalition collaboration

Training & facilitation

Job description

Position Summary

The Communications Specialist serves as a key communications leader for our team. This role is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications initiatives that advance the mission, advocacy priorities, and community impact of both organizations. Working closely with the Executive Director, members, coalition partners, and other stakeholders, the Communications Specialist drives media relations, storytelling, messaging, and public engagement efforts that strengthen organizational visibility and influence.

In addition to leading communications strategy, the Communications Specialist provides training, facilitation, and communications support to collaborative coalitions focused on immigration, behavioral health, youth development, and other community priorities. The position serves as the primary media contact for our client, cultivating relationships with journalists and managing media outreach, press materials, and public messaging. This hybrid position is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and requires regular statewide travel, including occasional overnight stays, to engage with both rural and urban communities. The successful candidate will accurately track and maintain separate time and activity reporting for each organization while supporting their distinct missions and goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategies that support organizational priorities, advocacy efforts, and community impact initiatives.
• Create and manage content across digital platforms, including social media, websites, newsletters, and other communication channels.
• Lead media relations efforts, serving as the primary contact for media inquiries and managing proactive and reactive communications.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, community partners, coalition members, and key stakeholders.
• Provide communications support, training, and facilitation for coalitions and community-based initiatives.
• Develop messaging and educational materials that advance civic engagement, public awareness, advocacy, and policy priorities.
• Prepare and coach staff, board members, volunteers, and coalition leaders for media and public-facing opportunities.
• Oversee website content and ensure communications materials are accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Coordinate internal communications related to strategic initiatives, organizational updates, and key events.
• Track communications outcomes, evaluate effectiveness, and recommend opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to ensure consistent messaging, branding, and stakeholder engagement.

Job Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in creating and managing strategic communications and public awareness campaigns across multiple platforms including direct mail, paid and earned media, press events, social media, email & web platform management.
• Knowledge of grassroots mobilization tactics as related to communications, including rapid response issue advocacy, testimony and position statements, editorial writing, paid advertising and digital organizing.
• Experience collaborating with coalition partners to develop coordinated messaging and graphics,accounting for accessibility needs, language translation and other cultural considerations.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills; experience creating and delivering training in communications policies, best practices, platforms and tools, and media relations.
• Experience managing data collection, analysis, and content development for annual report and other research projects as needed for internal or external reporting.
• Familiarity with Nebraska's nonprofit landscape, including 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and related campaigns, preferred.
• Strong writing/editing skills.
• Experience in brand development and/or management.
• Commitment to anti-racism, racial equity, and inclusion; commitment to building power to transform the lives of everyday people, especially those who experience oppression.