DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION

Partner4Work; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Partner4Work in Pittsburgh seeks a Director of Communications to lead the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies that bolster the organization’s credibility, promote its goals, and engage key stakeholders.

You will oversee media relations, digital content, public relations, and community outreach, working closely with the CEO, COO, and senior leaders to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with the board’s mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications preferred; experience in non-profit or for-profit communications considered.
• Minimum of 5-7 years in communications/public relations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in strategic communication planning and execution.
• Experience in workforce development or related sectors is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes a strategic communication plan aligned with organizational goals.
• Identifies key messages and audiences; plans content for annual reports and outreach materials.
• Monitors effectiveness of communication strategies and adjusts to meet goals.
• Leads the organization’s media relations and external communications efforts.
• Oversees digital presence, including website, social media, and newsletters.
• Manages internal communications and staff development; supervises staff? and external vendors.

Skills

Written communication

Media relations

Project management

Leadership

Cross-department collaboration

Analytics

CMS & G-Suite

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications

Tools

Canva

Adobe

Job description

Location: 650 Smithfield Street, Suite 2600, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Partner4Work values diversity and is committed to building a team that reflects the rich variety of people and perspectives in our region. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing fair and inclusive employment opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, culture, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

About Us

As the leader of Pittsburgh/Allegheny County’s public workforce system, Partner4Work works to ensure that the current and future needs of businesses and job seekers are met. Through innovative initiatives and programs spanning every facet of the workforce, Partner4Work bridges the gap between people looking for work and companies in need of talent.

For our own workforce, we seek out individuals who exemplify our core values by being:

• - Committed to excellence and measurable impact
• - Drivers of continuous and purposeful innovation and improvement
• - Inclusive of other’s perspectives and talents
• - Leaders of utmost integrity
• - Passionate and enthusiastic about the systems level work behind workforce development

About This Position

This Director of Communications is an essential team member responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies that enhance the organization’s credibility, promote its strategies, and engage key stakeholders. This individual will oversee all internal and external communications, including media relations, digital content, public relations, and
community outreach efforts. The Director of Communications will work closely with the CEO, COO, and other senior leaders to ensure alignment with the board's mission and strategic objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• - Develops and implements a strategic communication plan that aligns with the organization's goals and objectives. Collaborates with departments regularly to plan and implement communication tactics.
• - Identifies key messages and target audiences, ensuring consistent and effective communication across all channels. Plans, creates, and manages compelling content for annual reports, briefing books, and other outreach materials.
• - Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of communication strategies, adjusting as necessary to meet organizational goals.
• - Develops monthly editorial calendars and activity reports.
• - Leads the planning and execution of communications events.
• - Leads and develops communications staff members ensuring the team has access to growth opportunities.
• - Manages relationships with external vendors, including graphic designers, writers, and printers, as needed.

Media Relations

• - Serve as a primary spokesperson for the organization, managing all media inquiries and ensuring accurate and timely responses.
• - Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• - Develop and distribute press releases, media advisories, and other materials to generate positive media coverage.

Social Media and Electronic Media Management

• - Oversees the organization's digital presence, including website content, social media platforms, and email newsletters.
• - Develops and implements digital marketing strategies to increase engagement and reach.
• - Analyzes and reports on digital metrics to inform future communication efforts.
• - Oversees and manages social media presence and reputation.

Events

• - Leads public relations efforts to promote the organization’s programs, initiatives, and events.
• - Cultivates relationships with community leaders, partners, and stakeholders to enhance the organization’s visibility and influence.
• - Coordinates and manages events to engage elected officials, the board, and stakeholders.

Internal Communications

• - Ensure clear and effective communication within the organization, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• - Develop and distribute internal newsletters, memos, and other communication materials to keep staff informed and engaged.
• - Support the CEO and senior leadership team in communicating key messages.
• - Develops internal communications portfolio, including quick development of one pagers and short summaries of new and emerging programs.

Supervisory

• - The Director of Communications supervises and is supported by the Senior Manager of Digital Strategy.

Education and Experience

• - Bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, etc. preferred; a combination of education and related experience in non-profit or for-profit communications will be considered.
• - Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related role, with at least 3 years in a leadership position.
• - Proven experience in strategic communication planning and execution.
• - Experience in workforce development or related sectors is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages for diverse audiences;
• - Strong media relations skills and experience managing digital and social media platforms;
• - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• - Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others;
• - Ability to present complex information to varied stakeholders in a compelling and visually appealing way;
• - Strong ability to work cross-departmentally on simultaneously-running communication projects;
• - Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask, effectively prioritize, and collaborate internally and externally;
• - Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), G-Suite, Content Management Systems, and Google Analytics;
• - Knowledge of social media scheduling tools (Hootsuite, PostPlanner, Buffer, etc) and design software (Canva, Adobe); and
• - Experience with technologies and best practices for outreach campaigns across multiple platforms.

ADA Requirements

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 accommodation may be used to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to write and/or type; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend. The employee may occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters in an office
environment. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only job duties to be
performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.