Director of Communications & Media

Westerville First Presbyterian; Westerville (OH); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

First Presbyterian Church of Westerville seeks a Director of Communications & Media to lead a faith-centered strategy across digital and print channels, serving both the congregation and the Westerville community.

This part-time role (16-20 hours/week) collaborates with the pastor and ministry leaders, oversees the Advocate newsletter, website, email communications, and social media, and coordinates volunteers to tell the church’s story.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, journalism, media production, or a closely related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with common digital tools: email platforms (Mailchimp or similar), social media management, and basic website editing.
• Basic graphic design ability for bulletins, flyers, signage, and digital graphics (Canva or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual communications plan aligned with FPCW's mission and ministry calendar.
• Maintain brand consistency across all channels, including tone, visual identity, and messaging.
• Work with Pastor, Session, and Ministry leaders to ensure FPCW's mission and ministry is carried consistently through all communication channels.
• Coordinate and manage the Advocate newsletter content planning, writing, editing, layout, and distribution via Mailchimp.

Skills

Communications experience

Marketing

Journalism

Media production

Digital tools

Graphic design (Canva)

Project management

Tools

Mailchimp

Social media management

Google Calendar

Website editing

Job description

The Director of Communications & Media is responsible for developing and executing a faith-centered communications and media strategy that serves and engages the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Westerville. This part-time role encompasses both digital media (website, social media, and email) and physical media (newsletter, signage, printed materials, and displays), ensuring that FPCW's mission, ministries, and community life are communicated clearly, consistently, and compellingly to our congregation and the broader Westerville community.

Classification: Part-time (16-20 hours/week), Non-exempt
Reports To: Pastor

Key Responsibilities

1. Communications Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement an annual communications plan aligned with FPCW's mission and ministry calendar.
• Maintain brand consistency across all channels, including tone, visual identity, and messaging.
• Work with Pastor, Session, and Ministry leaders to ensure FPCW's mission and ministry is carried consistently through all communication channels.
• Serve as a resource to ministry teams to help them communicate effectively with the congregation.

2. Physical Media & Print Publications

• Coordinate and manage the monthly Advocate newsletter, including content planning, writing, editing, layout, and distribution via Mailchimp.
• Collaborate with ministry leaders, staff, and the existing newsletter team.
• Continuously evaluate and evolve the Advocate's format, content, and reach to better serve and engage the congregation after learning the current value and use.
• Provide content support to the pastor for the weekly worship bulletin as needed.
• Design and produce event flyers and other printed materials for ministries and programs.
• Manage physical signage, lobby displays, and bulletin boards to keep congregation-facing spaces current and visually consistent.
• Coordinate with vendors for printing and production of physical media as needed.

3. Digital Communications & Website

• Maintain and update the church website to ensure content is current, accurate, and accessible.
• Manage email communications to the congregation, including weekly updates, event announcements, and pastoral messages.
• Coordinate integration of church tools including Mailchimp, the church directory/member portal, and Google Calendar.

4. Social Media

• Manage FPCW's presence on social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube channel content, and others as appropriate). Livestream production and AV operations are handled separately and are not part of this role.
• Create and curate content that reflects the life of the congregation, promotes upcoming events, and shares the church's witness in the community.
• Monitor engagement and adjust strategy to grow online community participation.
• Work closely with the pastor, staff, and ministry committee chairs to gather accurate and timely information.
• Participate in staff meetings and relevant committee meetings (e.g., Technology & Communications Committee).
• Support special events and seasonal communications (Advent, Lent, stewardship campaigns, etc.).
• Recruit, support, and coordinate volunteers contributing to communications work.

6. Administrative Duties

• Maintain a communications calendar coordinating across all channels and ministry teams.
• Manage the communications budget in coordination with the Stewardship/Finance Committee.
• Keep records and archives of publications, announcements, and media.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, journalism, media production, or a closely related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with common digital tools: email platforms (Mailchimp or similar), social media management, and basic website editing.
• Basic graphic design ability for bulletins, flyers, signage, and digital graphics (Canva or equivalent).
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Active Christian faith and commitment to the mission and values of First Presbyterian Church of Westerville.

Preferred

• Experience in a church, nonprofit, or ministry communications context.
• Proficiency in graphic design tools such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop.
• Experience with Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Gmail, Calendar).
• Knowledge of or experience within the PC(USA) tradition.

Accountability

The Director of Communications & Media is directly supervised by the pastor and works as a member of the Technology & Communications Committee and in close collaboration with other ministry committees as appropriate. There is an expectation to maintain confidentiality.

Evaluation

The pastor will conduct an annual performance review and make recommendations to the Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee will approve compensation upon initial hiring and provide annual recommendations to the Session prior to budget preparation.