Office and Communications Specialist

Board Of Church & Society United Methodist Church; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Board Of Church & Society United Methodist Church is seeking an Office and Communications Specialist to support communications initiatives, office administration, front desk operations, and building services in its Washington, DC office. The role requires coordination of virtual and in-person events, development of communications materials, and dependable daily operations.

You will collaborate with leadership, manage calendars, assist with CMS content, and provide excellent service to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; associate degree or equivalent experience acceptable.
• 1–3 years of experience in admin support, office ops, or related roles.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Support communications initiatives and social media calendars.
• Coordinate virtual and in-person events with agendas and materials.
• Assist with development of speeches, scripts, briefs, and press materials.
• Manage front desk operations, scheduling, and leave coverage.
• Oversee building services, supplies, vendor relations and payments.
• Maintain building notifications and access records; support emergency preparedness.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

CMS platforms

Canva

Hootsuite

Email marketing systems

Job description

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church announces a search and invites applications for the Office and Communications Specialist position. GBCS seeks a highly organized, proactive, and collaborative professional to support communications initiatives, office administration, front desk operations, and building services. The ideal candidate will bring experience in administrative and operational support, strong communication and organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to independently coordinate multiple priorities while providing exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders. This position plays a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of the United Methodist Building and supporting the effectiveness of GBCS communications and organizational activities.GBCS is dedicated to living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and in New York City, GBCS is the social justice and public policy agency of The United Methodist Church. GBCS is responsible for advocating for the denomination’s Social Principles and providing an outward-facing witness in the public policy arena.The Office and Communications Specialist manages communications support activities, assists with virtual and in-person event planning, supports the development of written and digital communications materials, coordinates front desk and office operations, administers building access and services, supports emergency preparedness activities, and serves as a central resource for daily operational and communication needs across the agency.Key Responsibilities:Manage communications support by prioritizing the social media calendar; reviewing and formatting preapproved content for EveryAction, website CMS platforms, Canva, and Hootsuite; scheduling email communications; writing alt-text for images; determining equipment needs for meetings and events; photographing agency events; resolving routine technical and content issues; and processing related vendor payments.Partner with the Director of Communications and General Secretary to coordinate virtual and in-person events, including agendas, briefing materials, promotional content, logistical preparation, and event management support.Assist in the development and production of communications materials including speeches, scripts, board presentations, briefing documents, reports, talking points, press releases, op-eds, blog posts, media kits, letters to the editor, video content, and other publications.Coordinate front desk operations by maintaining coverage schedules, managing leave coverage needs, coordinating temporary staffing resources, resolving routine scheduling issues, and ensuring consistent communication with front desk personnel.Manage office services including supplies, mail distribution, catering coordination, vendor relationships, and payment processing while ensuring quality service and cost-effective solutions.Manage and distribute building notifications from building management, security personnel, and related stakeholders; assess urgency and audience needs; respond to routine inquiries; and escalate matters requiring leadership review.Administer building access and office operations including Kastle records, keys and keycards, office moves, Prism work orders, vendor services, and access records while maintaining accurate documentation and compliance with established procedures.Lead GBCS emergency preparedness activities by coordinating floor stewards, monitoring emergency supplies, supporting preparedness initiatives, identifying operational gaps, and escalating emergency concerns as appropriate.Qualifications:Bachelor's degree preferred; Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.One to three years of experience in administrative support, office operations, facilities coordination, vendor management, front desk operations, communications support, or related work.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, database systems, and internet research.Experience with CRM platforms, CMS platforms, Canva, Hootsuite, social media platforms, and email marketing systems is preferred.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Excellent organizational, coordination, and problem-solving abilities.Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines.Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people.Demonstrated attention to detail and follow-through.Functional knowledge of The United Methodist Church is preferred.Ability to travel domestically as required.Must be able to work from the Washington, D.C. office.Closing Date: October 26, 2026GBCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms