Senior Community Engagement & Communications Specialist

Socket.dev; La Plata (MD); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health savings plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid work environment

Travel assistance

Job summary

Wills Group is seeking a Community Engagement and Communications Specialist to support planning, coordination, and execution of our Community Engagement program and Corporate Communications initiatives across the Mid-Atlantic. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders and nonprofit partners to drive community impact.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 4+ years in communications or nonprofit administration, possess strong writing and project coordination skills, and be

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Experience coordinating events and working with multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrated success in collaborative team environments
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day Community Engagement initiatives, ensuring timelines and deliverables stay on track
• Draft internal and external communications supporting Community Engagement initiatives
• Coordinate Community Engagement content for newsletters, blogs, and employee communications
• Maintain Community Engagement databases, partner directories, and program documentation

Skills

Communication

Event coordination

Relationship management

Public relations

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field

Job description

Job Purpose and Function

The Community Engagement and Communications Specialist supports the planning, coordination and execution of Wills Group's Community Engagement program and Corporate Communications initiatives. Working under the direction of the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications and Community Engagement, this role coordinates community partnerships, volunteer programs, events, communications and administrative activities that advance Wills Group's community impact and business priorities across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North and South Carolina.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Coordinate day-to-day Community Engagement initiatives, ensuring projects, timelines, and deliverables remain on track
• Oversee and manage the Community Impact Committee (CIC) including general committee members onboarding, guidance and support.
• Coordinate Community Impact Committee (CIC) and Community Leadership Team (CLT) meetings including scheduling, agendas, meeting materials, and follow up actions
• Maintain Community Engagement calendars, partner directories, committee rosters and program documentation
• Support administration of community grants, volunteer initiatives, and philanthropic activities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for nonprofit partners, community organizations, volunteers, and internal stakeholders regarding Community Engagement
• Support relationship management by scheduling meetings, maintaining timely and personalized partner communications, and coordinating follow-up activities
• Represent Wills Group at community events, partner meetings and volunteer activities as assigned
• Draft internal and external communications supporting Community Engagement initiatives, volunteer opportunities, grant announcements, and community partnerships
• Coordinate Community Engagement content for newsletters, blogs, presentations and employee communications
• Collect and organize photos, videos, testimonials and impact stories to support Community Engagement storytelling
• Coordinate Community Engagement communication calendars and assist with campaign execution
• Maintain Community Engagement databases, donation tracking, volunteer participation records, Community Engagement PTO, grant files and partner information
• Assist with preperation of the annual Community Engagement Report, presentations and dashboards
• Coordinate invoices, purchase requests, sponsorship documentation, and other administrative activities supporting Community Engagement
• Monitor project timelines and provide regular status updates to leadership
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete assigned tasks

What We’re Looking For

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in communications, community engagement, event coordination, or nonprofit administration.
• Demonstrated success working in a collaborative team environment with strong customer/community relations skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Experience coordinating events and working with multiple stakeholders
• Strong relationship-building and customer service skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

An ideal candidate will also have

• Experience coordinating volunteer programs, partnerships, or community events
• Experience supporting community engagement, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or nonprofit initiatives
• Experience drafting communications for employees or community audiences
• Experience maintaining databases, tracking metrics, or preparing reports

Availability and Travel

• This hybrid role complies with our company’s hybrid telework schedule. Our operating days and hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with in-office days being Tuesday through Thursday, reserving Monday and Friday as remote working days.
• This role may require event attendance that falls outside of the typical in-office days, including after hours or weekends for community events, store openings, or conferences. Wills Group may cover or provide reimbursement for travel and accommodations, with approval and in alignment with the Travel Policy.

ADA Compliance

The Wills Group is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace for individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we ensure that all qualified individuals are given the necessary accommodations to perform the essential functions of their roles.

We encourage open communication and collaboration to identify and implement reasonable accommodations that support the success of our employees while maintaining operational excellence. Reasonable accommodations can be discussed during the hiring process.

Why You Should Join Wills Group

As a thriving, family-owned, $1.5 billion company headquartered in scenic La Plata, Maryland, (a 45-minute commute from Washington, DC), we take pride in our strong presence across the Mid-Atlantic region. Featuring nearly 300 retail locations of our family of brands including Dash In, Splash In ECO Car Wash, and SMO Motor Fuels, we are shaping the future of convenience retailing, fuels marketing, and commercial real estate.

Since 1926, our work-hard, play-hard mentality propels us to serve the communities that have supported us throughout the years. Keeping lives in motion is more than our mission--it's our way of life!We're dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace new possibilities and chart their own paths to success. Discover the fulfillment of working alongside passionate professionals, where your ideas are valued, and your potential is nurtured. Become part of something bigger when you join the Wills Group!

Benefits and Perks

Embark on a rewarding journey where your growth, future, and well-being take center stage! As a certified Great Place to Work™, the Wills Group understands today's professionals desire meaningful careers with a culture that’s as authentic as possible. We pride ourselves in fostering an environment that supports your overall development.

Look forward to joining a company that celebrates your wins whether big or small. You can count on us to provide industry-leading total rewards packages that include a range of benefits and perks that contribute to your overall well-being:

• Financial Well-being: Employer 401(k) match (currently at 7%), health savings plan, and financial planning.
• Physical Well-being: Comprehensive health, vision, and dental plans tailored to meet the needs of our people and their families, even their pets!
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, community engagement, and parental leave for new parents.
• Work/Life Balance: Hybrid and flexible work environment, Employee Assistance Program, travel assistance, family life planning.
• Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy discounts on theme parks, Broadway shows, concerts, travel, shopping, dining, and wellness services.
• Education and Development Opportunities: 100% tuition reimbursement to support our team’s education goals, robust development programs, and certificate program assistance (up to 100% employer-paid).
• Competitive Salary: Competitive pay matched to DC Metro area.

Wills Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies in response to the Wills Group careers page or a Wills Group social media post. Wills Group will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee relating to these unsolicited resumes. Wills Group explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Wills Group.

Wills Group is an equal opportunity employer. Wills Group does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.