Development and Communications Associate

Development and Communications Associate
JOB DESCRIPTION





Title: Development and Communications Associate (Communications and Events)

Location: San Francisco

Reports to: Vice President of Development and Communications

Status: Exempt Full-Time




Position Summary

The Development and Communications Associate reports to the Vice President of Development and Communications. The person in this position is a member of the Development and Communications team, which is responsible for implementing a comprehensive statewide development and communications plan. Under the general supervision of the Vice President, this position is the second step on the Development and Communications career ladder and may be located in either the San Francisco or Los Angeles office of the Women’s Foundation of California. The primary focus of this position is coordinating the Foundation’s external communications, including website maintenance and electronic communications, direct mail and marketing, and producing small-scale Northern California-based events in order to generate visibility and revenue. The Development and Communications Associate will partner closely with the Vice President to implement a two-year Communications Plan (adopted in July 2009).



Essential Duties



Communications

· Primary writer of the Foundation’s external communications, including website content, e-communications, direct mail solicitations, newsletters, speeches/public presentations, marketing materials and opinion editorials and press releases.

o Website and e-communications: manage online giving strategy and marketing, including author e-appeals/e- blasts (e-advocacy) and bi-monthly e-newsletters for donors and community-based partners; maintain Foundation identity on selected social networks;

o Direct mail: conceptualize and author solicitation appeals (twice annually);

o Speeches/public presentations: serve as lead speech writer and develop public presentations for meetings and events at different scales;

o Marketing materials: Write and oversee production of brochures and other marketing pieces, liaising with graphic designers and printers;

o Media: Contribute as writer of Foundation-authored opinion editorials and press releases.

· Publications management: oversight of annual report; lead writer and editor; management of contract writers, editors, designers and printers.

· Participate in monthly staff and team meetings.

· Participate in annual team budgeting, goal setting and planning.

· Some travel within California is required.



Events

· Develop timelines and production schedules for small-scale (fewer than 100 guests) special events that take place in Northern California.

· Coordinate logistics, venues, speakers, food and beverage service and other aspects as needed for special events and meetings.

· Provide staff support to volunteers.



Qualifications

Skills:

* 3-5 years fundraising or communications experience.
* Proficiency in Kintera (website content management system) and understanding of web 2.0 tools, including social networking.
* Excellent organizational, listening, oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to relate to and communicate with diverse communities.
* Strong skills in copy-editing for fundraising.
* Proficiency with MS Outlook and Office Suite (especially PowerPoint and Word), Internet communication and web navigation and search.

· Strong computer skills; experience in troubleshooting hardware and software problems such as phone systems, remote server access, and MS Office applications.



Qualities:

* Must possess a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals and philosophy of the Women’s Foundation of California.
* Must be able to work independently and multi-task with high degree of project and time-management capacity.
* Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality at all times.
* Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.
* Bilingual/bicultura l skills highly desirable.
* Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to create positive, long-term working relationships by demonstrating a commitment to team work and customer service, tact, confidentiality, dependability, diplomacy and flexibility.

· Willingness and ability to travel to meetings and other Foundation events (must maintain CA driver license).

* Proven ability to work in a small and friendly office environment where each staff person assumes multiple responsibilities while striving to achieve shared goals.
* Positive approach, can-do attitude and sense of humor.



Physical demands and work environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job’s essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for long periods while using a computer with keyboard, screen and mouse; talk and listen on a telephone and in person; read and write; apply logic and focus attention in the presence of distractions. Occasional requirements are to stand or walk for brief periods, travel by car, lift and/or move loads of up to 25 pounds.