Communications Manager

Do you believe that history, literature, and culture are essential to building a more equitable society? Can you speak to audiences ranging from elected officials and donors to students and neighborhood organizations? Are you adept at managing multiple platforms with cohesive, inclusive, engaging messaging?

Mass Humanities is currently seeking a Communications Manager. The Communications Manager coordinates storytelling to enhance the visibility of Mass Humanities, our grantee partners, and the humanities in Massachusetts. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager collaborates with Programs and Development staff to create and distribute high quality content across digital platforms. As editor of the foundation’s website, the Communications Manager writes frequently, contributes other digital media as needed, and manages freelancers and vendors to present consistent, high quality coverage of the organization’s impact and the work of our grantees. By synthesizing the stories and assets generated by MH-funded projects and organizations, the Communications Manager increases and diversifies the audiences for the humanities, spotlighting the work of oral historians, documentary filmmakers, museums, libraries, educators and community organizations that serve local populations across the Commonwealth.

About Us

Mass Humanities is a private, non-profit foundation based in Northampton, that creates opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through the humanities. Since its founding in 1974 as the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the organization has provided millions of dollars to support thousands of humanities projects across the Commonwealth. Mass Humanities receives major support from the NEH, Massachusetts Cultural Council and private sources. In 2023, Mass Humanities awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to nonprofit.

Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Values Statement

Inclusion. We value many voices in our decision-making processes, operations, evaluation and programs. We live this value by constantly striving for transparency, full participation, meaningful reflection and addressing past practices of exclusion in our organization that may have served as barriers to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Creating Opportunities. We value opportunities for connection where we learn, experience, and share in the richness of the Commonwealth. We live this value by continuing to fund and run programs in historically excluded communities in Massachusetts, engaging in challenging dialogues internally and externally. We develop strategies to strengthen our relationships with community members.

Equitable Access. We value systems and structures that create equitable access to opportunities connected to the humanities. We live this value by addressing existing barriers to funding, programs and experiences that have excluded specific communities. We provide mentoring, support and proactive outreach to reduce the perpetuation of these barriers to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Diverse Representation. We value the strength of multiple perspectives to tell a more complete story of the Commonwealth. We live by this value by ensuring that our programs support a range of diverse voices and experiences. Our internal processes recognize and value the unique contributions of diverse staff and board members. Our work is driven by a commitment to ethically amplify narratives that have been historically erased or minimized in the humanities.

The successful candidate will:

· Manage multiple projects as a writer/editor/collaborator responsible for making strong connections with key audiences through storytelling, including maintaining production schedules, aggregating and incorporating edits, feedback and photo selection for all communications channels.

· Partner with grants staff to announce new funding opportunities and celebrate the work of grantees; with the fundraising staff to engage donors and support events; and with the leadership to provide regular updates to state and local officials.

· Develop and distribute key messaging documents, fundraising collateral such as fact sheets and annual reports, newsletter copy and press releases, web articles, social media content, video scripts, and email communications.

· Identify and collaborate with video and audio producers, media partners and news outlets, supporting the organization’s reputation and its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access.

The position is fully remote. Periodic travel will be necessary to complete assignments and for meetings or team retreats.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Organization

· Serves as editor and lead content creator for the organization’s website by producing high quality content on grantees, events, and program participants.

· Manages organization-wide communications calendar (social media, media outreach, and newsletters) to provide cohesive, focused messaging across all platforms.

· Writes and edits social media copy, newsletters, branding materials, press releases, media pitches, talking points, scripts, and other content as needed.

· Ensures quality control of written materials, ensuring high-quality standards for all materials that are consistent with brand.

· Partners with Executive Director on legislative relations and media outreach. Proactively cultivates and stewards press relationships across the state and supports media partnerships to increase the audiences for the humanities.

· Grows and manages a network of vendors and consultants to meet needs for digital and print production processes.

Grants and Programs

· Partners with Grants and Program Department to create outreach tools that reach new audiences for grant opportunities.

· Co-creates special content projects with grantee partners to build audiences and resources for their success.

· Reports on outcomes of outreach strategies to target audiences (increases in number of applications, media placement in key markets, attendance at events).

Development

· Partners with Development Department to create compelling fundraising tools, including donor appeals (both print and digital).

· Supports public engagement events through promotion to audiences, coverage of events, and coordination with communications-related vendors.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Outstanding writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.
At least three years of content management experience.
5+ years of related experience in journalism, public relations or marketing.
Up-to-date understanding of social media landscape and track record of managing multiple social media channels.
Team player who works well with others and can manage multiple large projects and deadlines.
Experience working in diverse communities and with grassroots organizations
Strong record of accomplishment of project management in communications.
Deep interest in the news and current events, and how they connect with the humanities.
Proficient with WordPress, Microsoft Office.
Bi-lingual a plus.

Mass Humanities offers generous benefits to include fully paid individual health insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement contribution, as well as vacation, personal and sick leave.

Resident of Massachusetts.

Salary: $75,000-$80,000

Please apply at: jobs@masshumanities.org

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Communications Manager