JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Communications Specialist Department: Development Reports to: Director of Development Employment Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt Interfaith Works is a $15 million nonsectarian nonprofit serving residents of Montgomery County, MD who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. They were founded in 1972 by a coalition of more than 165 affiliated congregations of diverse faiths working together to meet the needs of the poor and homeless. Their mission is "to support our neighbors in need by providing vital services and a pathway to stability". Today, Interfaith Works is not a religious organization, but maintains the original spirit of striving to provide Montgomery County residents with the best possibly assistance through various programs. More than 70,000 Montgomery County residents are living on an income that is below the Federal poverty line, and about 20,000 of these residents are children. Interfaith Works has 14 interrelated and co-located programs help to ensure out neighbors have access to shelter, food, clothing, medical care, employment support, and emergency resources. They operate with 160 staff and over 7,000 volunteers to serve 35,000 residents in Montgomery County each year. POSITION SUMMARY This position serves as the primary messaging creator and coordinator across multiple platforms. Implements IW's communications/marketing plan, and works closely with the CEO, Director of Development, development colleagues, program staff, and volunteers to communicate, advertise, and promote IW's accomplishments, mission, goals, and events, while elevating the organization's visibility. This position is part of the fundraising (Development) team and as such, the primary purpose of this role is attracting financial, in-kind, and volunteer support for IW programs and operations. This role requires close collaboration with other members of the Development team. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Supports fundraising campaigns and events through developing and implementing communications plan for each, including writing and sending emails and social media posts. Will write or assist in writing fundraising appeals in collaboration with Development team colleagues. Collaborate with IW fundraising and program colleagues, volunteers, doners, and clients to create communications/marketing and content across all communications platforms, including writing and production of a monthly emailed newsletter as well as website content such as blog posts and landing pages; social medial channels; and printed collateral used to support the Development Department and other functions and programs. Creates and implements a digital media strategy including identifying the target audience for each platform, defining the purpose and growth target for each, creating content, and measuring and analyzing the growth in IW's audiences for each of the social platforms and website. This includes building out website content and promoting it on social media to drive traffic to the IW site. Creates communications collateral that adheres to organizational brand guidelines including, but not limited to: annual reports, monthly donor newsletter, presentation decks, one-pagers, video content, blogs and other content with input from program staff and volunteer coordinators. Collaborates with Development Director and other key staff to support fundraising evens and community events that elevate IW's visibility. Maintains and updates IW website structure and content. Develops media relationships and serves as media point-of-contact for IW. Works with CEP and program directors to prep for interviews and follow up with reporters on needed information. Maintain library of visual assets to enable retrieval of material as needed. Takes on other communication projects and tasks as needed and assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES) Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in communications, marketing, public relations or similar area of concentration (preferred). At least 3-5 years of brand and content management or marketing experience preferably in nonprofit sector. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to convey the nuances of IW programs and facts about homelessness and poverty into clear and compelling language for an external audience; demonstrable ability to tell a compelling story. High level of proficiency with SquareSpace and design and graphics software; Bloomerang and/or similar email/CRM programs; video experience highly desirable. Demonstrable experience designing effective visual/graphic content and layout, with a portfolio of examples. Proficiency creating graphics and videos with Canva is a plus. Demonstrable experience creating and leading a social media marketing strategy; experience with using Google grants. Excellent organizational, planning, tracking, and follow-through skills, including time management to meet deadlines and provide appropriate attention to detail. Ability to work in a small-team environment and work across locations to secure involvement from necessary staff to complete projects. POSITION OPPORTUNITY Interfaith Works is a financially strong organization that truly cares for the community and residents of Montgomery County. With over 50 years of dedication and dependable programs, they stay true to their mission of preventing homelessness, stabilizing lives, and empowering people. This communications specialist will be instrumental in the growth of the organization and will have the opportunity to utilize a solid communications foundation, great reputation and positive moral support to help get the organization to the next level. Reporting to a Director fo Development that is committed to investing in and mentoring professionals, this person will apply their writing, creative and storytelling skills to strengthen and establish more recognition within the organization and community. It is encouraged that this person gets out of the office and visits IW's facilities, talks to the community and clients, become plugged in to everything that is happening in Montgomery County and share the stories. This is a unique opportunity for someone to continue building a solid Communications program for a deeply rooted powerful nonprofit. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. NOTE This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship. TO APPLY Interfaith Works has retained the services of ThinkingAhead Executive Search. Interested applicants should submit a resume and expression of interest to the following Recruiter. Heather Campbell, Partner *** Interfaith Works is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a continued focus on equitable hiring, training, promotional practices, and policies. We are a drug free workplace and comply with ADA regulations, as applicable.