Communications Manager

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is seeking a Communications Manager to plan and execute effective marketing and communications messaging that supports the organization's programming and fundraising goals. Successful candidates will be enthusiastic, organized, and effective communicators with experience in the areas of written communication, fundraising, public relations, website and social media management, email campaigns, and print design. Exceptional candidates will also bring people leadership skills and/or database management skills. The Communications Manager is a hybrid role with remote work and two days per week collaborating with our neurodiverse team at our St. Paul, MN office.

About Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM)

AuSM enhances the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Founded in 1971, AuSM serves Minnesotans, throughout their lives, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

Description

The Communications Manager reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for leading strategic marketing, written communication, fundraising, public relations, website and social media management, email campaigns, and print design. The Communications Manager utilizes writing and communication skills, primarily for internet media, to market the organization's programs and services, make fundraising appeals, inform the public about autism, manage social media presence, and support advocacy initiatives. This position is part of the Advancement Department (fundraising, events, and communications) and works closely with program staff, leadership, and external partners. The Communications Manager is a wide-ranging role that is critical in strengthening the organization's brand and managing the public perception of the organization as Minnesota's first autism resource.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy: Lead and implement strategic marketing and communication initiatives that strengthen the organization's brand, elevate its public image, and foster meaningful engagement with community partners, funders, and volunteers.

Planning: Plan and oversee a comprehensive marketing and communications plan leveraging project management tools.

Implementation: Execute strategies that promote the organization's services via various communication mediums, develop effective messaging, and implement all marketing strategies and public relations activities.

Fundraising: Support fundraising by managing online giving tools, campaigns, and communications.

Collaboration: Coordinate all aspects of external communication, marketing, and public relations in partnership with the leadership team, programs department, and events team.

Branding: Ensure brand, tone, visual elements, and style are consistent for all organizational messaging, emphasizing inclusive and accessible communication.

Public Relations: Draft and distribute press releases and position statements while managing media relationships on behalf of the organization.

Marketing Campaigns: Plan and execute marketing campaigns from conception through analysis, including campaigns focused on fundraising, events, programs, awareness, and more.

Research: Stay current with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in autism and marketing to continuously improve messaging quality and campaign performance.

Messaging: Craft effective messaging that leverages storytelling, unique value propositions, and compelling calls to action to share the impact of the organization's work and motivate donors.

People Leadership: Manage 1-2 part-time employees and/or independent contractors supporting development, marketing, and communications functions.

Shared Responsibilities

Following the selection of the Communications Manager, the organization expects to hire a Communications Coordinator to share responsibilities and complement the skills of the Communications Manager.

Multimedia Messaging: Implement communications strategies and create educational resources online and in print, leveraging multimedia, video, images, graphics, and compelling copy.

Social Media Management: Manage the organization's online presence, including social media, website, and email campaigns.

Accessibility: Ensure all content meets the highest accessibility standards and incorporates the voices and needs of the organization's stakeholders.

Design: Write and design printed materials, including flyers, brochures, catalogs, postcards, etc.

Storytelling: Gather and utilize stories, quotes, photos, and information from staff, partners, volunteers, and program participants to support communications and outreach.

Donor Stewardship: Support donor stewardship by crafting monthly, quarterly, and annual reports demonstrating the organization's impact and keeping supporters well-informed.

Website Management: Curate and publish content for the organization's website and donation landing pages, with special attention to SEO, accessibility, and forms.

Advertising: Manage advertising partnerships with external organizations, vendors, and Premier Partners, to be included in email newsletters, print materials, and events.

Database Management: Maintain stakeholder data in Salesforce, primarily leveraging API integrations with other platforms and tools.

Data-Driven Reporting: Monitor and report on campaign performance using analytics tools to assess effectiveness and inform future strategies.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

Experience in nonprofit communications, marketing, digital media, graphic design, journalism, or a related field.

Demonstrated organizational skills, including attention to detail, project planning, time management, and analysis to organize and manage multiple priorities and projects.

Strategic communications planning for multi-year strategies.

Technical skills in strategic planning and marketing, business and market development, market research, and planning and promotions/advertising.

Effective and efficient writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate mission-centered content clearly and inclusively.

Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.

Collaboration and interpersonal skills to work effectively with senior-level executives and staff.

Self-motivated to work independently.

Demonstrated good judgment and cultural competence to support communicating with a diverse range of individuals.

Excellent Mac computer skills, including Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Experience creating content for social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), web content (WordPress), and email marketing tools (Mailchimp).

Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and disability justice.

Preferred Skills

A bachelor's degree or comparable experience is strongly preferred.

Inclusive values and experience working with the neurodivergent community.

Ability to establish a strong rapport with various stakeholders.

Familiarity with graphic design and video editing.

Familiarity with customer relationship management databases (Salesforce).

Familiarity with project management tools (Asana).

Experience with web-based fundraising tools (Give Butter).

Experience designing for both digital and print formats.

Experience in capturing photography or videography for storytelling purposes.

Experience in nonprofits, community-based organizations, or autism organizations.

Knowledge of accessibility best practices for digital communications.

Position Details

St. Paul, MN

Full-time, exempt

Hybrid position with remote work and two in-person days per week.

Flexible schedule with occasional evenings and weekends.

Comprehensive benefits include:

Flexible work schedule in a hybrid work environment.

Health, dental, and vision insurance.

Optional health savings account (HSA), or flexible spending accounts (FSA) for health or childcare costs.

Basic term life insurance.

Short- and Long-term disability insurance.

401k retirement plan.

Up to 35 days off per year (15 vacation days, 6 sick days, 12 holidays, and 2 personal days).

Compensation commensurate with experience.

Opportunities for advancement.

About the Autism Society of Minnesota

Established in 1971, the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. AuSM seeks to enhance the lives of all who are a part of the Minnesota autism community, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

At AuSM, equity and inclusion are central to our mission. Bringing diverse perspectives together supports strategic creativity for meeting challenges and focusing on growth. We strive to develop a workplace that reflects the communities we serve - in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical ability, neurodiversity, and ethnicity. We value our team members and want everyone to feel confident in bringing their full, authentic selves to work.

AuSM employs many people with disabilities and understands that qualified applicants may require reasonable accommodations to be successful. If you have a disability that requires accommodation for the interview process, please request accommodations by contacting us at [email protected].

Salary

$50,000 - $60,000 per year