Communications Manager

80201BR

Campus: Downtown Phoenix

Mgr Communications

Job Description

The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) seeks a Communications Manager to support the organization’s strategic marketing & communications efforts. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the organization achieves its mission to bring Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for the state. The Communications Manager plans, develops, and evaluates content and campaigns to promote CFA's activities, mission, and goals, and its programs and initiatives.

The Communications Manager is responsible for managing multifaceted and strategic communications projects aligned with CFA brand standards. The individual should be an excellent writer and have experience in media strategy and relations, brand and organizational communications, and strategic content development across owned and earned media. A successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in maintaining brand voice standards, public relations, social media, and collaborating with technical experts on multimedia content production, graphic design, and digital marketing. 

The ideal candidate is:

• Mission-driven with a passion for working with Arizona communities and leaders to solve public problems
• A team player who is organized, creative, and self-motivated, comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, and will thrive in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment.
• Detail-oriented with an ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• A skilled communicator with strong verbal and written communication skills, able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively, providing strategic support and performing the direct day-to-day work necessary. 

This position reports to the Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications and works collaboratively with other members and affiliates of the organization.

Job Family

Public Relations

Department Name

Center for the Future of AZ

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time

Grant Funded Position

This is a grant funded position. Continuation is contingent on future grant funding.

Salary Range

$70,000 - $80,000 per year; DOE

Essential Duties

• Develops, drives, and evaluates editorial strategies, produces content, and provides strategic thinking for web and social media sites.  
• Under general direction, manages, develops, prepares, and distributes news releases, story ideas, and other publicity materials. Advises on targeting stories in support of strategic initiatives to appropriate media. Arranges interviews for leadership and assists in developing and maintaining positive relationships with local, regional, and national media.
• Develops and executes campaigns to support key initiatives and programs, including creative and message execution.  
• Works collaboratively across the organization to craft, edit, and develop messaging and content for a wide range of print and electronic communications, including press releases, collateral, presentations, emails, social media, brochures, website, etc. 
• Actively participates in developing new ideas and valuable content to ensure delivery of communications that result in significant and measurable improvements in broadening audience attention and engagement in support of established goals. 
• Writes, reviews, and advises on designing stories and other features across earned and owned media channels.
• Produces messaging and scripts, reviews, and helps shape collateral, presentations, and communications plans and reports.
• Helps drive the measurement, evaluation, and reporting of all marketing and communications efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related field AND five years of related experience, including three years of supervisory experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of communications, social media, and public relations principles, practices, and procedures.
• Evidence of effective communication skills and the ability to establish professional relationships by communicating in a strong and positive effective manner.
• Demonstrated writing and content production abilities with knowledge of AP style editing.
• Evidence of being a self-starter who can sustain and work independently and move work forward with minimal direction or supervision.
• Possess analytical ability to solve problems, anticipate challenges and identify opportunities and solutions.
• Ability to lead by example in communicating, participating, and encouraging support of the organization’s programs. Passion for following current events and news and strategically incorporating knowledge into communications and strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of online platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and insight into their formats, audiences, and usage standards.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to stay organized while efficiently handling multiple tasks and projects.
• Highly motivated to learn, grow professionally and work in a team environment.
• Proficient in all MS Office and Google products.
• Skill in utilizing measurement & analytical tools and assessment of outcomes.  
• Skill in exercising a high degree of judgment and diplomacy.  
• Ability to work effectively in an environment subject to tight deadlines, often including conflicting priorities.
• Experience contributing to cultivating a welcoming, inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Experience with leading and managing others in a creative and deadline-driven environment.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization.
• Experience in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) and Salesforce (or other CRM applications).
• Experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or any related field. (8 years)

Working Environment

• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse; staff may choose to work remotely 2-3 days a week.
• On-site event facilitation/support including but not limited to PR and multimedia production projects as well as events is performed across the Phoenix metro area and the state.
• Required to stand for varying lengths of time.
• Occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 20 pounds.

Department Statement

Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA works across the full spectrum of important issue areas and has deep and ongoing work in education, workforce, and civic participation, recognizing how central these are to a bright and prosperous future for our state. A self-defined “do tank,” CFA is data-based, action-oriented, and committed to advancing prosperity, quality of life, and opportunity for all Arizonans. For more information about CFA and our current efforts, please visit www.arizonafuture.org .

Center for the Future of Arizona is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported by public and private donors and organizations from across Arizona and throughout the country.

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination. For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion's webpage.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

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Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.