Posted on January 24, 2013

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Manager, Communications and Technology

Are you passionate about communications, community change, and technology? Are you a skilled “tech translator” who thrives on helping colleagues understand and leverage technology to reach, engage and inspire their core customers? If so, read on!

Association of Small foundations (ASF): Small foundations represent nearly half of all foundation giving in the United States. ASF’s mission is to enhance the power of philanthropy by providing small foundation donors, trustees, and professionals with peer learning opportunities, resources, and a collective voice in and beyond the philanthropic community.

Our Culture: ASF was created by small-staffed foundations for small-staffed foundations. Today, more than 15 years later and with members in all 50 states representing more than 14,500 trustees and foundation staff, we still have the same friendly culture. We continue to take pride in connecting our members with others in similar situations. In its staff members, ASF looks for highly collegial, ethical, bright, and ambitious people who have a commitment to quality work. As a small, nimble organization, ASF staff must be comfortable wearing many hats. ASF is an organization that values and rewards performance.

Marketing and Communications at ASF: The Marketing and Communications (MarCom) team is responsible for presenting ASF and our many member services to members, prospective members, the broader philanthropic community, and beyond. The MarCom team’s goals include building and managing a high-quality brand; encouraging target audiences to take full advantage of ASF's resources; and motivating target audiences to build ASF through membership, financial support, and other resources. The team uses a variety of technology to train, connect, and respond to the needs of its members while also promoting their work and advocating for the important role of small-staffed philanthropy within the field of giving. ASF’s website (smallfoundations.org) includes member and non-member facing content, member and professional directories and an online store. ASF publishes a blog ( philanthrofiles.org) and uses a variety of digital learning formats including webinars, conference calls, and podcasts. ASF’s digital communications also include electronic news updates and various social media tools.

The Position: The Manager of Communications & Technology is responsible for ensuring that ASF is effectively using technology and other communication’s tools to promote and deliver value to its core audiences. He/she will serve a key role in maintaining and strengthening a dynamic digital communications platform that supports members while expanding ASF’s reach to small-staff philanthropists. This manager will serve as an internal resource and evangelist for using appropriate technology in a manner consistent with its brand and accessible to core audiences. The Manager of Communications & Technology will report to the Director of Marketing and Communication and will be a member of ASF’s Marketing and Communications Team. The ideal candidate must be a strong project manager, good communicator, and instinctive collaborator. He/she must have the ability to work both strategically and tactically and to be a true systems thinker.

Responsibilities

• Proactively help identify (and help others identify) opportunities to use technology to drive program success, and translate ideas and vision into online strategy and tactics
• Support colleagues to find effective strategies/tactics to achieve their marketing and/or communications objectives, whether technology-based or not.
• Envision, recommend, and implement changes, as necessary, to ASF’s technology and strategy to strengthen online customer engagement and content delivery.
• Manage ASF’s database driven website and maintain a system to track, analyze, and report relevant intelligence to promote ASF content and reach ASF core audiences.
• Build the capacity of ASF’s staff members to use technology to effectively communicate with their core audiences.
• Conduct regular research to stay up-to-date on the newest trends for websites, social media, and e-mail marketing efforts and incorporate findings to ensure that ASF stays ahead of the curve in its online presence.
• Understand user needs and behaviors.
• Serve as liaison with external communications-related technology vendor/consultants.
• Working in close partnership with MarCom team members who manage our blog and social media efforts, develop and execute continuing marketing efforts to grow our online audiences (members, prospective members and other key customers).

Skills and Qualifications

• Experienced user of databases with a solid understanding of database architecture (association management systems preferred).
• Experience in the area of marketing and communications; a demonstrated ability to implement both technology and non- technology based solutions to reach, engage and activate various ASF core audiences.
• Experienced user of Web Content Management Systems (e.g., Expression Engine, Wordpress).
• Understands web taxonomy, usability factors, Search Engine Optimization, best practices in writing for the Web.
• Familiar with basic web development tools: HTML, CSS, Photoshop or other image editing software.
• Experience identifying and managing outside vendors.
• Ability to work on everyday details with an eye towards long-term strategy.
• Superior customer service skills; top-notch troubleshooting for members/customers.
• Ability to present technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Highly collaborative and team oriented in nature.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in marketing a nonprofit, association, and/or for-profit organization with similar staffing and revenue profiles.

Salary and Benefits

This is full-time position located at ASF’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Salary is commensurate with experience. ASF offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package including vacation and sick leave, health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and transit subsidies.

Application Instructions

Applications received by February 8th, 2012, will receive full consideration, but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please send resume with cover letter including salary history/expectations to hr@smallfoundations.org and include “Manager, Communications & Technology” in the subject line. Although we value initiative, we are unable to field calls about this position.

ASF is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.