Posted on February 5, 2013

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Manager of Communications and Events

The Hyde Square Task Force is an award-winning youth development and social change organization. Through high-quality arts, and academic and leadership programming, HSTF serves over 1000 youth in the Hyde/Jackson Square area of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. Our mission is to develop the skills of youth and their families so that they are empowered to enhance their own lives and build a strong, safe, and vibrant urban community.

Position/title: Manager of Communications and Events, full-time staff position, reports to the Senior Advisor of Strategy and Development and will work closely with the Manager of Individual Funding and Sponsorships and the Special Projects and Team Administrator.

Supervision Responsibilities: Create and manage volunteer committees as appropriate.

Job summary: HSTF is expanding its scale and impact and is now creating a team to increase its visibility and community of individual donors and corporation sponsors. This is a terrific opportunity for experienced, creative and highly motivated professionals to play a key role in shaping this new team.

The Manager of Communications and Events will report to the Senior Advisor and work with the team and the Directors to create high quality communications materials, messages and successful events. The Manager will also be responsible for ensuring consistency in messaging throughout the organization and at all events. S/he will be responsible for writing and producing organizational communications materials and publications such as newsletters, annual reports, and event publicity. Other responsibilities include the strategic use of media relationships, creating and maintaining a lively online presence, and incorporating appropriate social media tools. The Manager will support individual funding efforts through materials production, appeals and specific funding events. The Manager will work closely with the Senior Advisor of Strategy and Development and the team to create annual and strategic plans and budgets and will produce quarterly and annual reports based on those plan s.

Primary job responsibilities:

Events:

• Responsible for planning and executing key organization-wide events.
• Create detailed information sheets and trainings to support staff, youth, volunteers and Board in their roles at major events.
• When appropriate, create and manage volunteer committees to help with events.
• Promote all events on the website, social media channels, through partners, and electronically.
• Create new events to expand and deepen our community of friends and supporters.
• Provide program staff with design and media support for events.
• Prepare regular reports for the Directors and the Board.
• Ensure the organization-wide calendar of events is maintained and updated.

Communication:

• Ensure consistency of messaging throughout the organization.
• Help launch new web site and maintain overall website and content management system. Create and carryout plans to increase online presence.
• Identify and manage appropriate social media tools and manage all email and web-based communications including research, copywriting, basic design, and website updates.
• Responsible for creation and production of major communications projects including Annual Report, appeals and all organization event materials including brochures, postcards, and fliers.
• Responsible for providing up-to-date and high-quality photos for publications and materials, and managing the production of videos and multimedia content.
• Support Executive Director and others Directors in all interactions with media contacts, pitches, and follow-up outreach. Conduct press outreach and prepare press releases when requested.
• Create graphics and other design elements as needed.
• Coordinate staff, youth, and Board trainings so all organizational representatives can effectively present HSTF to various constituents in appropriate situations and venues.
• Support staff, youth, and Board in creating messages electronically and through printed materials when appropriate.
• Manage administrative details related to communications and events including: creating mailing lists, media hit files (Google Alerts, printing and maintaining paper files and maintaining electronic files), keep updated media contact list, archive photos, printed materials, and video, manage the HSTF YouTube page.
• Manage vendor and consultant relationships.
• Support communication materials for Capital Campaign efforts when appropriate.

Individual Donor Support:

• Working closely with the Manager of Individual Funding and Sponsorships, insure all events provide opportunities for cultivation and/or donor stewardship.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years related work experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Two to three years of professional writing experience; grant writing experience a plus. Must possess the ability to write in a clear, concise, and compelling manner for different audiences.
• Possesses very strong computer and social media skills. Web page development a plus but not imperative.
• Graphic design experience required. Proficiency with InDesign preferred. Or experience with other graphic design software and the ability to learn InDesign.
• Experience working with event venues, vendors, consultants, media, and volunteer committees.
• Ability to work independently, taking initiative and meeting high expectations, as well as working as part of a team, communicating well, and supporting others. Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously and effectively in a fast-paced environment, able to respond quickly to new opportunities, solve problems and achieve results.
• Highly organized, productive, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize.
• Sense of humor.
• Creative.
• A commitment to the organization's mission and values.
• Bilingual / bicultural candidates appreciated.
• Prior experience with a non-profit organization preferred.
• Driver's license and car access preferred.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

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