Colorado Nonprofit Association

Communications Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

The purpose of this position is to ensure that Hearts & Horses interactions with our community have a consistent, positive, and professional brand throughout all communications and fundraising efforts. The Communications Manager will work in partnership with the Development & Communications Director to build and implement the organization’s overall communication/marketing strategies.

Essential Functions: 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Marketing & Communication (60%)

• Manages, creates and publishes content for Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn), YouTube, Monthly Newsletters & Development Campaigns. 
• Manages the HeartBeats Newsletter by collaborating with the Development team for monthly content generation, messaging, and implementation in Salesforce Marketing Cloud. 
• Collaborates with Development and Program staff to coordinate marketing and outreach messages and materials for print and social media to reach fundraising and program goals.
• Develops, updates and manages the WordPress website, including collaborations with external web designers and developers. 
• Manage the design and copywriting for marketing and development print pieces.
• Press release writing and distribution and communications with the press, including scheduling, coordinating, and giving interviews.
• Manages the digital communications calendar, collaborating with Development & Communications Staff to develop and update.
• Manages tracking systems for online marketing activities to improve upon results and analyze returns on investment.
• Develops video scripts and storyboards as well as speech writing for special events.
• Helps to promote the online merchandise store and Tack Shoppe, Lecture Series, equine and staff recruitment campaigns, research participant recruitment, PATH Intl. training, and other events and initiatives through strategic marketing.
• Supports external and internal communication efforts by contributing to general copyediting and copywriting across all departments.

Development (30%)

• Assists with updating, designing, and distributing all collateral related to Annual Fundraising Gala in partnership with Development staff and Gala Committee Volunteers.
• Assists the Silent Auction marketing by creating packages, supporting package descriptions, photo management, solicitation and management of auction items.
• Supports all activities required for fundraising campaigns, i.e. Colorado Gives Day, Giving Tuesday, Sweetheart of the Year, End of Year Appeal, etc.
• Assists with grant writing, editing and reporting as needed.
• Assists with donor stewardship and donor recognition.
• Promotes charitable third-party giving programs through external communications and marketing.

Other (10%)

• Represents H&H in a variety of capacities through excellent spoken and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Manage Media Repository in Google Drive.
• Participates in Staff Meetings to communicate priorities and successes with staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is responsible for the supervision of assigned volunteers/interns and ensures they follow established policies and procedures.

Competencies

• Communication proficiency
• Creative Writing Skills
• Graphic Design
• Decision making/sound judgment
• Initiative
• Strong organizational skills
• Problem solving/Analysis
• Time management
• Emotional Intelligence
• Customer service

Work Environment

The work is performed in the office, outside at the Hearts & Horses Ranch, or in public or other outdoor settings. The employee is subject to travel locally to meet with donors, community and business leaders and other organizations. The work hours will vary and may include days longer than 8 hours.

While performing the duties of this job, the Communications Manager may be exposed to airborne particles, and unpredictable equine behaviors and may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions on facility grounds to include wind, rain, hail, snow, and high heat index.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is also very physically active and requires the following:

Standing (presenting in front of community groups), walking (walking around property to give tours), bending/kneeling/stooping/crouching setting up tents and display booths, etc.), lifting/pulling/pushing (able to occasionally lift or move items over 50 pounds for items such as auction donations, set up display booths, etc.)

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Use of hands and fingers is required for opening/closing latches and gates on the Hearts & Horses property, computer typing, writing, etc.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position and hours of work are assigned by the Director of Development and Communications. Occasional weekends and evenings may be required as part of this position.

Required Education and Experience

• Degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, or related field
• Experience in graphic design, managing Social Media, Grant Writing, Websites
• Two years of experience in Public Relations, Marketing or related fields.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organization and time-management skills
• Strong technology skills, including MS Office, Google Suite, Salesforce, Adobe Suite and WordPress a plus, graphic design, video editing, and social media management software(s).
• Ability to work as a team player; exercise sound judgment; tactful and discreet
• Ability to work calmly under pressure in a casual but busy work environment

EEO Statement  

Hearts & Horses, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.