Communications Director

Position Summary

The Communications Director provides strategic leadership for the New England Annual Conference's communications, marketing, media relations, editorial, and digital engagement efforts. The Director develops and implements integrated communications strategies that advance Conference priorities, strengthen relationships across districts and local churches, and communicate the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Working in close partnership with the New York Annual Conference Director of Communications, the Director helps ensure coordinated messaging, consistent standards, and effective storytelling across the New Hope Episcopal Area. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Foundational Leadership Expectations

· Develop and maintain annual communications plans and consistent editorial calendars aligned with Conference priorities, key dates, major events, and Episcopal Area initiatives.

· Apply strong project management skills to coordinate multiple concurrent communications initiatives, timelines, contributors, approvals, and deliverables across the Episcopal Area.

· Demonstrate strong public-speaking and interviewing skills when conducting interviews, gathering content for articles and profiles, facilitating media opportunities, and representing the Conference in public-facing settings.

Essential ResponsibilitiesCommunications Strategy and Leadership

· Serve as the primary strategist for communications and communications marketing efforts for the New England Annual Conference.

· Work with the Bishop, Cabinet, Connectional Ministries leadership, and other Conference leaders to identify priorities and establish direction for communications efforts.

· Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated strategies for Conference news, public relations, promotion, advertising, social media, web content, and internal communications.

· Collaborate with the New York Annual Conference Director of Communications on Episcopal Area strategies, campaigns, shared initiatives, workflows, and editorial priorities.

· Develop and administer the communications budget and recommend resources needed to accomplish approved priorities.

· Set high standards for creativity, accuracy, accessibility, production quality, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Editorial Leadership and Original Content

· Serve as senior writer and editor for Conference communications and publications.

· Write, edit, and produce substantial original content, including news articles, feature stories, clergy and lay profiles, announcements, executive communications, and other materials, while maintaining a consistent editorial voice.

· Conduct interviews and gather information from clergy, lay leaders, congregations, ministry partners, and Conference leadership.

· Edit materials produced by departments and ministry teams to ensure accuracy, clarity, grammar, style, accessibility, and alignment with brand standards.

· Adapt and version content for print, email, web, social media, video, podcast, and other delivery platforms.

Media Relations and Crisis Communications

· Maintain the Conference's public relations function and establish active relationships with secular, denominational, interfaith, and community media.

· Develop and oversee news releases, media advisories, public statements, press conferences, and media outreach that support Conference priorities and announcements.

· Provide media training and counsel to Conference leaders for local, statewide, and national media engagement.

· Lead external crisis communications in coordination with the Bishop and appropriate Conference leaders.

· Develop and implement internal crisis communication protocols for timely, coordinated communication with clergy, congregations, Conference staff, districts, and other key constituencies.

· Coordinate crisis messaging and response practices with the New York Annual Conference Director of Communications when matters affect the Episcopal Area.

Digital Media Design and Analytics

· Lead social media and web content strategy and collaborate with appropriate staff on implementation and publishing.

· Create compelling, platform-appropriate content for social media, the Conference website, email communications, and digital campaigns.

· Demonstrate strong ability to create a range of on-brand graphics using tools such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and other production tools.

· Maintain and uphold New England Annual Conference and Episcopal Area brand standards across communications channels.

· Use website, email, and social media analytics to evaluate performance, identify audience trends, inform strategy, and improve engagement.

· Stay current with communications practices, emerging platforms, accessibility expectations, and changes in audience behavior.

Video Production

· Record, edit, and executive produce short-form and occasional long-form video content for social media, the website, Conference events, and other approved uses in accordance with established brand and editorial standards.

· Plan video concepts, production schedules, interviews, scripts, recordings, approvals, post-production, captions, and distribution.

· Coordinate video projects with the New York Annual Conference communications team and other internal or external production resources when appropriate.

Podcast Production

· Develop and produce podcast content for the Conference, including planning episode topics, researching content, recording, editing, and managing distribution across podcast platforms.

· Operate and maintain the Conference's podcasting studio and associated equipment.

· Coordinate guest outreach, scheduling, preparation, releases, and recording logistics for podcast episodes.

· Maintain editorial, audio-quality, accessibility, brand, and archival standards for podcast content.

Event Audiovisual and Livestream Support

· Represent Communications in event-planning settings and provide counsel on program presentation, audience engagement, production workflows, and communications needs.

· Oversee communications production for Annual Conference sessions, educational events, and other major gatherings, serving as executive producer when assigned.

· Provide livestream support and post-production editing for online Conference events and other gatherings hosted through Conference Zoom rooms, as needed.

· Develop and help execute event-specific communications and social media campaigns.

Photography and Digital Archives

· Provide or coordinate event, editorial, and ministry photography, including image selection, basic photo editing, captioning, permissions, and publication preparation.

· Develop and maintain an organized, searchable photo, video, audio, and communications archive that supports current storytelling and preserves important Conference history.

· Establish consistent file-naming, metadata, permissions, retention, storage, and retrieval practices for communications assets.

District and Departmental Partnerships

· Partner with district superintendents and local church leadership to identify stories, build communications relationships at the district and local church level, secure district content contributors, and ensure Conference-wide coverage reflects the full geographic and ministry diversity of the Conference and the priorities of the Episcopal Area.

· Collaborate across departmental and Conference lines to develop content, select effective distribution methods, and support missional priorities.

· Provide communications counsel, planning assistance, skills-building opportunities, and training to Conference departments, districts, congregations, and ministry teams.

· Identify, equip, and sustain a network of communications contacts and contributors across the Conference.

· Work with the New York Annual Conference communications team to share resources, coordinate coverage, and strengthen communications capacity across the Episcopal Area.

Team Leadership and Quality Assurance

· Direct and coordinate the work of communications staff, vendors, contractors, and contributors assigned to communications initiatives.

· Provide clear assignments, timelines, editorial direction, coaching, and performance expectations for communications work.

· Provide professional development and training opportunities that strengthen the skills and formation of direct reports.

· Collaborate with the New York Annual Conference Director of Communications on proofing, quality assurance, production standards, shared resources, and brand consistency.

· Create an environment that supports creativity, innovation, problem solving, accountability, and respectful collaboration.

Other Duties

Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the mission, priorities, and operations of the Conference and the New Hope Episcopal Area.

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, media, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

· At least five years of progressively responsible communications experience, ideally within a nonprofit, faith-based, or mission-driven organization.

· Demonstrated strength in strategic communications, project management, writing, editing, interviewing, public speaking, media relations, digital communications, and content production.

· Proficiency with social media platforms, website content management, email communications, analytics, Canva, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

· Experience producing or overseeing video, podcast, livestream, photography, and event communications projects.

· Supervisory or team-leadership experience, including the ability to direct staff, vendors, contractors, and cross-functional contributors.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, approvals, and deliverables with accuracy and sound judgment.

· Ability to train, facilitate, and communicate effectively with people of varied roles, backgrounds, and levels of technical experience.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

· Understanding of and respect for the Christian faith, the mission of The United Methodist Church, and the Conference's commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

· Familiarity with United Methodist Church organization and polity, or the ability to develop that knowledge promptly.

· Willingness and ability to travel, work occasional evenings or weekends, and hold a valid driver's license.

· Ability to carry or lift up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

· Safe Gatherings certification, or the ability to obtain certification within a timeframe established by the Conference.

Preferred Qualifications

· Eight or more years of progressively responsible communications experience, including supervisory, senior-management, or director-level responsibility.

· Communications experience within a nonprofit, faith-based, denominational, membership, or mission-driven organization.

· Accredited in Public Relations, Accredited Business Communicator, Religion Communicators Council accreditation, or another relevant professional credential.

· Experience collaborating across multiple organizations, regions, departments, or geographically dispersed teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises and directs the work of contracted vendors, freelancers, and other contributors supporting communications initiatives.

Accountability

This position is supervised by the Director of Connectional Ministries and works in close collaboration with the New York Annual Conference Director of Communications.

Core Competencies

Strategic communications Editorial leadership Project management Writing and editing Speaking and interviewing Media relations Digital and social media strategy Multimedia production Brand stewardship Analytics Crisis communications Collaboration Training and facilitation Creativity and innovation Organization and follow-through

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position routinely uses a computer, audiovisual and production equipment, and standard office equipment and requires regular communication by phone, email, and video conference. The position requires travel and the ability to carry or lift up to 25 pounds. Event coverage, production work, and work outside regular business hours may be required. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person