Communications Director

Job Title: Communications Director

Department: Development/Administration

Reports To: Development Director

FLSA Status: 1.0 FTE, Exempt

Salary Range: $88,000 – $94,000 Starting salary is dependent on demonstrated years of equivalent experience.

Organization Description:

Founded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN) offers New Americans quality services that support their journey to stability and success. Our comprehensive offerings include refugee resettlement, English education, workforce and leadership development, college preparation and immigration and citizenship assistance. We are a diverse team of knowledgeable and encouraging advocates, ready to welcome refugees and immigrants. We support thousands of families and individuals each year by providing English classes, and helping them secure jobs, buy homes, become United States citizens, and become valued members of the community.

Purpose:

The Communications Director leads the organization’s communications, public relations, marketing, brand management and media relations strategies to increase awareness of its mission, programs, and impact. This role provides creative, and timely responses to the changing immigration landscape and develops clear messages and content for diverse audiences. The director guides program marketing and leads rapid response communications, manages budgets, external contractors, and supervises the Marketing and Social media Coordinator. This position reports to the Development Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications Responsibilities (approx. 50%):

• Collaborate with the Development Director, Executive Director, and leadership team to set goals and objectives that increase awareness of the organization’s mission, programs and results. Monitor and report on effectiveness of plan objectives and goals.
• Provides leadership, creative direction and timely response to fast-changing immigration policies and its impact on Institute clients, students and Minnesota’s immigrant communities.
• Develop and implement training for all Institute staff to consistently communicate the organization’s mission and programs; and reinforce key messages with organization audiences.
• Writes, edits, and maintains content for: Monthly e-newsletter, website, annual report, media releases, public presentations, and special events, including speeches and emcee script.
• Manage program budget, and external contracts for website hosting, marketing strategy, digital marketing, photography, graphic design, event video production and other vendors as needed.

Media Relations and Public Outreach (approx. 15%):

• Provide leadership for Rapid Response Plan deployment at times when humanitarian emergencies and immigration policy changes require urgent responses and the deployment of significant resources.
• Directs media relations and develops key messages.
• Crafts and updates core messages and public presentations for Institute spokespersons and stakeholders. Support the development and training of organization spokespersons.
• Represents the organization at public events.

Marketing and Social Media Responsibilities (approx. 35%):

• Supervise Marketing and Social Media Coordinator.
• Lead the adoption of brand standards across organization.
• Direct the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator’s efforts to increase awareness of the organization’s mission, programs and results.
• Set strategic direction for client marketing with support from external consultants and staff coordinator.
• Design graphics, create, update, and maintain printed and digital marketing materials and public facing presentations using Canva and Power Point.
• Other duties as assigned by development director.

Qualifications:

The Communications Director should have at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, English, communications, or a related field and a minimum of ten years’ work experience in communications or public relations. Two years of additional work experience in a similar environment would be considered as a substitute for a bachelor’s degree.

Candidates must be:

• Effective time manager, able to consistently drive projects and meet deadlines.
• Highly skilled in writing and editing.
• Have a sense of urgency in understanding the changing immigration policy landscape.
• Creative, problem solver, and excellent communicator.
• Proficient in WordPress, Mailchimp, Google Analytics 4 and Google Ads Manager.
• Experienced in a wide array of social media and SMS marketing applications.
• Sensitive to privacy and professionalism in working with agency clients.

Preferred experience:

• Knowledge of U.S. immigration policy, human rights, or related topics.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment and with individuals with limited English proficiency.

Physical Demands:

• Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.

EEO Statement:

International Institute of Minnesota values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, New Americans apply. IIMN is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

To Apply:

Submit your application at https://iimn.org/careers. Applicants are required to include a cover letter, resume and three professional writing samples. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. No phone calls or walk-ins please. Position is open until filled.

Pay: $88,000.00 - $94,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person