Regional Communications Director

We are committed to the diversity of our workforce and to delivering our programs and services in a culturally competent manner reflecting the communities we serve. Our work environment is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive with a focus on building allyship and a culture of belonging that empowers all team members. Come to learn, grow, and succeed while sharing your passion for making a difference.

The Red Cross supports a variety of cultural and community resource groups for employees and volunteers. From the Ability Network, our Asian American & Pacific Islander Resource Group, the Latino Resource Group, and Red Cross PRIDE, to the Umoja African American Resource Group, our Veterans+ Resource Group, and the Women's Resource Group, these networks provide connections, mentoring and help give voice to important concerns and opinions. At the American Red Cross, your uniqueness can shine!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview):

The Regional Communications Director will guide and oversee communication, media, and public relations activities to drive business objectives and results, publicize the mission of the Red Cross, support revenue generation, and educate the public about how to access Red Cross services. Establish and maintain strong media relationships to drive positive media and brand exposure. Provide strategic leadership to counsel, influence, and manage communications processes and technologies. Collaborate cross-functionally to provide communication and marketing support as needed. Provide support, development and/or leadership guidance to all volunteers. This person will serve as an important component of the American Red Cross regional leadership team. The Director will work in close collaboration with the Regional Executive, Division Communications Director, Field Marketing, Development, Disaster Cycle Services, Service to the Armed Forces, Biomedical Services, Health and Safety, Executive Directors and Volunteer Services teams to provide communication and marketing support.

WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE GOOD (Key Responsibilities):

• Leadership: Develop and execute a strategic communication and public relations plan that is aligned with the organizational communications and marketing strategies to support service delivery and revenue generation efforts across all lines of business. Identify and leverage communication opportunities and provide input to develop marketing and communication strategies.

• Strategy: Develop and execute an effective communications strategy to respond to support requests. Support development and implement strategic and change management communications to align with internal and external communication initiatives.

• Media Relations: Lead regional communications team and collaborate with regional executive, executive directors and others to execute determined media relations strategy, including maintaining excellent media contact relationships, news release writing and distributions, pitching, etc.Respond to local media inquiries by coordinating interviews and providing Red Cross approved information, as appropriate.Required to serve as a Red Cross spokesperson, train and prepare staff and volunteer spokespersons throughout the region, review support requests, and develop and execute an effective communications strategy. Experience writing for media/public relations, websites and social media is required. Knowledge of Associated Press Style Guide requirements is required. Experience with media monitoring is preferred.

• Public Affairs and Crisis Communications: Lead regional (and potentially national) disaster public affairs activities.Provide training to regional disaster public affairs volunteers.May be required to deploy to support disaster response operations outside of home region or may be tasked to conduct public affairs volunteer training and development across the division. Experience conducting training in media relations and crisis communications is preferred. Experience deploying to disaster response events is preferred.

• Social Engagement: Lead and implement a social media engagement strategy for the region that reflects the regional priorities in alignment with the enterprise-wide social media strategy. Produce relevant local content for regional web and social platforms. Experience in developing content, to include written messages, photos, videos/video editing is preferred. Experience with Sprout Social is preferred.

• Marketing Support:Lead region integrated campaign/program development in collaboration with Field Marketing and Regional Financial Development. Encourage staff to be trained on and use Brand Central, our internal brand-approved marketing asset platform. Experience with content management systems such as Constant Contact and websites is preferred. Experience working with templated marketing materials is preferred.

• Internal Communications: Support development of strategic and change management communications. Experience in creating, reviewing, and distributing internal communications is preferred.

• Volunteer Engagement: Lead the regional communications director in building, engaging and supervising a regional communications and disaster public affairs volunteer team. Experience with selecting volunteers, coaching/training volunteers, managing volunteers, and ensuring volunteers remain engaged is preferred.

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Scope

Interpret and administer policies, process, and procedures that may affect sections and subordinate units.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Minimum Qualifications):

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, journalism, Public Relations, or related field required.

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and related experience required.

• Management Experience: 3 years of management experience.

• Skills & Abilities: Outstanding oral and written communication skills required, with proven knowledge of AP Style. Ability to manage experienced professionals and fully proficient in work and industry. Strong organizational, multi-tasking skills with ability to meet deadlines. Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with Cision/TrendKite or other media monitoring software. Experience managing professional social media accounts. Strong teamwork and collaboration required. Willingness to serve as a media spokesperson required, experience as a spokesperson preferred. Ability to work on a team.

• Travel: Travel may be required 10-25%. A valid driver's license is required.

*Combination of candidate's education and general experience satisfies requirements so long as the total years equate to description's minimum education and general experience years combined (Management experience cannot be substituted).

Physical Requirements

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 sit; use hands to handle or feel;and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The work environment will consist of moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones and printers, light traffic). The employee must have the ability to work in asmall cubicle andhave the ability tosit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

BENEFITS FOR YOU:
We take care of you, while you take care of others. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive benefits help you in balancing home and work. With our resources and perks, you have amazing possibilities at the American Red Cross to advance the learn.

* Medical, Dental Vision plans

* Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts

* PTO + Holidays

* 401K with 6% match

* Paid Family Leave

* Employee Assistance

* Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term

* Service Awards and recognition