DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

To develop, implement and execute strategies for marketing, communications, and public relations that support the brand and ensure a positive and consistent image; increase mission impact and increase stakeholder engagement, including employees and financial donors; drive greater profitability through increases in donor and shopper activity. Achieves department objectives through the effective utilization of department assets and organizational funds. This position is eligible for a 10% discretionary, performance-based annual bonus.

Uphold a positive work environment that follows Goodwill's Amazing Customer Experience (ACE) culture, Values, and Mission in everything you do and every interaction you have with co-workers, clients, customers and management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist members of the Leadership Team in the development of an annual Communication and Marketing Plan and coordinate the implementation. Develop and manage short and long-range communications objectives and strategies which support the organization's mission, vision, and values. This duty is performed weekly, about 10% of the time.

2. Directs programs and sets objectives for all marketing and communications activities, advertising, brand management, media relations, digital media, and internal communications to accomplish organizational objectives.  Oversees and designs effective social media campaigns for Goodwill Industries of Arkansas. Oversees all public relations efforts including writing news releases, pitching stories, coordinating interviews and use of media monitoring systems. Oversees a system of performance measurement (analyzing market trends) that reflects the progress toward achieving the annual and strategic objectives of the Marketing and Communications Department in support of annual organizational goals.  Measure ROI on campaigns and initiatives and produce the applicable reports. This duty is performed weekly, about 10% of the time.

3. Supervises all phases of production and marketing of all communications material that represents Goodwill to its key public stakeholders:  newsletters, brochures, websites, digital and social media, annual reports, advertisements, etc. This duty is performed weekly, about 20% of the time.

4. Oversee special events, community education, facility tours, speaking engagements, etc. which include guest lists, physical arrangements, invitations, programs, and publicity. This duty is performed weekly, about 20% of the time.

5. Participates in relevant community events and organizations to enhance Goodwill's visibility and to make professional contributions in areas supportive of Goodwill's mission. Serve as a staff resource person with CEO for Ad Hoc Marketing Task Forces of the Board.  Serve as one of the spokespersons of the organization to communicate the mission and services to potential users, members of the media, government officials, businesses, the general public, and current and future employees. This duty is performed monthly, about 10% of the time.

6. Maintains Speaker Bureau and assists the President/CEO, VP, and board members, when necessary, in preparing letters, position papers, and other official GIA public statements. This duty is performed weekly, about 5% of the time.

7. Develop and cultivate collaborative relationships with local and regional stakeholders such as: schools; community groups; businesses; and agencies in support of our Mission and to increase donations. This duty is performed weekly, about 10% of the time.

8. Supervises and is responsible for all Goodwill marketing and advertising campaigns and initiatives, coordination and handling of all media buys, media relation activities, and brand management. This duty is performed daily, about 5% of the time.

9. Works with SVP in the development and execution of special projects, and the preparation of the annual budget for the department and operates within confines of that budget. This duty is performed as needed, about 5% of the time.

10. Provides required reports to the Executive team documenting progress toward defined goals. This duty is performed monthly, about 5% of the time.

11. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Broad knowledge of such fields as accounting, marketing, business administration, finance, etc. Equivalent to a four year college degree, plus 7 years related experience and/or training, and 5 years related management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and understand the most complex documents; ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style; ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Bachelor's degree - Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Business or other directly related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Not indicated.

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

Advanced: Word Processing/Typing

Intermediate: Presentation/PowerPoint

Basic: Database, Spreadsheet

INITIATIVE AND INGENUITY

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general supervision where standard practice enables the employee to proceed alone on routine work, referring all questionable cases to supervisor.

PLANNING

Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and/or sequence of performance of own work, in addition, the work operations of a group of employees, all performing basically the same type of work.

DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of minor importance and also frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance, either of which would affect the work operations of large organizational component and the organization's clientele.

MENTAL DEMAND

Very close mental demand. Operations requiring very close and continuous attention for control of operations which require a high degree of coordination or immediate response. Operations requiring intermittent direct thinking to determine or select the most applicable way of handling situations regarding the organization's administration and operations; also to determine or select material and equipment where highly variable sequences are involved.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING

Oversight. Activities covered by expansive policies and objectives, and oversight as to execution and review. High order of analytical, interpretative, and constructive thinking in varied situations covering multiple areas of the organization.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities may include but not limited to interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Supervises a moderate size group (8-15) of employees, but possibly smaller if difficult, semi-technical work, requiring considerable direction and assistance, is involved. Plans, directs and coordinates work, makes decisions, and performs personally the more difficult aspects of the same broad assignment.

Supervises the following departments: Marketing & Communications

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT

Occasionally responsible for organization's property where carelessness, error, or misappropriation would result in moderate damage or moderate monetary loss to the organization. The total value for the above would range from $5,000 to $150,000.

ACCURACY

Probable errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and could possibly affect organization-patron relationship, involve re-work, or additional expenditures in order to properly resolve the error. The possibility of such errors would occur quite frequently in performance of the job. May also cause inaccuracies or incomplete information that would be used in other segments of the organization as a basis for making subsequent decisions, plans, or actions.

ACCOUNTABILITY

FREEDOM TO ACT

Directed. Freedom to complete duties as defined by wide-ranging policies and precedents with mid to upper-level managerial oversight.

ANNUAL MONETARY IMPACT

The amount of annual dollars generated based on the job's essential duties / responsibilities. Examples would include direct dollar generation, departmental budget, proper handling of organization funds, expense control, savings from new techniques or reduction in manpower.

Small. Job creates a monetary impact for the organization from $100,000 to $1mm.

IMPACT ON END RESULTS

Moderate impact. Job has a definite impact on the organization's end results. Participates with others in taking action for a department and/or total organization.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Extensive contacts with various diversified sectors of the public environment; wherein, the contacts are of major importance and failure to exercise proper judgment can lead to substantial losses to the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

Contacts with other departments or offices and also frequently with individuals in middle level positions; consulting on problems which necessitate judgment and tact in presentation to obtain cooperation or approval of action to be taken. Also, important contacts with associates as required in advanced supervisory jobs.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Occasional use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal working conditions as found within an office setting, wherein there is controlled temperature and a low noise level, plus a minimum of distractions.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Moderate diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which are not as varied as those positions with high-level diversity and decision-making.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk or hear; frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; and color vision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Some overnight in-state and out-of-state travel is required.

Background check required

Must have an acceptable driving record.

Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

Working knowledge of the Internet; ability to update and maintain web-based applications.

Demonstrated experience reading, analyzing, and interpreting documents.

Demonstrated proficiency in the research, development, and writing of policies, procedures, and work instructions.

Demonstrated experience effectively presenting written and oral information to different varied audiences.

Ability to meet people with ease.