Communications Manager

Company: LEDC Minnesota

Location: Saint Paul, MN

Job Function: Marketing/PR


Background

LEDC aims to transform our community by creating economic opportunities for Latinos. We envision a region and state with a thriving multicultural community enriched with Latino leadership, culture, and economic influence. Our overarching goal is to help Latinos achieve economic prosperity through entrepreneurship and small business development. Since its inception in 2003, LEDC has earned its place as a trusted partner for Minnesota’s Latino and immigrant communities, providing education, lending, and technical assistance to small businesses in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. We are a Latino-led, fully bilingual organization, rich in lived experience and nuanced understanding of our clients,…

Summary

The Communications Manager is responsible for articulating LEDC’s mission, vision and work, and leads the work to implement communications strategies that advance the organization’s goals. The Communications Manager is not a supervisory position but is a highly collaborative position.

The Communications Manager is the lead writer and storyteller for the organization and stewards the organization’s brand to ensure that messages and materials – online, printed and other media – are of high quality and aligned with organizational goals. They will be a key member of the team working to build support for the organization, especially by developing written content and marketing materials that highlight opportunities to support and share our impact. They work closely with coworkers to identify communications opportunities and strategies. The role reports to the Director of Development and Communications at LEDC and supports LEDC partner East Side Employment xChange.

Responsibilities

Communications Planning and Operations (25%)

  • Manage content creation and implementation of a strategic communications plan for the organization that targets investors, donors, public sector decision-makers, community partners, media, and other stakeholders
  • Develop and maintain an overall annual communications calendar for the organization
  • Manage relationships with outside vendors (graphic designers, brand consultants, printers) andoversee their work to ensure high-quality products that align with the LEDC brand and message
  • Identify and implement communications opportunities throughout the year that further the LEDCstrategic goals and highlight important work of the LEDC and partners
  • Track and report on metrics related to communications goals and strategies

Content Creation and Storytelling (25%)

  • Act as the lead writer and storyteller for the organization, ensuring that the voice and key messages for the LEDC and ensure that they are reflected in all external communications
  • Identify and write stories that highlight LEDC’s mission, work, and impact and that of our partners
  • Create content to support various organizational activities including grant applications, capital-raising strategies, policy work, and thought leadership
  • Produce exceptional external written products, including the Annual Report, supporter updates,electronic newsletters, and other publications
  • Produce high-quality digital content (website, social media) consistent with the LEDC brand andcommunications strategy
  1. Marketing, Visibility, and Branding (20%)
  • Manage the LEDC brand and style guidelines, ensuring that LEDC materials have a uniform look, feel, and voice
  • Oversee design, production, and distribution of print and electronic communications and organizational materials, including newsletters, brochures, and reports
  • Oversee and implement digital, radio, and print advertising that aligns with strategic marketing objectives and reinforces brand.
  • Oversee management of digital photograph portfolio, including organization of digital files and coordinating photography opportunities

Development (15%)

  • Assists with creating development-related communications, including grant proposals, reports to funders, funder appeals, and fundraising campaigns
  • Assists with cultivation and stewardship of donors through a variety of communication tools including, but not limited to; email, letters, social media communications
  • Participates as a member of the Development Team to develop and implement strategies to build support for the LEDC

East Side Employment xChange Communications (15%)

  • Develops and implements a calendar of consistent and timely external communications through e-newsletters and social media
  • Manages the organization’s website content and design
  • Coordinates with East Side Employment xChange employees and volunteers

Requirements

  • At least three years of relevant experience preferred.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
  • Excellent story telling skills, with the ability to tie research and data to stories
  • Understanding of digital platforms such as WordPress, Salesforce, MailChimp, LinkedIn, YouTube,and other social media platforms
  • Skills in designing templates, graphics, and desktop publishing for online and print production
  • Strong organizational and project management skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
  • Problem-solving orientation and solution mindset
  • Professional skills in writing for a variety of audiences, including news and feature articles
  • Ability to write/edit in a variety of writing styles and draft materials on a wide range of topics
  • Strong editing and proofreading skills
  • Ability to translate complex technical language and ideas into language easily comprehensible tothe different organization constituencies
  • Interpersonal skills to facilitate work with a wide range of individuals and groups from culturallydiverse communities
  • Self-starter, able to work independently and take initiative
  • A creative and innovative strategic thinker
  • Demonstrated ability to exhibit sensitivity to and respect for differences and to work with diverseaudiences and constituencies
  • Ability to represent the organization well to the public
  • Ability to reach audiences necessary for partnering and expanding the organization client base.

Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual in Spanish and English. General knowledge of the Twin Cities Metro and Greater Minnesota and its Latino population. Knowledge of CDFI financial assistance and technical assistance awards and other federally sourced grants.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a salaried position. Candidates must be able and willing to be flexible and work some evenings and weekends as needed.

  • Full time, 40 hours a week
  • Salary: $55,000 – $60,000 + excellent benefits
  • Benefits: 100% employer paid health and dental insurance for employee and for family members
  • Life insurance
  • Employer matched retirement account
  • Paid time off, sick leave, vacation and holidays, including parental leave

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to careers@ledcmn.org and include Communications Manager: [your name] in the subject line. We expect to begin interviewing candidates on the week of September 11-15. LEDC is an Equal Opportunity employer.