Director of Communications

Description

Madison House serves as the volunteer center for University of Virginia students. The Director of Communications works closely with all Madison House staff and student leaders to execute marketing, programmatic, and development communications solutions to engage our audiences: the University of Virginia, the broader Charlottesville community, and our 40,000+ Madison House alumni. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Job Duties

Oversee all Madison House communications and marketing strategies and efforts 

• Co-develop and execute the organization’s communications strategy with the Executive Director and staff leadership
• Lead the communications intern team and curate a content pipeline that supports Madison House’s programs and goals for growth, brand visibility, and impact
• Lead content marketing strategy and oversee content development across a wide variety of formats and channels, including website, social media, video, blog, and other formats for email, print advertising, fundraising materials, and more
• Manage all content on www.madisonhouse.org and affiliated Madison House websites
• Manage social media on behalf of Madison House, including creating and posting shareable content, managing a budget for sponsored content to maximize engagement, overseeing follower acquisition (paid or earned), and coordinating with media consultant
• Coordinate the development of all print and digital publications including annual report, annual fund solicitations, brochures, newsletters, posters, and more by collaborating with outside graphic designers and/or by producing the work in-house
• Manage all email marketing on behalf of Madison House; create content for monthly volunteer e-newsletter and quarterly alumni, donors and friends’ newsletter using the Marketing Cloud platform and database of Madison House constituents, as well as other messages for alumni, donors, and student volunteers
• Coordinate Madison House master graphics, letterhead, and business materials by collaborating with outside graphic designers and/or producing the work in-house
• Develop and maintain consistency of Madison House visual image branding; evaluate Madison House branding on an on-going basis by implementing standards for print materials, t-shirts, social media images, media interviews, etc.
• Design and order Madison House promotional items such as t-shirts, signs, and bumper stickers with external vendors
• Coordinate, write, and distribute press releases and public service announcements.
• Provide communications support (promotion and amplification) for online and offline

Madison House events, including webinars, conferences, workshops and more

• Field, respond to and coordinate interview requests and requests for Madison House content for publicity use
• Develop and maintain relationships with contacts at local and University media outlets; work closely with media representatives so that Madison House is accurately and positively represented in media
• Integrate operations of communications plan with larger staff team on a daily basis
• Explore, test, and iterate new communications technologies and platforms
• Establish and track relevant key performance indicators, and assess marketing progress and needs quarterly

Partner with the Director of Advancement and members of the development team in annual fund communications and marketing efforts, and donor cultivation and stewardship initiatives

• In collaboration with the Director of Advancement, write and/or edit copy, design layout, and manage production timeline and relationship with external vendors and/or University Advancement for solicitation letters, invites, and Annual
• Create annual #GivingTuesday and BIG GIVE communications strategy in collaboration with Director of Advancement and execute marketing and communications initiatives associated with those two 24-hour periods of giving
• Work closely with the Director of Advancement on the promotion of the Campaign for Madison House, including print/digital solicitations, branding, marketing, and upkeep of the Campaign website.
• Perform Administrator functions in Marketing Cloud such as user management, profile configuration, and data extensions management.
• Develop and maintain email templates within Marketing Cloud.

Partner with the Madison House community engagement team and student leaders to support programmatic marketing and communications efforts

• Document Madison House programs with photography, video, and stories by making program site visits, coordinating with professional and/or student photographers/videographers
• Partner with programs team, Program Directors, and Head Program Directors during volunteer recruitment period each semester to copy-edit, publish, maintain and complete volunteer sign-ups
• Collect volunteer data from the community engagement team to maintain and update student records in the Advance database each semester and at the end of the academic year
• Work with programs team, Program Directors and Head Program Directors to maintain and ensure accuracy of programs’ content on www.madisonhouse.org
• Collaborate with programs team to staff and coordinate marketing efforts and promotional materials for Student Activities Fair, Homecomings, Days on the Lawn Resource Fairs, Summer Orientations Resources Fairs, The BIG Event and Program Director Summits
• Advise and support student-driven marketing and volunteer recruitment efforts
• Supervise and mentor communications and marketing student interns

Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience with at least two years of management experience.
• 2+ years of experience preferred in communications, public relations, marketing, or
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all organization

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in Communications/Marketing or related
• Intermediate to advanced Adobe Creative Cloud skills (particularly Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator), Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Squarespace website maintenance experience.
• Diverse economic, social, and/or cultural experiences.
• Experience working with college students or in a university setting.
• Madison House expects all current and new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Additional Info

Madison House is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Madison House employees are not employees of the state or of the University of Virginia. We are an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We offer a generous benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance, parental leave, employer contribution to a retirement plan, and a flexible hybrid work environment.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to abyfield@madisonhouse.org with “Director of Communications” in the subject line of the email.