Employment Opportunities

Communications & Events Manager Job Description

Position: Full Time – 40 hours per week
Compensation: Competitive Salary & Benefits Package
Job Location: Lebanon County, PA
Reports to: Executive Director
Open Until Filled

United Way of Lebanon County's long-term goal is to permanently reduce the number of families and individuals below an affordable living standard in our communities. We will achieve this by:

• Connecting families to community resources and programs to help them improve their economic self-dependence.
• Removing barriers to learning for our most vulnerable children because education is the path to self-dependence.
• Giving all of Lebanon County children a strong start in life.

By providing pathways to education and financial stability that create better opportunities for everyone, United Way of Lebanon County (UWLC) is making our community a better place to live, work, and thrive. It’s more than a job. It’s a mission and a passion. Come work with us!

Job Summary:  The Communications and Events Manager is responsible for devising and implementing plans for the PR, marketing, fundraising communication and events necessary for the organization to pursue its mission of convening community, promoting collaboration, and developing resources and solutions to strengthen the Lebanon County community.

This role is community-facing and results oriented. It requires a high-energy, values-driven individual who has a track-record of building strong community relationships. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional professionalism and passion for the UWLC mission and Impact Focus Areas.
Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Executive Director. This position does not manage any direct reports at this time.

Other Key Relationships:

External: Community volunteers, donors / funders, grantees, regional nonprofits, community leaders, faith-based groups, state and local government agencies, public at-large, United Way Worldwide and service vendors.

Internal: Board Officers, Committee Chairpersons, Members, and a staff Administrative Specialist.

Essential Job Functions:

Social Media, Digital and Graphic Design:

• Continuously update and optimize both the design and content on the UWLC website, social media platforms, printed materials and e-communications.
• Develop and implement a social media plan to enhance UWLC’s brand and increase community engagement in UWLC’s signature programs, fundraising campaigns and events, and PR / awareness-building events.
• Design marketing and fundraising materials in house and work with vendors as needed - for media such as videos.

Communications and Marketing:

• Coordinate and execute ongoing donor and volunteer acknowledgment / recognition process to continuously expand our base of donors and volunteers.
• Develop storytelling strategies and content for blog, newsletter, video, social media, and Annual Giving Campaign collateral in collaboration with other UWLC team members, volunteers and grantee organizations.
• Write, proofread, design and produce communication pieces that support organizational, campaign, program, and other fundraising / marketing initiatives.
• Develop and ensure adherence to brand guidelines in compliance with United Way Worldwide standards.
• Write and distribute communication (press releases, advisories, e-communications, etc.).
• Participate in cross-functional activities in support of organizational goals.
• Perform other duties as required under the direction of the Executive Director.
• Continuously improve work processes while achieving performance outcomes.

Event Planning and Coordination:

• Plan, coordinate and execute Campaign, other fundraising, Signature Program and PR / awareness-building events.
• Recruit volunteers for both UWLC and other community organizations by managing UWLV’s Volunteer Lebanon Portal.
• Recruit, equip and train volunteers to support the Annual Campaign, Day of Caring, VITA, and other initiatives that connect donor interests with UWLC programs, agencies, and volunteer opportunities.
• Track and report volunteer hours contributed to both UWLC and other community events for which UWLV recruits volunteers.
• Acknowledge / recognize volunteers for their contributions of time and talent.
• Design, develop and manage a UWLC Ambassador program.

Additional Job Functions: Employee may also be responsible for the following from time to time:

• Oversee and report progress on assigned projects.
• Assist with major projects, such as the annual Campaign, grant review / writing, and workforce campaign presentations and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies:

The following competencies are required to perform the essential functions of this position:

• Strong Organization and Time Management:  Ability to design and continuously improve workflows and manage duties and tasks with optimal efficiency and effectiveness.
• Strategic Collaborator: Engage diverse stakeholders to assess community needs - accurately and effectively with credibility, authenticity and humility - that strategically guide UWLC to contribute to the community's priorities.
• Effective and Engaging Communicator: Strong and passionate writer and verbal communicator with ability to articulate the UWLC message in a way that inspires others to act and give in service to the organization and community.
• Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving: Ability to address and manage complex issues to achieve desired results, including ability to gather, interpret and use relevant data to drive communication and event strategy, create effective messages, make good decisions and achieve goals.
• Planning and Implementation: Leader and take initiative in planning and developing initiatives within United Way Community Impact Focus Areas to achieve results that drive collective community outcomes.
• Embracing and Managing Change: Champion and facilitate change by adapting successfully to evolving UWLC and community needs while maintaining positive relationships with all constituents, internal and external.
• Strategic Thinking and Planning: Ability to think long-term, tying together the current operations with a more long-term, strategic focus.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations or related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in managing communications and events, preferably in a non-profit organization.
• Minimum three years of experience managing organizations’ social media platforms and content.
• Minimum three years of experience planning and managing events and recruiting and coordinating volunteers.

Preferred Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and experience working in the Lebanon Valley.
• Experience with fundraising, including workforce and direct mail campaigns.
• Experience with AP Style writing and editing, graphic design and photography.  
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft 365 Suite, database programs and Drupal web content management platform.
• Experience with ADOBE Design, Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Project management experience, including meeting demanding deadlines; working within budgets; managing multiple projects; working independently and in a group.

General Physical Requirements: Ability to use a computer, stand for prolonged periods, lift 25 pounds to carry materials and engage in event set up / tear down are required.

Transportation: Valid driver's license, current vehicle insurance and access to reliable transportation are required.

Work Hours: Weekdays with occasional early mornings, evenings and weekends. The position allows for some remote work, but consistent presence in the Lebanon County community and at the United Way office is required.

BENEFITS:  
United Way of Lebanon County provides a competitive benefits package.  
United Way of Lebanon County is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, advanced education, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws.
To apply, please submit cover letter and resume via email to bmiuccio@unitedwaylebco.org with "Communications & Events Manager" as the Subject line.

To apply, please submit cover letter and resume via email to bmiuccio@unitedwaylebco.org with "Communications & Events Manager" as the Subject line.