Senior Communications Specialist

JOB PURPOSE:

Employ Milwaukee’s Senior Communications Specialist is a core member of the planning, development and communications team, serving as a storyteller, creator and graphic designer for agency content for social media, digital communications, promotional materials, public relations, official correspondence, research and white papers, local and regional plans, committee reports and other planning products. This role will involve designing and creating creative assets, maintaining brand and compliance guidelines especially online and in visual materials while optimizing digital marketing efforts. The Senior Communications Specialist will collaborate with internal teams to ensure brand consistency and alignment with organizational goals. The Senior Communications Specialist will stay informed on non-profit and workforce development trends and best practices, provide photo and/or video coverage for programs and special events as needed, and support special initiatives across department teams. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, plan and implement digital marketing strategies aligned with agency goals to drive awareness, engagement and fund development for the agency. 
• Design and create physical and digital assets/collateral materials including, but not limited to, flyers, social media posts and graphics, website banners and graphics, online registration forms, annual reports, newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, miscellaneous reports, and other necessary materials as requested. 
• Manage the agency’s social media accounts, posting content, engaging followers, and monitoring comments/discussion/messages.
• Review, update and manage content on the agency’s website alongside planning, development and communications team to ensure accurate, timely messaging and optimize online presence. 
• Track social media, website and search engine metrics and mentions, adjusting strategies to maximize stakeholder engagement.
• Assist in development of public relations projects including press releases and media story pitches.
• Assist in development, preparation, analysis and maintenance of various planning documents, which may include annual program plans, committee reports, plan revisions, grant applications, RFPs and evaluation reports. 
• Coordinate with program, business solutions, community engagement staff and external stakeholders to ensure that Employ Milwaukee has a diverse, robust collection of high-quality photos for digital and print purposes. 
• Collaborates internally and externally to ensure brand consistency and alignment with organizational goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

KEY ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Strong project management skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to write social media content, articles, reports, business correspondence, and procedure documents for diverse audiences.
• Strong oral communication skills with the ability to speak effectively, present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients and/or customers. 
• Experience and interest in graphic design. 
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with cross-departmental teams.
• Ability to work with digital marketing data and population-level data with the ability to identify problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. 
• Experience collaborating successfully across teams and organizations on a variety of projects with deadlines. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Graphic Design, Journalism or a related field.
• Experience and/or Training 3–5 years of experience in content creation, digital marketing, and design
• Licenses/Certificates None
• Technology/Equipment Microsoft Office, Graphic design (Canva preferred), Social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok), Social media management software(Hootsuite preferred), CRM systems (NeonOne preferred), CMS systems (Titan preferred)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Graphic Design, Journalism or a related field.
• Experience and/or Training 5+ years of progressive experience in content creation, digital marketing, and design
• Licenses/Certificates Digital Marketing Institute Certification
• Technology/Equipment Microsoft Office, Graphic design (Canva preferred), Social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok), Social media management software(Hootsuite preferred), CRM systems (NeonOne preferred), CMS systems (Titan preferred), U.S. Census data, labor market information tools (Lightcast, JobsEQ, Wisconomy)

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds while moving files or small packages. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. May occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting.

Salary Range: $60,000.00 to $65,000.00 Annually