Communications Officer

Job Description

About the Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private philanthropic foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low income in American cities. With an endowment of approximately $4 billion and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.
 
About the position
The Communications Officer manages a portfolio of communication products and responsibilities that bring awareness to the external priorities of the Kresge Foundation. These responsibilities include but are not limited to: (1) Providing primary communications support for programmatic departments; (2) Researching, creating, and developing content to enhance external understanding of Kresge’s mission, grantmaking, investing and impact; and (3) Developing and implementing communication plans and projects that promote the priorities and goals of the Kresge Foundation.
 
Primary responsibilities

• Bring the full complement of communications tools – traditional, digital, social, and event management – to create and deliver high-impact communications strategies, plans, products, and deliverables to external audiences.
• Serve as the communications lead for the assigned portfolio of responsibilities and Program/Practice areas.
• Seek to deepen expertise in the communications field to inform decision-making and project execution and effectiveness.
• Identify, research, and write news stories, press releases, case studies, presentations, etc. for the foundation’s website to promote understanding of Kresge’s mission, grantmaking and investing.
• Identify, capture and package new knowledge generated by Program or Practice teams for sharing within their respective fields, with the sector and with mainstream audiences.
• Write columns and opinion pieces for the foundation president, executive team and assigned leaders, as needed.
• Gain proficiency with digital media projects and strive to enhance digital skills for conceptualizing multi-media, web, and audio products, as well as creating scripts and producing videos.
• Collaborate with the digital team to maintain a consistent visual identity.
• Support Kresge grantees and partners with their communication needs, which may include providing advice, reviewing, and editing press releases, research reports and other materials; as well as coordinating or assisting with media and other events, as necessary.
• Provide research and communications project support for the External Affairs and Communications Office as needed.
• Provide regular updates to the Director and Deputy Director on project developments and status.
• Prudently manage resources and demonstrate a commitment to fiscal stewardship.
• Prioritize tasks and quickly adapt to changing needs and requirements.
• Assist with copyediting, fact checking and ensuring the quality of Kresge-branded materials.
• Embody Kresge values in both professional and personal behavior.
• Exhibit consistency, dependability, and reliability.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field. 
• A minimum of five years of corporate communications experience; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Demonstrated news judgment, writing, researching and interviewing skills. Ability to accurately translate complicated technical and/or scholarly information to sector and mainstream audiences using clear, accessible prose.
• Experience with content-management systems, social media, search engine optimization, and Web-based technology.
• Demonstrated ability to write compelling stories for print and digital presentation.
• Demonstrated professional maturity and ability to use professional judgement, manage information confidentially, and apply discretion.
• Solid interpersonal skills; ability to participate in collaborative project teams and coordinate deliverables/deadlines throughout all phases of a project.
• Thorough knowledge and practice of Associated Press style.
• Ability to juggle tasks, quickly adapt to changing needs, and meet deadlines.
• Experience with video production and scripting desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on projects and assignments.

 
This position is full-time. The starting salary for this position begins at $128,253.00 per year. Individual offers will be based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.
 
The application deadline for this position is Midnight EST on May 11, 2024. Please attach a cover letter for consideration for this position. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
This position is located in Troy, Michigan and currently has a hybrid schedule.  Tuesday and Wednesday are the standard in-office days, however, there may be times when you will have to adjust the days based on work needs.
 
This position requires occasional travel for foundation activities, events and professional development activities.
 
Some of the benefits include:
 

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Half day Fridays
• 401k and 401k matching
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life, accident and disability insurance

 
Kresge is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
 
The Kresge Foundation participates in E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States. For more information on E-Verify and to know your rights please click here.

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