In partnership with other members of the Help Me Grow (HMG) National Center, the Manager of Communications and Network Relations is responsible for designing and leading efforts related to communications and digital strategy that serve to increase brand awareness among key audiences, stakeholders, and constituents, in order to reinforce existing partnership and cultivate new strategic partners. Complementarily, the efforts led by the Manager of Communications and Network Relations will serve to ... more details
In partnership with other members of the Help Me Grow (HMG) National Center, the Manager of Communications and Network Relations is responsible for designing and leading efforts related to communications and digital strategy that serve to increase brand awareness among key audiences, stakeholders, and constituents, in order to reinforce existing partnership and cultivate new strategic partners. Complementarily, the efforts led by the Manager of Communications and Network Relations will serve to advance the strategic priorities of the organization by elevating visibility, understanding, and support for the HMG National Center’s advocacy and policy change agenda in order to promote transformational change in early childhood system building efforts across the country.
Increase the brand awareness of the organization among key audiences, stakeholders, and constituents
Increase recognition and regard of Help Me Grow National Center work and accomplishments
Advance the strategic priorities of each branch of National Center work - Working in conjunction with the leads of the five strategic growth priorities, offer consultation on how the various communication channels of the Help Me Grow National Center can best be used to: share information and updates with the Help Me Grow National Affiliate Network on each strategic priority, invite input and feedback from affiliates and partners, and/or establish and support adherence to new Network requirements or targets
Brand Management/Marketing: Project a compelling and consistent brand identity
Lead the branding, marketing, and digital strategy to promote the annual National Help Me Grow Forum
Promote engagement, participation, and contribution from Help Me Grow National Affiliate Network and partners in and to Help Me Grow National Center work and opportunities
Identify and support opportunities for synergy and mutually reinforcing communications and marketing opportunities with existing national-level partners.
Support and advance a unified voice, messaging approach, and visual branding across the Help Me Grow National Affiliate Network. Serve as the technical assistance provider regarding marketing, messaging, communications, and digital strategy for Help Me Grow affiliates
Identify and work to develop new and innovative strategic partnerships at the national-level
Position the Help Me Grow National Center through increased brand recognition and new strategic partnerships to capitalize on fresh sources of funding and other resources to increase reach, impact, and sustainability
Develop the Help Me Grow National Center’s marketing and Strategic Communications Plan
Develop the Help Me Grow National Center’s marketing and Strategic Communications Plan to advance Help Me Grow National Center strategic growth goals and strategies
Partner with each branch of Help Me Grow National Center to identify branch-specific strategic communications goals
Co-develop annual strategies for the each branch of Help Me Grow National Center and translate the strategies into tactical action items for execution by and with other Help Me Grow National Center staff
Ensure communications priorities across branches and leadership of the Help Me Grow National Center are synergistic and mutually reinforcing AND map to the Help Me Grow National Center’s 5 strategic priorities to promote growth
Analyze and evaluate the efficacy and impact of communications efforts and digital strategy
Oversee all external communication efforts, ensuring the consistency of messages across platforms and adherence to Help Me Grow National Center brand standards
Lead the development of and creation (when appropriate) of products and messages (e.g., writing or editing content, crafting project-specific communication deliverables, proposal development, etc.)
Streamline the operational interface with Liberty and/or any other communications and design vendors contracted by the Help Me Grow National Center
Support alignment and mutually reinforcing strategy with communications efforts of the Office for Community Child Health and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Position Specific Role Responsibilities
Planning, development and implementation of the HMG National Center’s marketing and communications strategies to advance the organizations reputation and visibility in the early childhood development and system building space
Advancing capacity building among the Help Me Grow National Affiliate Network
Expanding the Help Me Grow National Center’s constituents
Converting existing partners and the Help Me Grow National Affiliate Network to deeper levels of engagement
Promoting increased influence at the state and national-level to advance advocacy and policy change
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises the work of the Policy & Communications Specialist, and supports the supervision and management of related project and business. Communicates expectations, provides ongoing coaching/feedback, objectively assess and/or provides input to direct reports and other National Center staff’s direct manager(s).
Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of professional experience OR Master’s degree with 3-5 years of professional experience.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Communications and marketing strategy
Project management best practices
Web-based survey technology (e.g. SurveyMonkey)
Social media platforms
Website design software (e.g. WordPress)
Child health and/or development (preferred)
SKILLS:
Excellent written and spoken communication skills
Outstanding organizational/planning skills
Detail-oriented and efficient
Effectively multi-task in a fast environment
Analytical skills including data collection, management, and analysis
Computer literacy in PC Windows and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
Must be a confident communicator and presenter
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design, professional printing/publishing skills are essential, including ability to present concepts verbally
Must possess excellent organizational and planning skills
Superior project management and time management skills
A high degree of creativity
Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media
Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management
3+ years prior experience working in a marketing or communications role
Proven success designing and executing marketing and communications strategies and campaigns
Up to date on industry trends and able to stay ahead of the curve
Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines
Must be able to think analytically and strategically
Capable of working well as part of a team as well as independently
Great multitasker and capable of simultaneously managing multiple projects with different deadlines
Familiarity or experience working with communications and email marketing software is an asset
Superior written and verbal communications skills
ABILITY TO:
Demonstrate CCMC Core Organizational Competencies
Independently make procedural decisions
Interact with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Gather and analyze relevant data to guide process improvement
Organizing resources and establishing priorities
Ability to demonstrate CCMC Core Organizational Competencies
Function in a fast paced environment with flexibility and strong attention to detail
Sensitive to different cultural and social contexts, able to collaborate successfully with people from many different cultures
