Director of Communications

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged in the child welfare system.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

Amara is seeing a Director of Communications to lead our communications strategy. This position reports directly to the Chief Development Officer and is a member of the Amara expanded leadership team. The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to advance Amara’s mission, brand and fundraising efforts. This role includes oversight of internal and external communications, media relations, content creation, and management of Amara’s digital presence. The Director of Communications will work closely with senior leadership and program teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals.

The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy to advance Amara’s mission, brand and fundraising efforts. This role includes oversight of internal and external communications, media relations, content creation, and management of Amara’s digital presence. The Director of Communications will work closely with senior leadership and program teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

External Communications
•    Design, implement, and execute an integrated communications plan to promote Amara’s mission, programs and initiatives.
•    Collaborate with leadership and program teams to ensure that communications strategies align with organizational priorities.
•    Identify key audiences and tailor messages to effectively engage supporters, partners, donors and the community. 
•    Develop and review an annual communications & editorial calendar across Amara’s discreet audiences in collaboration with staff, programs, and constituents.
•    Lead efforts to define and strengthen the organization’s brand, ensuring consistent messaging and visual identity across all platforms.
•    Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson, ensuring key messages are communicated effectively to the media, stakeholders, community partners and staff. 
•    Manage messaging framework and consistency of use across various channels to ensure brand coherence. 
•    Develop and implement social media strategies to increase engagement and reach on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
•    Analyze and report on website and social medial metrics to assess the effectiveness of digital campaigns. 
•    Manage content development (e.g., narrative stories, infographics, blog posts, presentations) for Amara’s website, blog, newsletters, and social media channels that provide engaging information about our work, results, and knowledge. Optimize visibility with key audiences.
•    Ensure Amara’s process to capture, catalogue, and share stories is implemented in coordination with development and program staff, and within Amara’s ethical story-sharing guidelines. 
•    Create marketing, communications, and fundraising materials in a variety of print and digital formats.
•    Lead fundraising event program design, partnering with fundraising and program staff and members of the community for compelling, ethical, and strengths-based storytelling. 
•    Develop and implement plan for working with news media outlets, and serve as the relationship manager
•    Direct the creation and use of marketing and communications materials in a variety of print and digital formats, such as brochures, press releases, articles, white papers, presentations, briefing documents, and web and social media content
•    Supervise website maintenance—ensure that new and consistent information (article links, stories, and events) is posted regularly, is engaging and is optimized for search engines. 
•    Oversee contracts and work of external resources (e.g., graphic designers, printers, videographers etc.).
•    Support external communications efforts with Amara’s Board of Directors.

Internal Communications
•    Provide counsel to senior leadership team on managing external and internal communications issues
•    Support internal teams to ensure outreach to the organization’s various audiences is consistent and effective
•    Manage employee communications to ensure that relevant messages are disseminated regularly

Outreach
•    Collaborate with the development team to create compelling fundraising campaigns and donor engagement materials.
•    Ensure all fundraising appeals, donor communications, program related materials, and event promotions are consistent with the organization’s messaging.
•    Support the program team’s outreach efforts by collaboratively creating materials focused on participant engagement

Leadership & People Management
•    Responsible for managing department budget in coordination with the finance team and Chief Development Officer.
•    Oversee contracts and work of external resources e.g., graphic designers, printers, etc.
•    Actively participate in Amara’s efforts to advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity, unlearn biases, and engage in the organization’s broader work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications:  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 7-10+ years in communications, public relations or related field, preferably in a non-profit setting.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful communications strategies.
• Proficiency in digital marketing, including website management, SEO and social medial platforms.
• Relationship builder with highly collaborative style; experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently while remaining flexible, strong project management skills.
• Commitment to ethical, strengths-based communications.
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters.
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Familiar with Adobe Creative Cloud services such as Illustrator + InDesign, social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram), WordPress, Search Engine Optimization, and email marketing software (e.g., MailChimp).
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity, and anti-racism:
  • Experience working in racially and ethnically diverse environments.
  • Demonstrated commitment to understanding and dismantling structural racial inequity.
  • Desire to further personal understanding of racial and social justice work.
• Experience supervising a team of up to 5 direct and indirect reports preferred.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management preferred.
• Knowledge of nonprofit communications best practices and trends preferred.

Education:  A bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management or similar field is highly preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This position will supervise designated communications staff and volunteers.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position with an annual rate of pay between $100,000-$124,999 depending on experience.  Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical, health, vision and dental insurance, 401k with a company match, life, and disability insurance. Amara supports a hybrid work schedule with flexibility to work from home. Some in-office time will be required for team meetings and all-staff events. Occasional travel between our King and Pierce County offices may also be required. Applicants that prefer to work on-site may do so at either our King or Pierce County offices. 

Criminal Background Check

Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. For specific requirements please feel free to contact the hiring manager or human resources.

Vaccination Requirement:

Amara requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodation.

To Apply

To express your interest in this position, please submit your resume and one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer