Director of Communications - Military Veterans

The Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research invites applications for the full-time, benefit eligible position of Director of Communications.

The Collegeville Institute?s history is woven within the Benedictine heritage of Saint John?s Abbey and University and the worldwide ecumenical movement. Bringing unlikely conversation partners together for dynamic gatherings about faith in the modern world is at the center of our story. We invite you to learn more about our history, our role in the ecumenical movement, notable people from our history, and the first-person method founded at the Collegeville Institute.

Located on the campus of Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN, Collegeville Institute is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that contracts with the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB) for employees and employee services.

The Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, rooted in Christian tradition, brings together people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to foster the world?s healing through the power of religious ideas, insight, and practices.

Reporting to the Executive Director the Director of Communications is responsible for the organization?s branding, marketing, media, and communications strategy to advance the Collegeville Institute?s mission. The Director of Communications will ensure that the Collegeville Institute is viewed as the region?s most trusted place for diverse faith leaders to engage religious ideas, insight, and practices to foster the world?s healing. The Director of Communications is a member of the senior leadership team and will partner closely with the Director of Development and Executive Director on a variety of strategic initiatives.

Please visit https://collegevilleinstitute.org/ to learn more about the Collegeville Institute.1. Strategic Communications Plan: Work to create overall brand and media strategy.
a. Work with Executive Director, board, and outside advisors to implement a unified vision and strategy to advance the Collegeville Institute?s mission and brand.
b. Create a media engagement plan to cultivate opportunities that proactively educate the public about our programs and publications.
c. Create an evaluation program to look at newsletters, social media subscribers, and other areas of communication.
d. Develop a yearly evaluation for staff to report to the communications director on how their department?s needs are being met.
e. Design and create all Collegeville Institute?s marketing print and electronic materials, (brochures, postcards, newsletters, bookmarks, etc.).

2. External Relations: Identify possible cohort partners among LEI-funded organizations and build relationships for collaboration on best practices and strategies.

3. Digital: Lead the organization?s digital strategy and ensure that Collegeville Institute's digital tools including email, social media (paid and organic), and website effectively support the organization?s goals, including fundraising and public engagement.

4. Coordinate Internal and External Messaging and Content: Work with organizational leadership to align Collegeville Institute?s messages and communications channels by creating an annual communications plan. Collaborate with staff to craft messaging and content related to all aspects of Collegeville Institute?s work by leading weekly internal communications calls.

5. Donor Communications: Implement a donor communications strategy in partnership with Director of Development, including fundraising events, appeals, newsletters, annual reports and other messaging for fundraising campaigns.

6. Alumni Relations: Create and implement an alumni relations plan in partnership with Development (Donor Relations/Stewardship) and the Executive Director to include recruitment for current and new programming as well as cultivating stewardship. Identifying and disseminating insights from the Collegeville Institute?s major programs.

7. Budget: Develops and manages the communication and marketing budget to reflect the Collegeville Institute?s priorities in partnership with the Executive Director and Business Manager.

8. Board Communications Committee: Work closely with board communications committee to fulfil its charter by overseeing new communications initiatives (podcast, video series) and evaluation of communications strategies.

9. Earned Income Opportunities: Help design and promote the publicity and marketing related to for-profit programs intended to diversify Collegeville Institute?s income streams, including
a. In-person and virtual programs, year-long writing cohorts led by author facilitators, and a CI anthology on the craft of writing, showcasing workshop participants, faculty, and resident scholars.

1. Minimum of a BA or equivalent of 5 years job-related work experience.
2. Strong communications experience ideally in a broad-based social media environment in a socially responsible organization.
3. Demonstrated experience in communication strategy, planning and innovation.
4. Technical
? Ability to write and edit HTML and CSS
? Extensive experience managing a mid to large size WordPress website, including custom posts, such as events and publications.
? Background in digital video preferred.
5. Design
? Proven experience in graphic design (digital and/or print). Proficiency using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator or equivalent software programs.
6. Social Media / Outreach
? Understanding of how to use and analyze data from Google Analytics.
? Proven experience using X, Facebook and other social media outlets to engage constituents.
? Experience managing lists and campaigns in MailChimp (or equivalent electronic mailing software).
7. Writing / Editing
? Proven ability as a writer and editor.

ADDITIONAL REQUISITES:

? Project an image of service and hospitality with a public face of the Collegeville Institute.
? Ability to interact with the community of the Order of Saint Benedict and the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John?s University, with which the CI works in close collaboration.
? Ability to acquire an understanding of the character and Mission of the Order of Saint Benedict.
? Help create and foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
? The personal safety and health of each employee is of primary importance in our operation. Each employee has the responsibility to prevent accidents and injuries. The Order of Saint Benedict and its employees have the responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and departmental regulations related to safety and health.

The work of the Collegeville Institute is based on convening different voices and life stories. This focus and practice have resulted in extraordinary testimony through writing and the arts, in pursuit of our stated goal of contributing to ?the healing of the world.? We will continue to challenge our own practices and systems in order that the inclusive environment we seek be incorporated into our decisions. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.