Brand and Communication Strategist

Hammer & NER•Wayzata, MN

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Brand and Communication Strategist brings Hammer & NER’s mission, story, and brand to life through clear, compelling, and consistent communications. The role develops content, manages communications channels, and executes integrated communications that engage employees, families, donors, partners, and the broader community. It stewards the development and implementation of the organization’s evolving brand, translating brand strategy into meaningful experiences and communications across the organization. The position leads content strategy and production, supports executive communications, manages sponsorships, and ensures digital channels and regular communications reflect the organization’s mission, values, and priorities. The role works across teams and with external partners to maintain consistent brand messaging and visual identity, create respectful and person-centered content, and strengthen awareness and connection with varied audiences. It manages internal and external communications, digital channels, sponsorships, and communications projects, using audience insights and performance data to improve results. Employees are expected to model and champion the organization’s core values of Person-Centered, Relational, Opportunistic, and Stewardship in support of people with intellectual and other disabilities. This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position reporting to the Chief Engagement & Philanthropy Officer. The typical schedule is primarily Monday through Friday during the day, with hybrid work available. Occasional flexible hours and days, including evenings and weekends, are required. Physical demands include frequent telephone use and repetitive typing, working at a desk and computer for 6–8 hours at a time, and lifting and carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Intermediate to advanced demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, content development, brand management, or a related field; nonprofit experience is preferred. Formal, informal, and cross-disciplinary experiences will be considered.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and channels.
Demonstrated experience managing digital communications, including social media, websites, and email.
Experience developing and executing content plans, editorial calendars, and integrated communications projects.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders.
Sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to handle confidential or sensitive information appropriately.
Ability to work independently, exercise initiative, and collaborate effectively across teams and leadership levels.
Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams with differences across race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and days, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Ability to use a telephone frequently and perform repetitive activities, including typing on a computer keyboard.
Ability to work at a desk and computer for 6–8 hours at a time.
Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting brand development, rebranding, or brand implementation.
Experience managing sponsorships, community partnerships, or brand activation.
Familiarity with email marketing, website content management systems, social media management tools, and communications analytics.
Experience developing accessible, inclusive, and person-centered communications.

Responsibilities

Steward the development and evolution of the Hammer & NER brand, coordinating internal stakeholders, external partners, and creative resources.
Lead day-to-day brand implementation and maintain consistent messaging, visual identity, and voice across communications, materials, and experiences.
Develop and maintain brand guidelines, messaging resources, templates, and tools.
Identify opportunities to strengthen brand awareness, understanding, and connection among employees, families, donors, community partners, and other audiences.
Manage brand-related projects, timelines, deliverables, and approvals in alignment with organizational priorities and the experiences of people supported.
Lead content strategy and develop an editorial calendar aligned with organizational priorities, audience needs, and key moments throughout the year.
Create, edit, and manage content about people supported, employees, families, community partnerships, and organizational impact.
Partner with organizational leaders and teams to identify stories, gather information, and create content that builds understanding, connection, and trust.
Ensure content reflects the organization’s voice, values, and commitment to person-centered, respectful storytelling.
Plan, write, and distribute internal newsletters, leadership messages, and other recurring communications.
Develop external communications, including news updates, community announcements, organizational milestones, and impact stories.
Support communications about organizational change, strategic initiatives, and emerging issues, ensuring messages are timely, coordinated, and audience-appropriate.
Manage and improve digital communications channels, including social media, the website, and email communications.
Develop channel-specific content plans and ensure content is relevant, accessible, engaging, and aligned with broader communications priorities.
Maintain website content and coordinate updates, improvements, and ongoing optimization.
Manage email communications, including audience segmentation, content development, scheduling, and performance reporting.
Evaluate and use communications technology to improve workflows, audience engagement, and communications effectiveness.
Monitor channel performance and use data, audience insights, and emerging opportunities to refine content and strengthen results.
Manage organizational sponsorships and related partnerships, coordinating opportunities, deliverables, timelines, and fulfillment.
Ensure sponsorships provide the intended visibility and engagement value in support of organizational priorities.
Manage multiple communications projects from planning through execution, balancing timelines, resources, approvals, and competing priorities.
Build working relationships across the organization to understand needs, align messaging, and deliver effective communications.
Coordinate external vendors, creative partners, and other resources as needed.
Establish practical processes, standards, and tools that support efficient, high-quality communications.
Track project outcomes and communications performance, and share insights and recommendations to improve future work.