Communications & Advocacy Director

Old Colony YMCA•Brockton, MA

About The Position

The Communications & Advocacy Director develops clear, consistent communications that strengthen Old Colony YMCA’s brand, advance its mission, and build understanding. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, this role is a key member of the Marketing & Communications team and leads day-to-day public relations and organizational storytelling while coordinating advocacy activities across the association. The position works with executive staff and departments, branches, and social service programs to communicate with internal and external audiences. It also supports crisis communications and helps maintain productive, nonpartisan relationships with government officials. The role requires travel within southeastern Massachusetts and occasional attendance at meetings or events outside regular business hours. Applicants are asked to complete the online application and send a cover letter to Michael Ricci, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and at least 1–3 years of relevant experience.
Exceptional writing, proofreading, and editing skills, with accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to synthesize complex ideas into coherent, compelling communications materials.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse environment.
Highly developed time-management skills and the ability to plan, control, and lead projects and meet deadlines.
Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
Ability to articulate the unique points of difference of the organization’s services.
Thorough understanding of social media outlets.
Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive, emerging, or high-visibility matters.
Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Enterprise tools and emerging technology.
Ability to travel within southeastern Massachusetts and attend occasional meetings or events outside regular business hours.
Complete the online application and send a cover letter to Michael Ricci, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs.

Responsibilities

Develop consistent written materials for internal and external constituents in collaboration with executive staff, Human Resources, Mission Advancement, Marketing, Finance, Information Technology, branches, and social service programs.
Lead media relations, including press releases, press kits, media alerts, public service announcements, op-eds, interview preparation, press events, and proactive relationship-building with reporters, media outlets, and online communities.
Develop content that can be accessed by large language models and monitor the frequency and accuracy of responses across major AI platforms.
Monitor news, public issues, and emerging developments that may affect Old Colony YMCA, and provide timely summaries, analysis, and recommended communications responses.
Develop speeches, talking points, briefing materials, testimony, presentations, and correspondence for executive staff and other organizational representatives.
Work with Marketing and program teams to create mission-centered content for the website, social media, newsletters, annual reports, campaigns, and other channels.
Build and maintain a storytelling library featuring participant impact, community partnerships, staff expertise, and the Y’s role as a charitable organization.
Coordinate advocacy and government relations, including legislative priorities, public funding requests, site visits, meetings, events, and follow-up with elected officials and government staff.
Maintain productive, nonpartisan relationships with municipal, state, and federal officials and connect policymakers with Old Colony YMCA programs, leaders, and community impact.
Support crisis communications by gathering facts, preparing draft messages, coordinating review, monitoring coverage, and maintaining consistency across channels.