Community Relations & Communications Manager (8597)

SALVATION ARMY A GEORGIA CORP•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Relations & Communications Manager serves as the strategic voice and face of TSA Austin, acting as the chief spokesperson and media liaison across Travis and Williamson Counties. This role is responsible for building civic and media relationships to foster philanthropic opportunities, translating brand strategy into measurable donor engagement and fundraising growth through storytelling and campaigns, and leading direct mail strategy with external vendors. The position also involves cultivating community partnerships with nonprofits, schools, churches, and civic organizations to identify volunteers, sponsors, and matching-gift partners, and championing the mission through community outreach initiatives to build trust and long-term donor relationships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Relations, Communication or a related field.
At least four years progressively responsible experience managing a public relations program.
Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Valid State Drivers License.

Nice To Haves

Experience in media relations and public relations.
Experience in fundraising and donor engagement.
Experience in community outreach and partnership building.
Experience in disaster services communication.
Experience in supervising staff.
Proficiency in photography and writing.
Knowledge of The Salvation Army's mission and Christian principles.

Responsibilities

Serve as the strategic voice and face of TSA Austin, acting as chief spokesperson and media liaison across Travis and Williamson Counties.
Build civic and media relationships to foster philanthropic opportunities.
Translate brand strategy into measurable donor engagement and fundraising growth using storytelling, campaigns, and community presence.
Lead direct mail strategy, working with external vendors to plan and produce locally-written, story-driven mail campaigns.
Cultivate and formalize new alliances with nonprofits, schools, churches, and civic organizations.
Identify volunteers, sponsors, and matching-gift partners to grow the pipeline.
Help lead quarterly community outreach and other initiatives to build trust and long-term donor relationships.
Plan, direct, monitor, and evaluate all internal and external media and public relations functions.
Serve as Public Information Officer for all disaster services of the Area Command.
Serve as liaison to all media, ensuring the desired message is communicated.
Take photographs and write articles covering Salvation Army events.
Supervise all aspects of the Area Command Development Department in the absence of the Director of Development.
Represent The Salvation Army to the press and public as chief corporate spokesperson.
Field and direct responses to all media-related inquiries.
Maintain a database of public relations contacts.
Develop ideas and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations, and other public relations activities.
Attend special events for the purpose of recording the event in photograph and writing.
Conduct research and develop a file of stories and testimonials.
Submit news and press releases of special Salvation Army events, meetings and projects to local media and Salvation Army internal media outlets.
Assist with the development of promotional or fundraising tools such as public service announcements, videos, brochures, posters, displays, etc.
Develop local public relations guidelines and procedures.
Assist and coach company staff with public speaking engagement, presentations, and preparation of articles for publication.
Work in cooperation with the Director of Development in developing and implementing training for officers and staff for media interviews.
Serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) for all disaster services for the Area Command.
Serve as representative to the local American Red Cross, City and County Disaster Planning and VOAD organizations.
Develop printed materials such as brochures, flyers, posters and other related matters.
Coordinate special mass mailings to the general public.
Prospect new donors.
Plan and coordinate media advertisements including local television, radio, newspaper coverage, outdoor posters and other related items.
Ensure that the image projected is in compliance with The Salvation Army standards and mission.
Evaluate appropriateness and effectiveness of public relations efforts.
Write and submit news and press releases to radio, television and print media.
Design, develop, write and prepare a regular newsletter for supporters.
Organize, develop and ensure an annual report is prepared.
Assist in the design and usage of Salvation Army web site and related social media and electronic communication mediums.
Develop contacts and relationships with media representatives to create opportunities for keeping The Salvation Army and its programs or services in front of the public and the not-for-profit community.
Seek opportunities for promotion of Salvation Army programs.
Create general awareness of The Salvation Army in the community.
Maintain communication with the DHQ PR division of the Development Department.
Prepare and conduct presentations for community and public relations groups.
Serve as Salvation Army spokesperson to groups at civic clubs, corporations, small businesses, colleges and universities, schools, other non-profits, and churches.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with volunteers and leaders of key organizations.
Manage volunteers and leaders to meet short and long-term goals of developing target market opportunities, creating organizational alliances and requesting financial support from constituents.
Identify, cultivate, recruit, motivate and coach all level volunteers to assist in obtaining organizational participation through sponsorships, matching gifts and other giving from organizations.
Plan and implement organization’s media relations strategies, policies, and procedures.
Evaluate the effectiveness of all strategies and make recommendations for change as needed.
Quantify results of media placement for Area Command for analysis, trends and management reports.
Develop crisis response in cooperation with the Area Commander and respond to negative publicity.