External Communications Specialist

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington•Portland, OR

5d•$25 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

We currently have a fantastic opportunity for a talented, forward-thinking individual who shares our vision of helping Girl Scouts change the world for the better. Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington seeks a motivated and collaborative external communications specialist. In this role, you’ll be an integral part of a fast-paced, project and results-oriented Communications team and work closely with teams responsible for fundraising and membership growth. You’ll be primarily responsible for sourcing, writing, and editing clear, engaging multi-media communications that advance Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington’s fundraising, membership goals, and impact. What You'll Do As the external communications specialist, you’ll be primarily responsible for sourcing content and for writing, editing, and producing clear, engaging communications that advance the council’s fundraising, membership goals, and impact. As part of the Communications team, you’ll work closely with the Fund Development and Community Engagement teams.

Requirements

At least seven (7) years of relevant education and experience, including:
At least three (3) years’ experience in fundraising communications/marketing or a related field.
At least two (2) years of writing and communications experience.
Education or experience with an emphasis in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations.
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Ability to work both independently and as a contributing member of a team.
Ability to work with diverse groups of people to accomplish goals.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and competing deadlines, including planning, execution, completion, and follow-up.

Nice To Haves

Experience with email platforms (e.g. Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Raiser’s Edge), website platforms (e.g. Adobe Experience Manager, WordPress), Customer Relationship Management software (CRMs, e.g., Salesforce), project management software (e.g. Asana) preferred, basic photo and video editing (Adobe Rush, social video tools, etc.), and social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn) preferred.
Spanish language skills (speaking and writing) strongly preferred.
CFRE certification or substantial experience in fundraising writing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the communications manager and department colleagues to implement communication strategies that advance the council’s overall fundraising and membership growth goals.
Collaborates with Fund Development and Communications colleagues to develop annual donor stewardship communication plans for various giving levels.
Drafts and edits effective fundraising content, including but not limited to direct mail, email, and social media communications, print collateral, website copy, and other donor acknowledgments.
Collaborates with Community Engagement and Communications colleagues to develop or customize integrated membership marketing campaigns.
Collaborates with graphic designer and social media specialist to ensure comprehensive interactive social media coverage specifically on topics related to fundraising and membership growth, and others as assigned.
Develops and maintains a working partnership with cross-departmental colleagues and volunteers that encourages the exchange of public relations and marketing opportunities, leverages local knowledge, and local knowledge, and positively promotes Girl Scouts.
Frequently travels to and participates in staff and volunteer-led events and troop activities (may occur outside of normal business hours) to source compelling, diverse phone-captured photo and video content and member and donor stories.
Prepares content for inclusion in donor communications and membership materials, including but not limited to basic photo and video editing, writing, and copyediting.
Collaborates with colleagues from the Communications, Community Engagement, and Fund Development departments to ensure storytelling is cohesive across various platforms, including web, email, and social media.
Maintains the Newsroom on the GSOSW website, creates email campaigns in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and provides backup Communications support on website, email, and social media platforms as required.
Maintains and applies expert knowledge of Girl Scout brand and fundraising communication best practices, and working knowledge of membership recruitment best practices to inform resource development.
Exercises discretion and good judgment, maintaining confidentiality regarding donor giving.