Senior Communications Associate

The Ford Family Foundation•Roseburg, OR

4h•$87,000 - $92,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Communications Associate advances The Ford Family Foundation’s mission, voice, and visibility by developing, implementing, and improving integrated communications strategies that strengthen engagement with key audiences and elevate stories from rural communities. Reporting to the Communications Director, this role leads social media strategy and digital engagement while contributing to communications planning, digital storytelling, content development, and brand stewardship. The position partners with program, policy, learning, and leadership teams to communicate the Foundation’s investments, partnerships, research, policy priorities, and impact. It requires an experienced communications professional who can independently manage complex initiatives, apply strategic judgment, and collaborate effectively across the organization. The role is based in Roseburg, Eugene, or a rural Oregon community, with preference for Roseburg or rural Oregon. Roseburg- and Eugene-based employees work a hybrid schedule requiring at least three days per week in the office. For employees based in rural communities, regular in-person presence is expected, with frequency determined by location and role needs. The position is exempt and offers an annual salary of $87,000–$92,000, depending on experience. Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, digital engagement, social media management, marketing, public relations, journalism, or related communications work.
Demonstrated experience independently developing, executing, and evaluating organizational social media strategy across multiple platforms; social media expertise is essential.
A strong portfolio demonstrating social media strategy, digital storytelling, excellent writing, platform fluency, audience awareness, visual judgment, and measurable engagement outcomes.
Experience developing editorial calendars, integrated campaigns, platform-specific content, community-management practices, and social media performance reporting.
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex information and tailor content for diverse audiences.
Ability to use analytics and audience insights to evaluate effectiveness, exercise judgment, and recommend communications improvements.
Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines with ownership and limited day-to-day direction.
Working knowledge of website content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media management and analytics tools, accessibility practices, search optimization, and common communications technologies.
Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, personal integrity, and a collaborative, service-oriented approach aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the Foundation cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
Ability to meet the in-person work expectations associated with the selected work location.

Nice To Haves

Experience creating communications for nonprofit, philanthropic, rural, community-based, or public-interest organizations is preferred.
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a portfolio, communications work samples, and/or examples of social media content calendars, campaign plans, or similar materials.

Responsibilities

Lead social media planning, implementation, and ongoing management across platforms, ensuring content supports organizational priorities, audience goals, and brand standards.
Develop and maintain social media editorial calendars, content plans, and campaign strategies that elevate Foundation priorities and rural community voices.
Create, edit, and publish written, visual, and multimedia content tailored to platform-specific audiences and goals.
Monitor audience engagement, platform trends, emerging issues, and digital communications practices, and recommend ways to strengthen the Foundation’s digital presence.
Manage social media audience engagement and community management, using sound judgment in public interactions and responses.
Design and execute digital campaigns supporting Foundation initiatives, research, publications, partnerships, events, and announcements.
Serve as an internal subject matter expert on social media and digital engagement, advising Foundation staff.
Collaborate with program, policy, learning, and leadership teams to identify, develop, and publish stories about the Foundation’s mission, investments, partnerships, and impact.
Translate complex programmatic, policy, research, and organizational information into clear, compelling, accessible communications for diverse audiences.
Manage website updates and enhancements to keep content current, accurate, and aligned with Foundation priorities.
Coordinate content development with external vendors, contractors, photographers, videographers, and creative partners as needed.
Contribute to communications planning and develop digital communications plans, campaigns, and content approaches that advance Foundation priorities.
Ensure communications align with approved messaging, brand standards, tone, voice, accessibility requirements, and community-centered communications principles.
Manage communications projects and digital campaigns from concept through implementation, coordinating timelines, approvals, dependencies, and deliverables.
Identify emerging communications opportunities and recommend approaches that increase awareness, engagement, and mission impact.
Define, track, and evaluate digital communications metrics across social media, website, email, and other channels.
Analyze audience behavior, content performance, engagement trends, and platform effectiveness to inform communications decisions.
Develop reports and actionable insights to guide communications priorities and strategy.
Use analytics and audience insights to recommend improvements to content strategy, audience engagement, channel use, and campaign performance.
Test, evaluate, and implement new approaches, tools, and practices to strengthen digital communications effectiveness.
Build and maintain working relationships across Foundation departments and participate in cross-functional teams and communications planning.
Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive collaborative work environment.
Participate in Foundation meetings, trainings, retreats, and professional development opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrate mission alignment, initiative and problem-solving, collaboration, accountability, learning, and adaptability in daily work.