Supervisory Director, Communications

United Way of Dane County•Madison, WI

22h•$61,400 - $72,000•Hybrid

About The Position

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community so all can thrive. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibility. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives – we work collaboratively with local nonprofits, individuals, families, lived experience experts, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to multiply impact and solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. As part of a global network while being local and autonomous, we are a nonpartisan organization that collaborates with leaders from all backgrounds to strengthen communities and expand opportunities for all. We serve as a cornerstone in our community, bringing together people and resources to create lasting change. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Purpose of Position: United Way of Dane County is responsible for private investment of fundamental health and human services that focus on moving families from poverty to financial stability. The Community Engagement & Marketing (CEM) Department of United Way of Dane County has a goal of creating experiences that engage and inspire everyone in Dane County to give, advocate and volunteer – mobilizing the community’s caring power. To support this vision, we employ strategies including marketing, communications, events, corporate and community volunteer facilitation and uplift the voice of the community to inform our work. The Director of Communications is a visionary storyteller and strategist who amplifies United Way’s mission, impact and community leadership across media, traditional and digital platforms and public narratives. Reporting to the VP of Community Engagement & Marketing, this position leads strategic and leadership communications, media relations and digital storytelling to build trust, deepen relationships and expand reach across diverse audiences. This includes developing narrative strategies, cultivating media partnerships, elevating brand and leveraging digital platforms for authentic, two-way engagement This leadership role supervises the activities of one direct report and their ongoing job responsibilities, including – goal setting, professional development, mentorship and performance reviews.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related filed – or equivalent experience.
7+ years of progressive experience in communications, media relations, or strategic storytelling.
Three years of supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to provide coaching, development and performance feedback and management.
Exceptional writing, editing, and narrative development skills across multiple formats and audiences; supported by a portfolio that demonstrates: Strategic storytelling and messaging campaigns Media relations and press materials (e.g., releases, talking points, op-eds) Examples of leadership impact (e.g., rebranding initiatives, crisis communications, or team-led campaigns)
Strong background in journalism, video production and storytelling – including writing, editing and news judgment; supported by a portfolio that demonstrates: Video or multimedia work (e.g., scripts, production samples, or short clips)
Strong digital and social media fluency, with a deep understanding of platform dynamics, algorithmic incentives and audience engagement strategies; supported by a portfolio that demonstrates: Digital and social media content (posts, campaigns, analytics summaries)
Demonstrated success in securing media coverage and managing media relationships.
Excellent organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to work inclusively and cross-culturally in a professional manner.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Media Relations Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy centered on storytelling aligned with organizational goals and community impact strategies.
Serve as the organization’s lead storyteller and writer – crafting clear, compelling narratives that translate complex community work into stories that mobilize support.
Create and provide executive-level counsel and writing support for major publications, events and CEO communications.
Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional media to secure earned media coverage, amplify initiatives and respond effectively to emerging issues.
Create media materials— including advisories, press releases, op-eds, speeches and talking points— and ensure message alignment and brand consistency.
Respond promptly to urgent media inquiries and time-sensitive communications.
Monitor and evaluate media coverage and sentiment using analytics tools to inform strategy.
Brand and Digital Media Lead and create United Way’s digital storytelling strategy and CEO’s social media presence with a storytelling-first approach that fosters engagement and growth.
Direct and produce impactful video storytelling – to include interviews, filming, editing and crafting narratives that demonstrate UWDC’s community value.
Create and oversee content across multiple channels — including website, press, social media, video, email and print — to ensure a consistent and engaging narrative.
Develop, post and monitor content across digital and social media platforms; evaluate performance to inform strategy.
Supervision and Department/Organizational Leadership Support the Vice President on department priorities as a member of the department leadership team.
Supervise, coach, evaluate and report on the activities of direct reports and their ongoing job responsibilities, including goal setting, professional development, and performance reviews.
Lead and mentor the communications team and staff to achieve excellence in storytelling and execution.
Foster a culture of equity, innovation, teamwork, excellence and well-being.
Attract, retain and inspire a diverse, mission-driven team committed to United Way’s values.
Capacity Building, Internal Collaboration & Organizational Support Provide media and storytelling training sessions to staff, board members and community ambassadors to ensure consistent, authentic messaging across audiences.
Collaborate across departments to align messaging and integrate communications strategies into organizational priorities.
Develop narratives that feature both institutional authority and individual voices — including staff, community partners and residents — to humanize United Way’s impact.
Represent United Way of Dane County professionally to the public, volunteers and donors.
Actively contribute as a member of the Community Engagement and Marketing team.
Participate in organizational activities, including key donor and community events, both during and outside standard business hours.
Serve on at least one internal organizational committee.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

In addition to salary, we offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package.
This includes health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
United Way contributes 8% of gross wages to a defined contribution retirement plan, which is fully vested after five years of employment.
Employees may also choose to contribute to a 403(b) retirement savings plan.
Our time-off benefits are designed to support work-life balance, including generous vacation, sick and personal leave, as well as 10 paid holidays annually.

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