Director of Communications and Sponsorships
Organization and Position Profile: The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) is a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and collaborative nonprofit membership organization driven by the belief that strong local education foundations are essential for communities to close opportunity gaps and ensure educational success for the 3 million students in Florida’s public schools. The mission of the Consortium is to connect individuals, organizations, and financial resources to build the capacity and impact of member local education foundations in the state’s 67 countywide school districts. The Consortium is seeking a savvy, strategic and strong communications professional with the desire to become a key member of our small, but effective team. Event planning, media relations, donor relations, education and/or nonprofit experience are all a “plus” in terms of the ideal candidate.
Strategic Communications
· In consultation with President/CEO, develop and execute annual communications strategy, seeking opportunities to connect content to larger world of education and timely events while exploring new communications channels and cross-promotions.
· Protect and advance the organization’s brand, ensuring adherence to brand standards, style guide, and messaging toolkit for organization in all communications including reports, issue briefs, webinars, newsletters, social media, meeting materials and presentations.
· Proactively capture and share stories of impact that demonstrate the role local education foundations play in innovating learning, powering student and teacher potential and celebrating success to elevate the image of both the statewide organization and members.
· Promote Support Education and out of state university specialty tags, providing content and support for members, seeking cross-promotion opportunities with partners, tracking sales data and engaging members in sales strategies.
· Proactively seek opportunities for over-and-above positive exposure for the Consortium through earned media and strategic partnerships.
· Partner with President/CEO on crisis/controversy communication plans that align with organization policy.
· Support President/CEO with planning/executing the Consortium’s convening strategy with external stakeholders within priority areas. (e.g., events, webinars)
Legislative Advocacy
· Execute advocacy efforts for School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program in consultation with President/CEO, lobbyist team and Vice Chair.
· Coordinate Legislative Committee meeting agendas and follow up.
· Create marketing materials, advocacy tools and impact reports and integrate legislative and policymaker engagement in overall communications strategy.
· Support and coach individual members in developing positive relationships with their legislators, tracking connections, leveraging key connections and mobilizing members.
Partner Stewardship, Sponsorships and Events
· Major partners: Communicate impact of investments and support development and stewardship of funding partners through inclusion in overall communications strategy, storytelling and reports. Prepare social media toolkits for use by members as appropriate.
· Event/award partners and conference exhibitors: Responsible for exploring, developing and maintaining partnerships to meet budget goals.
· Marketing Partnerships: Develop and manage grassroots marketing programs between partners with appropriate offerings and member education foundations.
· Conferences and Events: Act as key member of the ConnectED planning team and take the lead on planning and executing annual Legislative event at the Florida Capitol.
· Provide communications support for all events in preparation of invitations, presentations and materials.
Ongoing Communications Functions
· Write press releases, reports, fact sheets, scripts and prepare presentations for webinars, events and conferences.
· Develop content calendar, write and design monthly external e-newsletter Foundation Forum and.bi-monthly internal Member Memo e-newsletter.
· Ensure appropriate sponsor and partner recognition and manage the schedule and proof of documentation in accordance with grant and sponsorship agreements Develop naming conventions and system for archiving photos, graphic assets, and proof of performance for sponsor recognition by Consortium and members.
· Develop and execute social media plan with a minimum of three posts weekly
(Current platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
· Keep website fresh and up to date through blog, new content and re-purposed content from newsletters, issue briefs and reports.
· Support member development in communications and marketing by facilitating bi-monthly learning community calls with members and coordinating 2-3 workshops annually at Consortium in-person conferences or virtually.
· Act as point of contact for other communications-related contractors and vendors (graphic designer, videographer, website company).
Perform other duties as assigned by the President/CEO.
Key Attributes and Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:
· Self-starter with exceptional written and verbal communication skills who maintains high professionalism and integrity in all interactions.
· Proactively seeks solutions, addresses new challenges and opportunities for growth.
· Utilizes strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential to success.
· Easily adapts to changing priorities and demands, prioritizes effectively, and works effectively with a team.
· At least ten years of experience in communications, marketing, public relations and/or donor relations.
· A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, nonprofit management, English or other appropriate field.
· Experienced user of MS Office, Outlook, Word and Excel.
· Knowledge of communication and technology trends and solutions.
· Experience in working with staff in hybrid or virtual work environments.
· Willingness to travel within the state of Florida (reimbursed per Consortium policies).
Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000– commensurate with experience level. The Consortium provides a generous PTO/holiday system, access to health benefits, and a 401K with annual employer contribution, subject to length of employment/vesting terms.
Offices are based in Gainesville. Potential for hybrid work arrangement. Submit resume and cover letter to [email protected] by 11/8/24