Communications Specialist

About the Program

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Specialist will help support teams, programs, and initiatives across the organization.

In this role, you will educate and engage different audiences and sectors as we grow a movement of people motivated to make a difference - including community advocates, other nonprofit organizations, elected officials, foster families, youth, donors and partners, and the general public. The Communications Specialist will:

Support targeted efforts to educate key populations about the Federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Voucher program.
40-50% of youth who age out of foster care will experience homelessness within
18 months. This is happening despite the availability of a federal resource designed specifically to provide housing to youth transitioning out of foster care:
Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Housing Choice Vouchers. The reasons for this gap are complex, but we believe Massachusetts can do more to leverage these vouchers and make them accessible to youth who need them-and that strategic communication is a key piece of this puzzle. With support from Liberty Mutual Foundation, Hope Well has teamed up with two other nonprofits to address this challenge and ensure all youth aging out of foster care have the safe, stable housing they need to grow and thrive.

Support a wide range of organizational communications efforts, including but not limited to writing and designing materials, search engine optimization, and social media.

Support our fundraising team by creating compelling annual appeals and donor communications.

Please note that this is currently a grant-funded position for a 3-year duration, with the possibility to extend longer-term.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for a communications professional who wants to utilize their unique skills to build awareness and support around the life-changing work we're doing on behalf of children, adults, and families  ideal candidate is a strategic, creative, and detail-oriented communicator with a passion for social justice and a deep understanding of the issues facing the communities we support (or a willingness to learn!)

We are seeking someone with top-tier writing and graphic design skills, who is fluent in digital media and marketing, such as social media and web strategy.

Your Impact Will Include (Job Responsibilities)

The Communications Specialist role will focus on three main bodies of work:

#1:
Special Project: FYI Vouchers

With support from our Director of Communications and Policy & Advocacy team, the Communications Specialist will create and disseminate educational and marketing materials for key groups, including elected officials, youth, child welfare organizations, and more.

This work will involve developing and implementing a targeted communications strategy and calendar. The Communications Specialist will craft and help distribute audience-specific content, including:

• Social Media:
  Create and post thoughtful social media content, including managing paid advertising.
• Website and Blog Content:
  Highlight stories, key information, and tools/resources related to FYI vouchers and other youth services.
• Presentations:
  Create clear and persuasive PowerPoint decks for a variety of audiences.
• Print Materials:
  Write, design, and produce brochures, fact sheets, and other collateral for distribution to target audiences.
• Media Relations:
  Draft press releases and media alerts. Coordinate media inquiries about FYI vouchers. Help identify opportunities to connect with journalists, radio/TV reporters, writers, and podcast producers to elevate our expertise and leadership in this area.

#2:
Organizational Communications

Writing, Design, & Content

• Create high-quality, well-designed materials (such as Power Points, brochures, and one-pagers).
• Write short-form content, including fact checking, editing, and incorporating feedback along the way.
• Ensure consistent visual identity and on-brand messaging throughout Hope Well's footprint.

Social Media

• Craft and implement a social media strategy to grow Hope Well's visibility and engagement.
• Regularly create and post content and manage Hope Well's accounts (Linked In, Facebook, and You Tube).

Newsletter

• Write and design a quarterly newsletter using Constant Contact.
• Implement best practices and creative thinking for email marketing, including audience growth, list segmentation, A/B testing, and staying up to date on field-tested strategies.

Website & Digital Marketing

• Use Word Press (Elementor) to develop new web content, such as blogs, toolkits/resources, photo albums, and specialized landing pages. Update existing web content, as needed.
• Review SEO metrics and make adjustments to content accordingly.
• Develop and implement digital advertising strategies - including running paid social media campaigns, coordinating with a vendor to maximize our Google nonprofit ads grant, and identifying other opportunities for impact.

Partnerships & Programs

• Collaborate with the Director of…