Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Why work at The Lift Garage is a well‑established car repair shop with a unique blend of business and service. We are an unconventional nonprofit that provides low‑cost car repair to qualifying Minnesotans. We deeply value hospitality for our neighbors, customers, donors, and anyone who may find themselves engaged with our work. We offer a kind, diverse, collaborative, and fun work environment.

At The Lift Garage, we value Excellence, Respect, Opportunity, and Justice.

The Communications Specialist role is crucial in advancing the mission of low‑cost car repair through external communication with prospective and current donors, institutional funders, partners, media, and customers. Your dedication to communication and marketing at The Lift will actively contribute to our mission of breaking down transportation barriers by providing low‑cost car repair for our neighbors, which keeps everyone safer on the roads.

The Communications Specialist is on the Development and Communications team and will be supervised by the Director of Development and Communications. In addition to the Director, the Development and Communications team includes a Development Specialist, a Database and Donor Management Specialist, and a contract grant writer. This position will supervise The Lift’s Marketing Intern whose primary focus is content creation.

This is a full‑time, exempt position with a hybrid work schedule including one day in the office each week.

• Fundraising and Nonprofit Communication (45%):
  Identify, solicit, and cultivate relationships with customers, donors, staff, and stakeholders to develop campaigns, write content, and distribute impact stories through a variety of channels including direct mail appeals, social media, emails, SEO blog posts and website. Lead, plan, and manage The Lift’s annual communications calendar by directly developing or overseeing the creation of content.
• Digital Strategy (30%):
  Develop and implement digital strategies to increase engagement and reach. Manage and curate content for various online platforms while monitoring trends and best practices to adjust strategies accordingly. Develop all non‑customer focused website updates, ensuring content is current, engaging, and aligned with The Lift’s goals, voice, and values.
• Style Guide and External Branding (15%):
  Maintain The Lift’s internal and external style guide to ensure consistency in messaging and branding. Train staff to stay on brand and within messaging standards to be the most impactful. Work with internal staff and external volunteers to source and curate high‑quality images that align with the brand, while overseeing and managing the image library, keeping it up to date, organized, and accessible.
• Media (10%):
  In partnership with the Leadership Team, cultivate and maintain relationships with media companies, including magazines, local news outlets, and national news organizations. Coordinate interviews and key talking points when The Lift is featured.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or related fields.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling fundraising campaigns.
• Experience with relevant design and communication tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, , and Word Press.
• Experience in managing, executing, and analyzing communications and marketing strategy.
• Specific experience with and knowledge of cars is not required.

• Attention to Detail
• Accountability
• Data analysis and research
• Adaptability
• Active Listening
• Critical thinking

Salary: This is a full‑time, exempt position with an annual salary of $60,000–$63,000 per year.
Full‑time benefits: Paid holidays (10 days/year), paid vacations (15 days the first year), sick time off (10 days/year), retirement savings with a 4% employer contribution (non‑match, vested immediately) to a 403(b), mileage/travel reimbursement at the government rate, short- and long‑term disability, parental leave, and health, dental, vision, and life insurance.

Location: Minneapolis, MN.…