Communications Manager

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is seeking a Communications Manager to plan and execute effective marketing and communications messaging that supports the organization's programming and fundraising goals. Successful candidates will be enthusiastic, organized, and effective communicators with experience in the areas of written communication, fundraising, public relations, website and social media management, email campaigns, and print design. Exceptional candidates will also bring people leadership skills and/or database management skills.

The Communications Manager is a hybrid role with remote work and two days per week collaborating with our neurodiverse team at our St. Paul, MN office.

About Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM)

AuSM enhances the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Founded in 1971, AuSM serves Minnesotans, throughout their lives, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building.

Description

The Communications Manager reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for leading strategic marketing, written communication, fundraising, public relations, website and social media management, email campaigns, and print design. The Communications Manager utilizes writing and communication skills, primarily for internet media, to market the organization's programs and services, make fundraising appeals, inform the public about autism, manage social media presence, and support advocacy initiatives.

This position is part of the Advancement Department (fundraising, events, and communications) and works closely with program staff, leadership, and external partners. The Communications Manager is a wide-ranging role that is critical in strengthening the organization's brand and managing the public perception of the organization as Minnesota's first autism resource.

Primary Responsibilities

• Strategy:
  Lead and implement strategic marketing and communication initiatives that strengthen the organization's brand, elevate its public image, and foster meaningful engagement with community partners, funders, and volunteers.
• Planning:
  Plan and oversee a comprehensive marketing and communications plan leveraging project management tools.
• Implementation:
  Execute strategies that promote the organization's services via various communication mediums, develop effective messaging, and implement all marketing strategies and public relations activities.
• Fundraising:
  Support fundraising by managing online giving tools, campaigns, and communications.
• Collaboration:
  Coordinate all aspects of external communication, marketing, and public relations in partnership with the leadership team, programs department, and events team.
• Branding:
  Ensure brand, tone, visual elements, and style are consistent for all organizational messaging, emphasizing inclusive and accessible communication.
• Public Relations:
  Draft and distribute press releases and position statements while managing media relationships on behalf of the organization.
• Marketing Campaigns:
  Plan and execute marketing campaigns from conception through analysis, including campaigns focused on fundraising, events, programs, awareness, and more.
• Research:
  Stay current with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in autism and marketing to continuously improve messaging quality and campaign performance.
• Messaging:
  Craft effective messaging that leverages storytelling, unique value propositions, and compelling calls to action to share the impact of the organization's work and motivate donors.
• People Leadership:
  Manage 1-2 part-time employees and/or independent contractors supporting development, marketing, and communications functions.

Shared Responsibilities

Following the selection of the Communications Manager, the organization expects to hire a Communications Coordinator to share responsibilities and complement the skills of the Communications Manager.

• Multimedia Messaging:
  Implement communications strategies and create educational resources online and in print, leveraging multimedia, video, images, graphics, and compelling copy.
• Social Media Management:
  Manage the…