Communications Manager

About Us: Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan provides quality healthcare to 50,000 patients.  Our service area, where we can provide health and education services and raise funds, is in Berrien, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Van Buren, Wayne, Washtenaw, Genesee, Shiawassee and Saginaw counties.  We currently have 15 health centers in Ann Arbor (2), Benton Harbor, Brighton, Detroit, East Lansing, Jackson, Lansing, Livonia, Warren, Ypsilanti, Flint, Burton, Owosso, and Saginaw.

Position Summary:                  
The Communications Manager is responsible for the management of all projects and programs that support PPMSM, PPAM and PAC goals in the areas of marketing, communications, media and public relations, electronic messaging, publication production and web maintenance. This position will work strategically and collaboratively to further the mission of the organization through its communication with all stakeholders and constituents.

Essential Functions:

o   Create key messages and themes

o   Identify proactive story ideas

o   Prepare talking points and responses for media inquiries

o   Write and issue media advisories and press releases

o   Follow, track and report media coverage

o   Maintain and update press/media list and contact information

• Marketing—manage communications and publications that support medical, education, advocacy and legislative goals including:

o   Design and supervise production of brochures, templates, newsletters, invitations, flyers and presentation materials

o   Support all aspects of fundraising communications efforts including development of outreach themes, writing of direct mail solicitations, donor update letters and newsletter content

o   Develop innovative and creative marketing strategies to recruit patients

o   Stategically use social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to advance marketing goals

o   Support special events, political advocacy and training programs

o   Lead and implement plan to increase strategic use of electronic messaging to support PPMSM and PPAM agendas including advocacy  issues and calls to action, and PPMSM and PAC fundraising programs

o   Maintain PPMSM website and develop ideas to increase its effectiveness

o   Stay abreast of industry research and trends in the area of social marketing, providing advice and expertise to leadership

o   Participate as a productive and integrated member of the Development and Communications Department.

o   Manage and oversee communications and marketing budget

o   Coordinate and collaborate with PPMSM and PPAM staff

Standards of  Performance:            
It is the expectation of the organization that the minimum standards are:

• Completion of all responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.

• Compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

• Commitment to quality healthcare and excellent customer service.  Further, exhibits concern for both internal and external customer needs.

• Approachable presentation of self and a visible willingness to assist patients and fellow staff members. 

• Maintains a sense of urgency, consistently meet deadlines; accomplish work in order of priority; professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.

• At all times maintain confidentiality, establish credibility, and exhibit the highest degree of integrity.

Required Competencies:           

• Judgment—Acts as a sounding board for others prior to decisions. Is looked upon by others as someone with sound judgment and is a resource for them. Makes excellent decisions that result in value added improvements for the Organization.
• Creativity or Innovation—Demonstrates the ability to generate novel and valuable ideas and to use the ideas to develop new or improved processes, methods, or systems.
• Conceptual Thinking—recognizes connections or patterns between situations that are not obvious to others, and identifies the key or underlying issues in complex situations.
• Expertise (Technical or Procedural)—Applies, maintains and improves extensive or in-depth specialized knowledge or skills to accomplish a result or to serve one’s customers effectively (customers can be co-workers, peers, managers as external consumers of a service).
• Initiative—Evaluates, selects, and acts on various methods and strategies for solving problems and meeting objectives before being asked or required to do so; self-starting rather than passively complying with instructions or work orders.
• Organizational Awareness—Demonstrates a comprehensive awareness of the impact and implications of decisions and actions on other units within one’s own organization.
• Planning/Organizing—Establishes a systematic course of action for self or others to assure accomplishment of a specific objective. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively.
• Teamwork—Able to develop cooperation and work collaboratively toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.
• Written Communication—Demonstrates the ability to clearly express ideas, thoughts, and concepts in writing, using correct and appropriate grammar, organization, and structure..
• Valuing Diversity—Demonstrating respect for individual differences (including cultural differences and diverse ways of thinking or approaching issues); establishing a climate in which all people can be comfortable and productive; communicating effectively with and in multiple cultures; understanding how culture influences people’s behavior.
• Professionalism—Encourages and reminds others to act in a businesslike and professional manner. Takes extra effort to improve knowledge and skills to be the best in the profession. Adheres to the highest level of professionalism by demonstrating honesty, integrity and maturity.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in a related field from an accredited college or university

• Five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience in graphic design/layout, HTML, and website maintenance preferred. 

• Knowledge of Michigan media outlets, especially in the Detroit area also preferred.

Knowledge/Skills Required

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills; ability to develop messages and reach target audiences. 

• Superior project management and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities. 

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs.

Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan In addition to competitive salaries, offers outstanding health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 403B and a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.  PPMSM also offers paid-time off to full and part-time benefit eligible employees.  

Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer