Communications Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

· Manage the production of three newsletters from conception through execution, including selecting and writing stories, collaborating with internal staff to generate supplemental graphics and images, and handling distribution.

· Write and edit internal communications.

· Assist director with responses to media inquiries; and

· Monitor media email account and disseminate inquiries to appropriate internal department.

· Track media mentions and create reports detailing press coverage.

· Coordinate with internal departments to identify and foster opportunities for media pitches.

· Coordinate with internal departments in the development of content for website including but not limited to writing and editing news posts, FAQs, reference materials.

· Support the digital media manager in their oversight of social media platforms.

· Translate policies, procedures, and data into easy-to-understand copy.

· Monitor the media marketplace to stay up-to-date on the latest tools and software.

· Contribute meaningfully to communications strategy, brand identity and other discussions.

· Clearly and effectively communicate with DCHA staff and stakeholders.

· Assign and monitor work of subordinate employees.

· Performs other related duties as assigned.

QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

· Some knowledge and understanding of the mission, objectives and policies of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA)

· Demonstrated skill and proficiency in producing written materials that convey complex information to varied audiences, including those with varying levels of English proficiency, while under tight deadlines

· Knowledge of industry leading platforms and technologies (Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, TikTok, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Repost, Splice, InShot, Canva, etc.)

· Familiar with industry leading software (Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, etc.)

· Demonstrated skill and proficiency in the use of personal computers and the application of required software, i.e., Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel

· Ability to work independently and with teams to complete projects; and under tight deadlines

· Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail

· Ability to politely and effectively interact and communicate with customers, and present ideas clearly

· Excellent written and verbal skills in English

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or other related field, and at least two years’ related experience; or the equivalent combination of education and/or experience which meet the minimum qualifications requirement may be substituted

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be capable of using personal computer and software such as MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.; and must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; and gives appropriate recognition to others.

Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating, and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; makes self available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; fosters quality focus in others; improves processes, products, and services; and continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Business Acumen: Understands business implications of decisions; demonstrates knowledge of market; and aligns work with strategic goals.

Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; and uses intuition and experience to complement data.

Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency, and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of internal and external customers; responds to the needs of internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external)

Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; and listens effectively.

Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and does one’s fair share of work.

The supervisor determines objectives; the Communications Manager, together with the supervisor, develops projects and assignments. The Communications Manager plans and carries out assignments, developing working relationships with DCHA managers, staff and stakeholders as appropriate.

Completed work is reviewed for achievement of stated objectives and compliance with department specifications, policies and protocol.

Guidelines used include instructions, laws, regulations, policies and directives and department design specifications, design books, DCHA/OPAC brand and protocol.

The employee uses judgment in interpreting and applying the guidelines. The supervisor is available for assistance on unusual interpretations/applications.

The work involves performing a variety of duties involved in effective written communication, internal messaging, and development and maintenance of external relationships, in particular those between DCHA and members of the press.

The purpose of the work is to establish, foster and maintain a positive brand through enhanced communications between DCHA and its various internal and external stakeholders.

Contacts are with staff and management throughout the DCHA, stakeholders, other governmental offices and agencies, the business community, organizations, institutions, vendors, clients, and the general public.

The purpose of the contacts is to glean information about DCHA’s policies, programs, objectives, services and activities to inform internal messaging and media responses.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or listen. The employee is also occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The work is performed primarily in an office setting, including meetings, conferences and workshops, and at off-site events, including customer engagements, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, etc. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and/or verification of work history.

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check. Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment

This person would be main point of contact for media if i was on vacation, out of office for extended period of time.

need HR insight on best way to include this