The communications associate is a professional staff member responsible for assisting communications officers/senior communications officers and program teams in the development, implementation, management, evaluation and monitoring of national communications projects involving dissemination, media relations, public relations, branding, social marketing and other communications activities.
Primary responsibilities include supporting communications and program team strategic planning and decision-making; interacting with and providing support to Foundation programs and grantees; providing background research and analysis to assist in designing and implementing new initiatives; evaluating proposals and monitoring and measuring the progress of communications strategies projects and grants. Communications associates will work collaboratively with team directors to advance communications for team goals and initiatives.
Essential Duties:
Program Development, Monitoring, and Communications
* Reviews and critiques proposals for grants, communications projects, and contracts and makes recommendations to communications officers about potential Foundation support. Summarizes review and recommendations in memoranda and oral presentations.
* Participates in the development, implementation, management, monitoring and assessment of communications planning and activities for team-specific and Foundation-wide programs and initiatives.
* Responds to routine requests for communications assistance from grantees and other funders.
Learning and Dissemination
* Assists communications officers in implementing and managing a team-centered communications model that fosters Foundation impact.
* Helps team members, and particularly communications officers and team program associates, to disseminate team-based products that demonstrate team and Foundation-wide impact, including content to be featured on rwjf.org.
* Writes and disseminates regular reports on communications activities, developments and results to internal and external audiences.
Team Functioning
* Is responsible for actively participating in team activities and improving team functioning, including compliance with team norms.
Grantmaking and Contracting Processes
* Supports communications officers and teams in managing a portfolio of communications projects for the Foundation and providing communications assistance to grantees.
* Works directly with other RWJF staff, grantees, other funders, consultants and contractors. Coordinates and participates substantively in meetings, conference calls and presentations to advance planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring.
* Researches, writes and edits proposals and prepares presentations for review by Foundation staff and Board.
* Prepares oral and written syntheses and summaries of project proposals and status.
* Monitors the work of consultants, contractors, and grantees.
Foundation and Field Contributions
* Prepares written materials, which often includes editing the work of RWJF staff, grantees and freelance writers to reflect Foundation-wide communications standards.
* Plans and develops a variety of content, including social media, for program team Web sites.
* Handles special projects as assigned by the assistant vice president, communications officers, and vice president for Communications.
* Conducts presentations on communications issues and Foundation activities for RWJF staff, grantees and other audiences.
* Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Experience and Qualifications:
* Master’s degree or equivalent education and experience in a related field; or Bachelor’s degree plus two (2) years directly related experience and/or training.
* Two (2) years of related work experience in communications, public policy, and/or health policy, preferably in the non-profit or government sector; experience with or knowledge of philanthropy desirable.
* Excellent persuasive writing and editing skills—samples required.
* Excellent analytic skills and ability to synthesize and translate complicated material into clear and simple language.
* High level of intellectual curiosity.
* Excellent oral presentation skills.
* Excellent interpersonal skills; collegial, collaborative, versatile, energetic, eager and willing to learn, a team player able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
* Personally motivated to support the Foundation’s mission and goals; creative, versatile, flexible; able to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to novel and innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals.
* Strong project and people management skills, including demonstrated ability to think independently, to be flexible and to juggle multiple priorities for multiple managers, and to be tolerant of ambiguity and differences in grant making approaches.
* Excellent communications skills—including listening.
* Strong research and electronic communications skills, including use of Internet
* Strong oral presentation skills.
* Good judgment and maturity. Ability to make decisions and justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with proposal applicants.
* Ability to work in a highly collaborative and team environment.
* Ability to travel as required.
Additional Information:
This two-year term position will be assigned to the Childhood Obesity and Quality/Equality teams.
Post Date:
Mar 29, 2010
Deadline Date:
Apr 23, 2010
To apply:
Submit your resume, salary history/expectations and interest letter online.