JOB PURPOSE

The communications officer acts as an operational conductor and creative producer for the content, campaigns, brand and audience workstreams. This role works to take strategies and plans and turn them into actionable steps. The position also leads and guides the work from start to completion in partnership with the team, other colleagues and strategic partners like consultants and contractors. The goal is to help the team have the highest impact possible. This role functions less as a traditional content creator and more as a cross-functional communications lead and creative producer who guides projects, partners and processes from concept through execution. The communications officer role is part of a three person communications team (communications associate, communications officer, communications director) with close ties to most of the other teams and people at the Bush Foundation. The role is managerial in scope and responsibility but does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CONTENT & CAMPAIGNS

• Lead and manage key communications activities and initiatives that amplify Bush’s impact,highlighting how the individuals and organizations it supports are driving innovative solutions and creating meaningful change across the region.
• Grow and adapt the Foundation’s content and messaging across its grantmaking programs, tailoring communications for diverse platforms to effectively engage core audiences
• Shape and manage effective ways to continuously source content ideas to distribute through the Foundation’s core channels - website, newsletters, social media and printed materials
• Identify and develop the content and tools needed to equip staff, board members, BushFellows and grantees to be effective communicators for the organization
• Provide content guidance and collaborate closely with staff on their public presentations, such as helping to shape the subject and developing highly engaging, audience-centric content
• Review and edit written content for various uses including the website, social media, newsletter and others

BRAND & AUDIENCE

• Manage and monitor how the Foundation’s brand is being used and provide Bush Fellows and grantees with resources and tools that make it simple for them to talk about their work and how the Foundation is supporting it
• Identify and develop useful and effective brand practices, and train staff and partners to apply them consistently, ensuring a cohesive and accurate presentation of the Foundation across communities
• Lead implementation of audience curation and strategy work with strategic partners such as consultants and other partners, to ensure the Foundation is reaching people and organizations throughout our grantmaking region
• Maintain and update ‘Bush’ brand visual and written usage guides and provide annual training to staff
• Manage relationships, workflows and deliverables with external creative, media and strategic partners.

CROSS-ORGANIZATIONAL WORK

• Build proactive partnerships across programs and teams to identify opportunities to strengthen storytelling, audience engagement and public understanding of Bush’s work and impact
• Contribute to cross-foundation work and learning that advances the Foundation’s overall strategic goals
• This would include activities like foundation priorities, community engagement, learning sessions, equity projects, ad hoc work groups, events and committees
• Actively demonstrate operating values in performing all duties