Director, Communications

Lehigh Valley Public Media
Bethlehem , PA

Application Deadline: Thursday, Dec 31, 2020

Description

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

  • Lehigh Valley Public Media is the home of public television station PBS39/WLVT, the local NPR news station WLVR, and the television station WPPT, as well as the Lehigh Valley Reads and Battling Opioids initiatives. Lehigh Valley Public Media is simply the umbrella for all our brands and initiatives.
  • We are a 50-year-young non-profit located 90 minutes from Manhattan and 60 minutes from Philadelphia in the rapidly-growing Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania.
  • We are in an exciting new era for the organization, and we seek appropriate team members for these transformational new enterprises that will ensure a community that is engaged, inspired and vibrant.
  • Our Mission Statement: Lehigh Valley Public Media acts as the catalyst to promote civic engagement, and to fulfill the regional needs of the Greater Lehigh Valley through its dynamic communication platforms and resources.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Communications is responsible for creating and executing a comprehensive communications plan to support the overall marketing effort of the organization. The Director serves as a primary spokesperson and is a proactive community ambassador on behalf of the organization. They lead the development and execution of all public relations strategies and internal communications.

 MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop, steer and implement a communications plan to support the overall marketing effort
    • Media relations strategy, editorial calendar, key stakeholder communications, and internal communications
  • Lead marketing communications content developer
    • Write content to support strategy to be deployed primarily through owned and earned media
    • Write, coordinate, and proofread marketing communications content for various mediums, which may include: web pages, digital, collateral, info sheets, business presentations, membership and event materials, or other promotional materials
  • Establish and direct events strategy across the organization working collaboratively with development office
  • Serve as a primary spokesperson for the organization
  • Support community outreach initiatives (Lehigh Valley Reads)
  • Work with owned media talent to manage engagements/appearances
  • Monitor and report PR, digital media and community coverage of Lehigh Valley Public Media or any of the brands/initiatives
  • Create video properties/promotional materials, when needed, for digital marketing communications purposes
  • Attend and represent the organization at public events as part of a proactive community relations plan
  • Maintain understanding of industry trends affecting Lehigh Valley Public Media, and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy surrounding them
  • Other duties as assigned by the VP Marketing and Communications to meet the priorities of the organization

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR THE POSITION

  • Seven (7) or more years of PR/marketing experience preferred
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work tactfully and effectively with staff, board members, donors, volunteers and community members
  • Have a working knowledge of graphics applications in Adobe Suite
  • Proficiency in video editing software (Avid, Adobe Premium, Apple Final Cut) preferred. Ability to edit audio for radio is a plus
  • Understand and be able to demonstrate proper use of the newest social media practices
  • Entrepreneurial, creative and passionate with ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines, establish priorities, organize and handle a variety of projects simultaneously.
  • Event planning experience is a plus

MINIMUM DEGREE/TRAINING REQUIRED TO PERFORM POSITION’S RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English or at least seven (7) years of relevant work experience with progressively more responsible positions

COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR SUCCESS IN THE POSITION

  • Ability to prioritize responsibilities and goals
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong project management skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Attentive to the needs of internal clients

 

For additional information about this position, please contact:

Laura Hamel

 wlvtapplicant@wlvt.org